BAD ACTS ARCHIVES

Bad Acts By Year: (2008) (2007) (2005-2006) (Prior to 2005)

Bad Acts By Sport: (Baseball) (Basketball) (Cheer) (Football) (Soccer) (Softball)

Special Cases: (Closed Gyms) (Conduct Codes) (Judicial Reviews) (Officials Attacked) (Parents and Relatives) (Post-game handshakes) (Pepper Spray and Police Actions) (Shootings/Stabbings etc...) (Specific Schools, Leagues, Organizations And Others)

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Bad Acts By Year

Bad Acts - 2007

Rockville, MD - December 18, 2007 - Fans Call African-American B-Baller "Monkey"! See, Students Accused of Racially Taunting Basketball Player, NCB4.com.

December 7, 2007 - Game Called! Spectators Throw Objects On Court At HS Basketball Game. See Unruly Fans Cut Maginn Rout Short, Albany Times Union, December 7, 2007.

Nov. 23, 2007 - Youth Hockey Brawl In 8 Year Old Players' League Roils Canada: Coaches Will Not Be Charged For Their Role In The Fight. Click Here For Video From Mediascrape.com. Click here for Nov. 29, 2007 Toronto Globe and Mail video update on globeandmail.com. For the print story, see: 8 Year Olds In Hockey Brawl, Toronto Star, November 27, 2007.

Half Moon Bay, CA - Half Moon Bay High School Fans Have A Tradition of Streaking During High School Football Games and Allegedly Have Used Racial or Homophobic Epithets Against Visiting Teams On More Than One Occasion. See Racial Slurs Spark Fury by Heather Murtagh, San Mateo Daily Journal, Nov. 9, 2007; and Sequoia Threatens Penalty In Football Melee by Jason Goldman-Hall, San Francisco Examiner, Nov. 9, 2007, and No Proof About Who Taunted Sequoia High Players, Fans by Jill Tucker, San Francisco Chronicle, Nov. 9, 2007 page B8.

Streaking, Racial and Homophobic Slurs, and Overall Poor Sportsmanship At Half Moon Bay High School Football Games Sparks Civil Grand Jury Investigation. See Grand Jury Questions HMB High School Plans, San Mateo Daily Journal, July 15, 2008. See San Mateo County Grand Jury Report of 2008 on Addressing Unacceptable Behavior At Half Moon Bay High School Sporting Events..

Windsor, CA - October 28, 2007 - Soccer Coach Exposes Buttocks To Opposing Girls' Team, San Jose Mercury News, October 28, 2007 (an angry adult coach allegedly moons the opposing team after a heated youth soccer game); Also see Coach Accused of Exposing Buttocks, Yahoo News, October 29, 2007.

Colorado Springs, CO - October 25, 2007 - Coach on Trial On Charges Of Hitting Boys In Groin, CBS4 Denver, Oct. 25, 2007 (Monument Academy Basketball Coach Gregory Burr allegedly uses a rather strange motivational technique: one of the boys required surgery).

Saginaw, MI - October 25, 2007 - Spectator Violence: Fan Shoots 4 At Middle School Football Game. This is the latest in a series of incidents involving violent spectators this year. See Cops: 4 Students Shot At Middle School Football Game, foxnews.com, October 25, 2007.

Southington, CT - October 24, 2007 - Did Football Players Stab Opponents At High School Football Game? See Unsportsmanlike Conduct at High School Football Game, WTNH Connecticut News Channel 8, October 24, 2007. Investigation Indicates Cuts Were Probably Caused by Sharp Edges on Equipment. See Foul Play In Game Called Unlikely by Ken Byron, Hartford Courant, Oct. 27, 2007. Were the charges against East Hartford racially motivated? Click here to see Racial Allegations Flying Back and Forth From on-line Connecticut readers. This alleged incident seems to have struck an ugly chord with Connecticut football fans.

Morris, IL - October 16, 2007 - Felony Charge Filed After Soccer Game Altercation: Morris man grabbed referee by throat during soccer game by Michael Farrell, Morris Daily Herald, Oct. 16, 2007.

Lansing, MI - October 12, 2007 - Another Bench Clearing HS Football Brawl - This One's in Lansing, MI. For video, see Football Brawl Between Lansing-Everett and Jackson, WILX.com Lansing, Oct. 13, 2007. Also, see Major Brawl Breaks Out at HS Game, WLNS.com Lansing, Oct. 13, 2007. For Superintendent's suspensions and video, see Officials Hand Out Penalties After HS Brawl, WLNS.com Lansing, Oct. 16, 2007.

Broward County, FL - October 5, 2007 - 66 Players Suspended After Huge Bench-Clearing Brawl in Florida High School Football. See Dozens of Broward Football Players To Be Suspended, FHSAAsports.com, October 5, 2007; High School Football Brawl Leads To Recommended Suspensions, NBC6.net, South Florida, October 5, 2007; Click here for fight video.

Tampa, FL - October 4, 2007 - High School Football Game Ends, Brawl Begins by Beth Gaddis, Tampa Bay Online.com. Six players engage in post-game handshake line brawl during the Alonso and Jefferson High School Junior Varsity football game.

Olympia, WA - October 1, 2008 - Penalties Likely For Parents In Sports Fight by Heather Woodward, The Olympian.

Tampa, FL - September 27, 2007 - FHSAA Levies Suspensions, Fines, Probation In TBT -Freedom Melee, by Joe Smith, TampaBay.com (reprint of St. Petersburg Times article).

