FINDING A WAY TO PROTECT REFS: A LISTENER WRITES IN

A note from Rick Wolff: We all know that, sadly, amateur sports all over this country continue to make negative news too often. But that being said, I do believe that there’s a solid core of coaches, parents, and refs out there who are eager to get sportsmanship, civility, and respect back on track.

I don’t know Bob West, but I wanted to share his email and platform with you. As you’ll read, he’s doing some truly important and essential work to make sports safe again. God bless him!

Dear Mr. Wolff: My name is Bob West, and I was the wrestling referee that was headbutted in Colville, WA in 1996, by a HS wrestler and knocked unconscious. I enjoyed your podcast on the decline of sportsmanship and interview with Bob Delaney. I am presently writing a book called "Rage on the Field" and the decline of sportsmanship today, which should be published in the next few months. I have a website I maintain at www.ur-safe.org (Umpires and Referees Stopping Assaults for Ever.) Most important it has archives of assaults against sports officials going back to the 1960's at all levels. I have worked with NASO over the years as a staunch advocate and also will be pursuing legislation in Washington State (HB1096) that would make assaulting a sport official a class C felony. If your listeners need any info or help pursuing legislation in their area to please contact me at 509-992-2939 c or refman50@comcast.net. I was able to get a resolution passed but am hopeful to get this bill across the finish line. Thanks for all you do. Bob West.