Aspen Hill, MD - Sept. 22, 2007 - Pee Wee Football Coach Takes "Kill The Ref" Seriously - Pulls Gun on Ref at Little League Football Game. See Youth Football Coach Charged With Assaulting Ref by Dennis Edwards, WKJZ TV 13 Baltimore, Sept. 30, 2007. The coach was charged with being a felon in possession of firearms on Oct. 11, 2007. Click here for DOJ press release. The League immediately issued a no-tolerance rule. See New Code of Conduct Issued For Baltimore Sports by Dennis Edwards, WKJZ TV 13 Baltimore, October 13, 2007. The coach pleaded guilty in May, 2008. See DOJ Press Release, Football Coach Pleads Guilty, March 14, 2008. Also, see Youth Football Coach Pleads Guilty To Threatening Referee, NBC4, Washington, D.C., March 14, 2008.

Ridgeville Man Faces Charge of Hitting Ref At Pee Wee Game, by Stephen Szucs, Loraine County (Ohio) Chronicle-Telegram, September 19, 2007.

Scottsdale, AZ - September 15, 2007 - Strange But True - Stadium Lights Won't Start Because Somebody Stole the Copper Wire. See Game Nixed Because of Stolen Copper Wire, FoxNews.com, September 15, 2007; Copper Wire Thieves Force End To Football Game, ABC15.com, Phoenix, September 15, 2007.

Springfield, MA - September 3, 2007 - Gang Brawl Leads To Stabbing at Football Game. See One Stabbed At High School Football Game, by Matthew Campbell, CBS Channel 3, Springfield, MA, Sept. 3, 2007 (video clip included).

Hilliard, OH - August 30, 2007 - Ohio High School Fans Tricks Opposing Fans Into Displaying "We Suck" Signs. Student Gets Suspended From School. See Student Pays For Football Game Prank, cbsnews.com, Aug. 30, 2007. Also see, Senior Pays for 'Legendary' Prank by Alayna Demartini, Columbus Dispatch, August 30, 2007. This prank was inspired by the famous Harvard vs. Yale, "We Suck" prank. Click here for photo.

Concord, NH - August 4, 2007 - Angry Fan Charged With Assault For Throwing Pizza At Little League Umpire. See Police Say Pizza Toss Was Assault by Joelle Farrell, Concord Monitor, August 4, 2007.

San Marcos, TX - July 24, 2007 - Dallas Skyline Cheerleaders Involved In Scuffle: reported by Emily Tsao, WFAA Dallas Morning News Show.

Canada, July 24, 2007 - Irate Soccer Mom Brings Game to Screeching Halt by Nick Kyonka, Toronto Star, July 24, 2007 (soccer mom attacks 14 year old female ref).

Miami, FL - July 12, 2007 - School Officials Ignore Statutory Rape So Football Team Can Win. Superintendent Lets Team Continue - Fires Coaches, and Staffers Who Knew About The Rape - See Football Spared But Coaches Ousted At Northwestern High by Tania deLuzuriaga and Andre C. Fernandez, Miami Herald, July 12, 2007, and At Miami-Northwestern: Season Saved, But Coaches Axed, USA Today Prep Rally - Online, July 11, 2007. The most telling report here is the Grand Jury Report, which contains all the ugly details. This incident tells us a lot about the all-consuming power of sports. Over 20 teachers and administrators knew about this incident. None reported it because they didn't want to hurt the football team. The Superintendent initially threatened to shut down football, angering the entire community. Ultimately, the Superintendent cleaned house of all the adults who knew, but didn't report the crime but spared the sport itself, which was probably the right thing to do.

Canada, Player, Coach Suspended After Attack On Soccer Referee, CBC News, Canada, July 12, 2007.

Southington, CT - July 3, 2007 - Adults Fight at Youth Baseball Game, WFSB.Com (story and photo of injured man).

June, 2007 Utah - In 2007, the Utah High School Activities Association placed the entire sports of boys' soccer on probation - a warning that more harsh penalties could come if players, coaches, and fans don't comport themselves better. See Boys' Soccer Teams On Probation, ksl.com, June 20, 2007; Penalty Kick by Michael Popke, Athletic Business, October 2007; Soccer Teams Get Probation by Amy Donaldson, Deseret Morning News, June 19, 2007. For original publication click here; and Sportsmanship, Not Steroids, Called Nation's Top High School Issue by Jake Trotter, morriscountyvarsity.net, July 13, 2007. The UHSA has taken quite a stand here. They monitored an increase in player ejections during the soccer season, observed spectator and player misconduct at their championship game, and even had a referee attacked in their championship game.

St. Paul, MN - June 26, 2007 - Crazed Father Threatens to Shoot Little League Coach. Click here for WCCO, St. Paul's coverage. See Also, First A Tirade, Then Threat To Shoot Coach, Charges Say by Howie Padilla and Anthony Lonetree, Minneapolis Star Tribune, June 26, 2007.

Chattanooga, TN - May 13, 2007 - Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association Takes Tough Stand Where Soccer Fans Attack Official. See Beware of Behavior by Jaime Lackey, Chattanooga Times Free Press, May 13, 2007.

Toronto, Canada - May 10, 2007 - Teen Charged After Popular Student Critically Injured Following Fight at High School Rugby Game, Toronto CityNews On-line, May 10, 2007.

Jacksonville, Fl. - April 30, 2007 - Parent Throws Soda At Teenage Volunteer Umpire/Husband Allegedly Attacks the Ump. See Little League Baseball Brawl by Kirsten Smith, First Coast News.Com - ABC 25/NBC 12 - Jacksonville, FL. For more, see Unbelievable: Parents Attack Umpire Over Call In Game by Florida Today Staff, May 4, 2007. Click here for Florida Today's special website covering Florida Little League Sportsmanship Problems.

Grapevine, TX - April 28, 2007 - Freshman Football Player Arrested, Accused of Punching Coach, USA Today, April 28, 2007. The player is a 300 pounder who punched his coach when the coach tried to break up a fight between the 300 pounder and another player. The player ultimately got probation. See Teen Gets Probation For Punching Coach by Domingo Ramirez, Jr., Fort Worth Star-Telegram, June 6, 2007.

New York, N.Y. - April 27, 2007 - Is it Self Defense or a Case of Sports Violence? See Coach Beat us With Bat: Students Say They Were Clubbed Over Cheering; Teacher Aide Rips Hooligans, by Allison Gendar, Kerry Burke and Michael White, New York Daily News, April 27, 2007

April 25, 2007 - Highlands, CA - Fight Breaks Out at Little League by Michael Sorba, Highland Community News, April 25, 2007.

Atlanta, GA. - April 25, 2007 - Numerous Unsportsmanlike Incidents From Players, Coaches, and Spectators Create Problems In Georgia. The GHSA takes strong countermeasures, granting officials power to terminate matches due to spectator misconduct. See Foul Language, Dirty Play Stain Soccer by John Manasso, Atlanta Journal-Constitution, April 25, 2007 page A1 (reprinted on Heart of Georgia Soccer Officials Association website).

Milwaukee, WI - April 23, 2007 - Police Have Tough Solution For Fighting Soccer Fan - Taser Stops Fighting Soccer Fan, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, April 23, 2007.

New York, N.Y. March 19, 2007 - Spectator Brawls In NYC Public School Basketball Finals Spills Into Streets and Subways. Gunshots Fired. NYC Cancels Night Championships in Basketball. See: Basket-Brawl Spills Onto NYC Streets, CBSNews.com, March 19, 2007; Police Arrest 21 in 'March Badness' MSG Brawl, WCBSTV.Com, March 19, 2007; High School Basketball Brawl May Bring Changes, National Public Radio - All Things Considered Show, March 19, 2007. Also See - PSAL Sounds Security Alarm by Dan Martin, New York Post, March 20, 2007 (PSAL cancels night playoff games and bans outside spectators from championship games).

Gallup, N.M., March 17, 2007 - Cheerleaders' Fracas 'Bigger Than It Is' by Bill Donovan, Gallup Independent (cheerleaders' mom scuffles with team members).

Arlee, Montana, March 11, 2007 - Ball Player's Father Banned From Events, Billings Gazette.com (school board votes to ban parent from all school activities after alleged assault on basketball coach in a post-season game).

Memphis, TN. February 26, 2007 - Mad Dad Threatens To Shoot Coach At Church Basketball Game, WMCTV.Com.

Covington, Ohio February 25, 2007 - Football Coach Attacks Opposing Fan At His Daughter's Basketball Game. See Covington Football Coach Arrested by Greg Billing, Dayton Daily News.

San Jose, CA - February 23, 2007 - High School Wrestler Attacked By Opponent's Brother in State Sectional Match. For news and video, see Police: Brothers Arrested After South Bay H.S. Wrestling Attack, NBC11.com, San Jose.

Tampa, FL. - February 16, 2007 - Dad Escorted Off Field By Sheriff Says He Wasn't Going To Attack Coach - He Just Wanted To Curse Her Out. See Father Says He Never Tried To Attack Coach by Anwar S. Richardson, Tampa Tribune's TBO.Com Blog, Feb. 16, 2007.

Chicago, IL. - February 12, 2007 - Lunatic Dad Caught On Tape Attacking 11 Year Old Wrestler: Click here for video. There's always an excuse. See: Wrestler's Dad Was Just Looking Out For His Son's Safety, Friends Say by Robert Sanchez, Dupage County Daily Herald, February 17, 2007. For more see, Dad Jumps Into Wrestling Match, Tosses Son's Opponent, ABC Channel 7 Chicago, February 16, 2007.

Providence, RI February 2, 2007 - Suspensions, Arrests Follow Hoop Melee by John Gillooly, Providence Journal, Feb. 2, 2007.

Huntington, W. VA. January 31, 2007 - O.J. Mayo, country's top hoops recruit, involved in Imperfect Storm with two technicals, a ref bump, allegations that the ref literally took a dive, and a temporary restraining order preventing O.J's suspension for his ejection from the game. Big mess in West Virginia. See USC Bound Mayo Fuels Huntington's Win at Cameron, Jan. 31, 2007 espn.com. The story was broke by the New York Times. See A Star Player, A Video and A Suspension, by Pete Thamel, New York Times January 30, 2007 (log in required). For complete local coverage, court documents and video click here for WSAZ Channel 3 in Huntington's coverage. See W.Va. star Mayo faces discipline, by Christopher Lawlor USA Today, February 2, 2007 page 11 C. Mayo to Sit Out Three Games by Travis Hubbard, The Huntington Herald-Dispatch, February 9, 2007 (in the end Mayo admits making contact with the official, the parties settle out of court and agree to accept the school's three game suspension and 13 day suspension from school). For national coverage see Huntington's O.J. Mayo Suspended For Three Games, USAToday.com, February 9, 2007.

Milwaukee, WI. January 30, 2007 - Disturbance After Basketball Game Injures 6 by Jesse Garza and Bob Purvis, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Jan. 30, 2007. Police and fans injured in this stands-clearing riot. For video click here. Milwaukee Public Schools Crack Down on Spectators After The Fight: See Fan Ban Extended For Tech, Bay View by Sarah Carr, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, February 2, 2007. For national coverage see Milwaukee Schools Punished After Rowdy Postgame Fight, USA Today February 1, 2007. For the game announcer's persective, see A Courtside View of the Tech-Bay View Brawl by Bob Brainerd, OnMilwaukee.com, Feb. 1, 2007.

New Haven, CT - January 30, 2007 - Coach Charged In Assault by Michael Gannon, New Haven Register, Jan. 30, 2007 (coach and parent fight outside arena after parent was ejected from youth hockey game for verbal abuse of opposing players). This case gets weirder as the coach and both attorneys were involved in a previous, identical case 10 years earlier. See Accused Coach Also In 1997 Fight by Gregory Hladky, New Haven Register, Feb. 4, 2007. This coach has no shame, and actually sued the league after it suspended him. See Youth Hockey Coach Accused In Assault Sues Leage After Being Banned From Practices by Randall Beach, New Haven Register, March 16, 2007.

Ironton, Ohio, January 23, 2007 - Zanesville Police Investigating After-Game Fight, The Huntington (W. VA) Herald - Dispatch, Jan. 23, 2007.

Montgomery, Ohio, January 19, 2007 - Officer Assaulted After High School Basketball Game, WLWT.com Channel 5 (the officer was hit in the head with a flower pot while breaking up a fight at a basketball game - poor sportsmanship at sports events often affects third-parties).

Pittsburgh, PA, January 18, 2007 - Did principal attack students who stormed the court after basketball game? See High School Principal Accused of Attacking Student After Event, WTAE TV Channel 4, The Pittsburgh Channel.com.

Sioux City, Iowa, January 17, 2007 - Wrestler's Parents Press Charges Against East High Coach, KTIV News Channel 4. Students, parents, coaches involved in post-wrestling match handshake line dust up. Another bad post-game handshake - this one involved a hard hand slap, a retaliatory shove, a coach allegedly pushing a student in the face, and a parent dashing out of the stands because of the post-game handshake dust-up.

Stockton, CA, January 6, 2007 - Click here: Girls' basketball fight in Stockton, CA girls' basketball game caught on film. For related article see, On-Court Altercation Prompts Police Investigation by Michael Sudhalter, Recordnet.com, January 20, 2007, Stockton, CA.

Bad Acts - 2008

Brookhaven, MS - November 22, 2008 - Mississippi's Brookhaven High School issued an interesting suspension. Following a fight involving a player, his mother and a spectator, the school suspended the head basketball coach. Brookhaven took a strong stand to pressure the coach to show leadership, but there may be details here that we'll never know. See High School Basketball Coach Suspended After Fight, Associated Press Wire published by Mississippi Sun Herald, Dec. 4, 2008.

Groveland, FL - November 20, 2008 - High School Football Team Facing Fines For Fight, Central Florida News 13.

Stuart, FL. - November 14, 2008 - Spectator Goes Nuts, Stabs 5 At High School Football Game. Cops use Tasers and Dogs to Break Up the Brawl. See Five Stabbed At Martin County High School After South Fork Game, TCPalm.com, November 15, 2008; Teen Accused of Stabbing 5 In High School Football Game Melee Still Loose, Associated Press Wire on FoxNews.com, November 17, 2008.

El Paso, TX - November 11, 2008 - Texas High School Cheerleaders Try To Win By Poisoning Opponents. See 3 Chapin Dancers Suspended In Tampering Of Snacks by Zahira Torres, El Paso Times.

Framingham, MA - November 11, 2008 - 100 Fans Rush Field in Wild Soccer Brawl. See Soccer Fight Being Investigated, MIAA Says by Norman Miller, MetroWest Daily News (Framingham, MA), November 14, 2008.

Nampa, Idaho - October 31, 2008 - Nampa High School Football Player Arrested For Punching Coach, KTRV - Fox 12, Boise, Idaho; and S. Idaho High School Football Player Arrested, Associated Press Wire, Oct. 31, 2008.

Seattle, WA - October 22, 2008 - Renton, Tyee Forfeit After Football Fight by Sandy Ringer, Seattle Times. It's bad enough that these schools had a fight, but this is a troubled league. In 2007-08, four schools had five players or more receive ejections. The problem is bad enough that the State High School Association has stepped in to try to work with league officials to come up with solutions.

Atlanta, GA - October 11, 2008 - Lakeside, Stone Mountain Game Turns Ugly Late by Todd Holcomb, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Seven player fight leads to early end in this Georgia football game.

Vestal, N.Y. - October 7, 2008 - Soccer game marred by spectator allegedly yelling a racial slur at African-American girls JV soccer players. See Horseheads Girls Forfeit Over Alleged Racial Slur by Nancy Doolilng, Ithaca Journal, Oct. 7, 2008. When these things happen, if you don't catch the offending party red-handed, you often have trouble proving it. That's what happened here. See No Evidence of Racial Slurs, Say Vestal Officials by Nancy Dooling, Ithaca Journal, Oct. 8, 2008, and Racial Slur Reports To Be Released by Nancy Dooling, Ithaca Journal, Oct. 9, 2008.

Amherst, Ohio - September 24, 2008 - Parent Accused of Attacking Youth Football Coach, newsnet5. This is a confluence of unprofessionalism that turned ugly. The parent kept yelling at the coach to run a sweep. Finally, the coach did, and the play was unsuccessful. The coach then allegedly told the parent, "There's your sweep" and the parent allegedly responded by beating up the coach. Poor professionalism by a clearly frustrated coach and even worse thuggery by the idiot parent.

Salt Lake City, UT - September 22, 2008 - Parent allegedly hits an assistant coach with a helmet, knocking the coach out. See Parent Accused of Attacking Football Coach by Buddy Blankenfeld, ABC4.

Houston, TX - September 6, 2008 - Fight at High School Football Game Leads To Freeway Shooting, Fox 26 TV Houston.

Florence, SC - August 28, 2008 - Bench Clearing Brawl, Multiple Arrests, Helmet Swinging Mar Season Opener for South Carolina's Defending Football State Champs. See Brawl Mars Lake City's Upset Win Over Wilson by Kevin Smetana, South Carolina Now, August 29, 2008.

Wichita, KS - August 22, 2008 - We Thought Sportsmanship Bottomed Out When A Youth Baseball Coach Mooned The Umpire in Pittsburgh last week (See Coach Charged With 'Mooning' Umpire, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, August 15, 2008) now we know better. A debate coach mooned his opponent at Fort Hays State University. We have truly stooped to a new low. See Kansas University Fires Mooning Debate Coach, by Roxana Hegeman, Associated Press on yahoo.com, August 22, 2008. Click here for NPR coverage (In an interesting addition to the story, NPR says Coach William Shanahan argued with and mooned the opposing coach because he respected her). Click here for Fox News coverage.

Forsyth County, GA - August 21, 2008 - 9 Year Old Cheerleader's Mother Involved In Sports Rage Incident. Michele Rains, the mother, allegedly attacked the head of the Sharon Springs Cheerleading Association because she thought her daughter should have been transferred to a more experienced cheer squad. See Cheerleader's Mom Faces Battery Charge by Nancy Badertscher, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, August 21, 2008; click here for San Francisco Examiner version of the same story.

Pittsburgh, PA - August 15, 2008 - Sportsmanship 'Bottoms' Out. Coach Charged With 'Mooning' Umpire, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, August 15, 2008. Fayette County, PA youth coach "Jeffrey Kelley" is facing a disorderly conduct charge for his alleged "mooning" incident. For more see, Local Youth Baseball Coach Accused of Mooning Umpire, WPIX, Pittsburgh, Pa., August 15, 2008.

Ump Attacked, Fans Cheer. See Assault on Umpire 'Sickening', Fans Say by Kevin Cole and Susan Szalewski, Omaha World-Herald (Umpire Charles Andersen attacked, alleged assailant, Jeffrey Johnson, was father of one of the players). For More See: Umpire Alleges He Was Assaulted at Boys' Baseball Game, KETV 7, Omaha, NB, July 14, 2008. The Gretna Youth Baseball and Softball Association Took Strong Action Here. See Dad Banned From Games After Ump Bump: Gretna League Also Suspends Coaches, KETV 7, July 18, 2008, and The Umpire Strikes Back. See Bumped Umpire Files Lawsuit: Attorney Says He's Asking For Damages, KETV 7, Omaha, NB, July 30, 2008.

New Zealand - July 24, 2008 - Pushy Sports Parents: It's An International Problem, Too. 8 Year Old Ukranian Girl Banned From Tennis Tournament After Being Caught Getting Coaching Advice From Dad Through Hidden Earpiece. Dad Says He's Not A Pushy Sports Parent. Sound Familiar! See Earpiece Sees Tennis Youngster Banned, TV One News, New Zealand.

Philadelphia, PA - July 21, 2008 - Referee Gets Shot - Youth League Cancelled. See Shooting Victim Had Been Target Before by Kia Gregory, Philadelphia Inquirer, July 23, 2008.

Miramar, FL - July 12, 2008 - Summer Football Game Turns Ugly. See Pahokee Football Game Ends In Brawl by Jason Lieser, Palm Beach Post.

Jersey City, N.J. - July 5, 2008 - New Jersey Umpire Attack May Lead To Sports Rage Legislation. After New Jersey Parole Officer Thomas Lambert was charged with assaulting a 14 year old youth baseball umpire, New Jersey Assemblyman Ruben Ramos decided to work on sports rage legislation, mandating signage and public service announcements at all ball fields throughout the state reminding spectators about existing statutes that guard against sports rage at children's events.. Will it pass? We'll keep track of it. For details on the attack click here Also, see Father Seeks Changes After Son's 'Sports Rage' Incident by Melinda Vickerman, 1010 Wins, New York, July 24, 2008. Vickerman writes the The Jersey Mom Column in the Jersey Journal. Click here for a link to the Jersey Journal..

Columbus, Ohio - July 3, 2008 - High School Football: Two Fights In Stands Mar All-Star Game - Inaugural City League Contest Is Called With Eight Minutes Remaining by Mark Znidar, Columbus Dispatch.

Nashville, TN - July 3, 2008 - Tennessee Little League Parents Fight In Holiday Championshp Game. See Little League Game Erupts In Fight, 911 Call, Reported by Catharyn Campbell, WSMV TV 4, Nashville. The big games often bring out the worst in people. Many incidents occur when people realize that it's the last game of the season. Year end games have a lot of meaning and people also feel that suspension and ejection rules don't matter since there's no next game. Finally, championship games also bring spectators who may not go to a lot of other games; sometimes these people don't react very well. Game administrators need to be on edge at the end of the season - even if the championship is played during a holiday.

Parma, N.Y., June 30, 2008 - Post-Game Handshake Attack Kills Adult Softball Player. See Hilton Man Dies After Assault At Parma Softball Game by Claudia Vargas, Rochester Democrat and Chronicle. For more on this story see Hilton Ballplayer Dies After Punch To Head In Parma Softball Game by John Boccacino and Claudia Vargas, Rochester Democrat and Chronicle, July 1, 2008 and Upstate Man Dies After Softball Game Altercation, WNBC TV New York, N.Y, July 1, 2008, and Police: NY Man Dies After Assault At Softball Game by Ben Dobbin, Associated Press Wire Service in San Francisco Chronicle, July 1, 2008, and Athlete Accused of Fatally Punching man Spent Time in Prison Washington Post, July 2, 2008 page E02. version. This game was marred by trash talk. Sadly that trash talk spilled over into a post-game handshake line attack. Worse, Sean Sanders, the man accused of delivering the fatal blow, punched the victim, Daniel Andrews, in the back of the head. A lot of bad elements combined here. First, trash talk is something that athletic administrators constantly work to quash. Often athletes say it's harmless fun. It's not. Trash talk often leads to retaliation, and sometimes that retaliation is physical. Second, post-game handshakes may be an excellent and traditional display of sportsmanship, but they also offer angry people a free cheap shot at opponents. There are a lot of post-game handshake line incidents. In heated games, post-game handshake lines need to be monitored closely. There's no harm in suspending a post-game handshake where conditions warrant - although if one looks at the post-game handshake line incidents on the sportsmanship page of this site one will see that any sports administrator who tries to eliminate post-game handshakes - even temporarily - will come under an immediate media assault (remember, the local press isn't responsible for actually running the games and they have no idea of some of the problems that may occur in someone's leagues - in other words, they're uninformed). Third, blows to the back of the head are cowardly and they're also extremely dangerous.

Detroit Man Takes The Game Too Seriously - Shoots Opposing Fan. See Detroit Man Charged In Shooting Death Following Youth Football Game by David Josar, Detroit News, June 20, 2008.

Edmonton, CA - June 5, 2008 - A Dozen Players From Youth Soccer Team Launch Post-Game Attack On Parent. See Edmonton Boys Soccer Team Suspended After Soccer Dad Swarmed, Camwest News Service on Canada.com, June 16, 2008; and See Teen Charged In Soccer Attack Says He Wasn't There, Reported by Sonya Sunger, CTVEdmonton.ca, July 23, 2008.

June, 2008 - Plate Umpires Literally Under Attack: A plate umpire is hit by a pitch in a Georgia High School Game. Was it on purpose? Sure looks like it. The Georgia High School Association thought it was on purpose. They fined the school. The catcher lost his college scholarship - the college didn't want anybody who'd do this. Were they right? You can see the stills and the video by clicking on the June 18, 2008 Life of Reilly Column from ESPN The Magazine. Think this is the only time, think again: A California catcher told the ump what was coming! The catcher told the umpire he was gonna miss one. The ump took a fastball in his mask, ejected the catcher and the California Interscholastic Federation's North Coast Section did the right thing - a lifetime suspension! As of June 27, 2008, the catcher's appeal is pending. It's dangerous enough without catcher's trying to get the umps hurt. See Home-Plate Umpires Find Themselves In The Line of Fire by Paul White, USA Today, June 18, 2008 (foul balls lead to rash of concussions for plate umpires.

Snohomish County, WA, May 27, 2008 - Snohomish County Baseball Game Ends In Assault, Reported by Jim Forman, King TV, Seattle, WA; See Youth Sucker Punch Caught On Tape, Reported by Jim Forman, republished on WSAZ TV, Charleston, W. VA for video. This game ends with a sucker punch in the post-game handshake line, caught on tape.

Talladega, AL, May 19, 2008 - Parents Little League Brawl Results In More Security, Reported by Jeremy Campbell, ABC33/40, Talladega. Talladega instituted a one dollar parking charge to pay for a security guard at all youth games in the wake of this incident.

Enid, OK, May 19, 2008 - Highway Patrol Officer Allegedly Attacks Coach Who Cut Son From Baseball Team. See Enid Baseball Coach Claims Assault by Off-Duty Trooper, The Oklahoman, May 21, 2008.

New Jersey Dad Closes High School Season By Allegedly Choking Ump: See Randolph Dad Accused of Choking An Umpire During High School Game by Bill Swayze, Newark Star-Ledger, May 13, 2008; Randolph Man Jailed For Assaulting Umpire by Matt Mahochio, New Jersey Daily Record, May 13, 2008.

Staten Island, May 13, 2008 - Girls Soccer Game Ended By Fight by Kevin Flood, Staten Island Advance (SILive.com).

Wilson, N.C., May 12, 2008 - Prep Soccer Fight Involves Players, Coach by Nick Stevens and Dane Huffman, WRAL

Nashville, TN, May 12, 2008 - It's A Cowardly Knockout of The Worst Sort: Youth Coach Allegedly Attacks From Behind/Knocks Out Ump. See Coach Accused of Knocking Out Umpire, WSMV TV.

Portland, OR, May 10, 2008 - Fighting Adults Go "Cuckoo" at Portland Little League Game. See Police Called To Little League Game As Adults Fight, KATU TV, Portland.

Denver, CO - May 7, 2008 - Youth Coach Dismissed After Assault Arrest by Mike McPhee, Denver Post.

Denver, CO - April 29, 2008 - Brawling After Teen Ball Games Injures 5: Police are Unsure Whether The Melee outside Eaglecrest High Was Related To Gangs Or Race by Kieran Nicholson and Howard Pankratz.

Knoxville, TN - April 23, 2008 - A Most Inappropriate Coaching Technique - Loudon Baseball Coach Told To Stop Making Boys Fight by Hugh Willett, Knoxville News Sentinel, April 23, 2008 (middle school baseball coach toughens up players by having them box each other).

Putnam City, OK - April 18, 2008 - Cheer Coach Attacked by Parent - Apparently Because Daughter Didn't Make Team. See Woman Arrested In Stungun Attack on Cheerleading Coach, Newsok.com, April 30, 2008; Was Putnam City North Attack Connected To Tryouts? by Jesse Olivarez, Newsok.com, April 23, 2008; Cheerleading Coach Attacked With Stun Gun, NBC12 firstcoastnews.com, April 25, 2008. Click here for national television news coverage

Sparta, TN - April 3, 2008 - Three Arrested After Altercation on Baseball Field: High School Coach Assaulted by Jody Sliger, Sparta Expositor.

Long Island, N.Y. - March 31, 2008 - Post-game handshake problems in New York where a Hofstra University assistant football coach playing in a touch football Rec League punched an opponent in a post-game handshake line after a game. See Hofstra Asst. Football Coach Arrested In Touch- Football Assault by Bill Mason, New York Newsday.

Portland, OR - March 20, 2008 - Man Tries To Shoot His Opponent After A Pick-Up Basketball Game. See Portland Man Arrested In Attempted Murder Over Basketball Game by Cheryl McDermott, Bend Weekly News, March 20, 2008.

Layton, UT - March 15, 2008 - Post-Game Handshake Problems Mar Utah Baseball Game. See High School Baseball: Fight Mars Pirates' Comeback Over Lancers by Michael Black, Deseret Morning News.

Flint, MI - March 6, 2008 - Columbiaville Amateur Hockey Player Pleads Guilty In Assault of Referee by Paul Janczewski, The Flint Journal (65 year old player in Rec League attacks 17 year old teen-age ref).

Charleston, AR - March 6, 2008 - Youth Basketball Ref Assaulted by Parent, 4029tv.com, Charleston, AR and Teen Referee Assaulted; Man, 33, Pleads Innocent, Arkansas Democrat Gazette.

Tulsa, OK - March 1, 2008 - Girls' Coach Injured In Altercation At Game: Police Allege That A Player's Father Grabbed the Preston Coach By The Throat by John D. Ferguson and Curtiss Killman, Tulsa World, March 7, 2008.

Amherst, N.Y. - February 12, 2008 - Student Tasered After Spitting On Opposing High School Basketball Spectators, Then Running From Police. See SH Teen Arrested After Spitting Incident, Albany Democrat Herald, February 12, 2008.

Bakersfield, CA - February 22, 2008 - Fight After Soccer Game Sends One Student To Hospital, One To Jail, Bakersfield Californian. For tv coverage see, Bakersfield Student Arrest After Soccer Fight, ABC 30 Bakersfield, CA.

Clackamas, OR - February 17, 2008 - 6th Grade Girls' Coach Leads Fans In Abuse of Referee and Physical Attack on School Administrator Who Tries To Invervene. Coach is arrested and charged with "criminal trespassing of a sporting event." See Aggressive Behavior at Game Leads To Arrest of Basketball Coach, SalemNews.com, February 17, 2008, and Tempers Flare at Girls' Basketball Game by Joe English and KATU TV Staff, KATU TV Portland, Or., February 17, 2008. One interesting note is that Oregon actually has a law that requires spectators, coaches and participants to leave a game site when ordered to do so by an official. This is part of a modern trend to empower and protect officials. See Oregon Revised Statutes 164-276 and 164-278.

Pacific, MO - February 11, 2008 - Fan Assaults Referee at PHS Basketball Game, emissourian.com.

Waco, Tx - Feb. 1, 2008 - Spectators Out of Control At Waco, TX Basketball Game - Police Called In, One Fan Pepper Sprayed, and Game Stopped - See Fight Breaks Out At Local High School Basketball Game, KWTX-TV, Feb. 1, 2008

San Diego, CA - Feb. 1, 2008 - Soccer Coach Allegedly Chokes Player, Punches Spectator During Huge San Diego HS Soccer Melee! See Walk-On Coach Jailed After Allegedly Provoking Brawl by Kristina Davis, San Diego Union-Tribune, February 2, 2008. No Charges Filed Against Coach In Soccer Brawl, Channel 10 News San Diego, February 5, 2008. Coach Says he was just trying to stop the fights at soccer game!! See Choking Accusations Bogus, Suspended Coach Says by Chris Moran, Feb. 7, 2008, San Diego Union-Tribune. Click here for video of the fight.

Chicago, IL - Jan. 23, 2008 - Multiple Fights Break Out After Chicago Basketball Game - See 15 Teens Arrested In Brawls After Proviso Basketball Game In Hillside by Josh Noel, Chicago Tribune, January 23, 2008.

Canada, Jan. 17, 2008 - Violence Against Officials Hits Canada: 4 Attacks Against Hockey Officials Casts Pall Over Youth Hockey Community. See Hockey Officials Fed Up With Abuse by Don Campbell, The Ottawa Citizen, January 17, 2008.

Montgomery County, MD - January 12, 2008 - Coach Admits He Assaults Official: The Coach admits pushing official's face out of anger where his athlete was disqualified from a track meet because her uniform didn't meet NFHS standards. The coach was reacting to an incident that made national headlines as the Muslim athlete claimed religious discrimination. Details of the incident can be found on the officials page at the officials and the law link. The key point to note is that all coaches who attack contest officials feel that an injustice has been committed, but the way to resolve a matter is not, should not be, and cannot be to attack the official. For details on the controvery see When The Rules Run Up Against Faith: Prep Athlete Wearing Muslim Clothing Disqualified From Meet by Alan Goldenbach, Washington Post, January 16, 2008 page A01. For the coach's admission see Hate Mail Follows Controversy Over Muslim Track Star, WUSA 9 Washington, D.C., January 16, 2008. For a rules explanation: Click here for the National Federation of High School's Explanation of The Rules and see Officials: Religion Not Issue In Runners Exclusion by Chay Rao and Stephanie Siegel, Montgomery County Gazette Net, January 30, 2008.

Indianapolis, IN - January 12, 2008 - 2 Shot As Fight Spills From High School Game Into Streets, IndyChannel.com, January 12, 2008.

Wilmington, Delaware - January 11, 2008 - Police Investigate Fight At High School Basketball Game, Wilmington News Journal, January 11, 2008.

Putnam Cty, FL - January 11, 2008 - Fans, Spectators Clash In Putnam Cty HS Hoops Game. School Officials Initially Ban All Spectators, but back off to allow immediate families to watch. See Palatka Softens Ban On Basketball Spectators by Justin Barney, St. Augustine Record, January 16, 2008, and PHS Hoops Brawl In the Hands of State Athletic Board by Andy Hall, January 17, 2008.

Portland, Oregon - January 8, 2008 - Out of Control Spectators Swarm Court, Cause Game Cancellation. See Grant at Benson: Game Canceled Because Of Fight, Oregon Live.com, Jan. 8, 2008. Brawl Halts Benson - Grant Game At Half, KOIN TV Portland, Jan. 9, 2008.

Click Here For Bad Acts Prior to 2005

Click Here For Bad Acts From 2005-06

Bad Acts By Sport

Baseball

Nashville, TN, May 12, 2008 - It's A Cowardly Knockout of The Worst Sort: Youth Coach Allegedly Attacks From Behind/Knocks Out Ump. See Coach Accused of Knocking Out Umpire, WSMV TV.

Portland, OR, May 10, 2008 - Fighting Adults Go "Cuckoo" at Portland Little League Game. See Police Called To Little League Game As Adults Fight, KATU TV, Portland.

Sparta, TN - April 3, 2008 - Three Arrested After Altercation on Baseball Field: High School Coach Assaulted by Jody Sliger, Sparta Expositor.

Layton, UT - March 15, 2008 - Post-Game Handshake Problems Mar Utah Baseball Game. See High School Baseball: Fight Mars Pirates' Comeback Over Lancers by Michael Black, Deseret Morning News.

Southington, CT - July 3, 2007 - Adults Fight at Youth Baseball Game, WFSB.Com (story and photo of injured man).

April 25, 2007 - Highlands, CA - Fight Breaks Out at Little League by Michael Sorba, Highland Community News, April 25, 2007.

Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, July 2005 - Black eye for umpire in dustup with coach. Charges against coach dropped (this coach got away with his attack on the umpire - a black eye for sportsmanship).

Opelika, AL. - Baseball Parent Charged With Assault on Son's Coach at Game, Decatur Daily, March 24, 2006.

Newark, NJ 2005 - Father attacks 15 year old umpire in Little League game.

Pittsburgh, PA 2005 - Youth Tee-Ball coach arrested for paying to have player hurt so he wouldn't have to put him in game. 12/30/05 - Tee-Ball Coach rejects plea bargain.

Palmdale, CA. 2005 - 13 year old boy kills a 15 year old boy by hitting him in the head with a baseball bat at a Pony League game.

Renton, WA - August 1, 1994 - Little League Father Dies After Fight At Championship Game by Wayne Wurzer, Dee Norton, Seattle Times, August 1, 1994.

Basketball

Philadelphia, PA - July 21, 2008 - Referee Gets Shot - Youth League Cancelled. See Shooting Victim Had Been Target Before by Kia Gregory, Philadelphia Inquirer, July 23, 2008.

Denver, CO - May 7, 2008 - Youth Coach Dismissed After Assault Arrest by Mike McPhee, Denver Post.

Charleston, AR - March 6, 2008 - Youth Basketball Ref Assaulted by Parent, 4029tv.com, Charleston, AR and Teen Referee Assaulted; Man, 33, Pleads Innocent, Arkansas Democrat Gazette.

Pacific, MO - February 11, 2008 - Fan Assaults Referee at PHS Basketball Game, emissourian.com.

Indianapolis, IN - January 12, 2008 - 2 Shot As Fight Spills From High School Game Into Streets, IndyChannel.com, January 12, 2008.

Wilmington, Delaware - January 11, 2008 - Police Investigate Fight At High School Basketball Game, Wilmington News Journal, January 11, 2008.

Rockville, MD - December 18, 2007 - Fans Call African-American B-Baller "Monkey"! See, Students Accused of Racially Taunting Basketball Player, NCB4.com.

December 7, 2007 - Game Called! Spectators Throw Objects On Court At HS Basketball Game. See Unruly Fans Cut Maginn Rout Short, Albany Times Union, December 7, 2007.

Memphis, TN. February 26, 2007 - Mad Dad Threatens To Shoot Coach At Church Basketball Game, WMCTV.Com.

Providence, RI February 2, 2007 - Suspensions, Arrests Follow Hoop Melee by John Gillooly, Providence Journal, Feb. 2, 2007.

Ironton, Ohio, January 23, 2007 - Zanesville Police Investigating After-Game Fight, The Huntington (W. VA) Herald - Dispatch, Jan. 23, 2007.

Palm Beach, FL, December 16, 2006 - Fight in Florida High School Game Involves Coaches, Parents, Players. See Girls Basketball Players Suspended After Fight by Andrew Abramson Palm Beach Post. Florida High School Athletic Association suspends 16 players up to six weeks. Rematch played by mostly JV players. See Gardens Wins RPB Rematch by Stacy Hicklin, South Florida Sun Sentinel, January 12, 2007. The sad thing about this incident is that a number of the same players were involved in a huge summer league brawl that resulted in a serious injury. See Top Florida High School Star Beaten and Injured In Post-Game Fracas. by Shandel Richardson South Florida Sun - Sentinel, April 5 & 6, 2006.

New York, N.Y., December 14, 2006 - Fans at Paul Robeson HS in NYC storm court and instigate brawl in closing minutes of game against Jefferson HS. PSAL suspends Robeson HS for the season and suspends Jefferson for 3 games. See PSAL Reads Riot Act To Robeson by Dan Martin, New York Post, December 21, 2006. Robeson has a long history of intimidation, violence, and discipline problems. See A Team Feared By Rivals Now Sits Idle and Angry by Timothy Williams, New York Times, February 26, 2007.

Wichita, KS. September 5, 2006 - Brutal Fight in Youth Basketball Game May Lead To Charges. See Father Upset About Violence On The Basketball Court. KSN TV Video. For more, see KSN's follow up coverage: Charges Filed In Case of Basketball Game Fight.

Houma, Louisiana - Nov. 15, 2005 - 16 people faced charges after a huge spectator brawl following a high school basketball game.

Seaside, CA. 2005 - High School Assistant Principal assaulted trying to break up fight at basketball game. The men who attacked the assistant principal were ultimately convicted.

Honolulu, Hawaii, Feb. 16, 2006 - Ejected Basketball Player Tries To Tackle Ref. (Feb. 16, 2005 Honolulu Star Bulletin).

Prattville, Alabama February 2005 - Riot at high school basketball games. Police fire tasers to clear gym. Game cancelled.

Cincinnati, Ohio January 2005 - North College Hill game called after spectators and players fight.

Akron, Ohio & Tontonagy, Ohio 2005 - High school players, spectators brawl on two separate occasions in Ohio.

Click here for coach convicted for wire fraud for illegal payments to basketball players. U.S.v. Piggie, (8th Cir. 2002).

Cheer (Some cheer issues appear on the administrators and school officials page under supervision issues).

El Paso, TX - November 11, 2008 - Texas High School Cheerleaders Try To Win By Poisoning Opponents. See 3 Chapin Dancers Suspended In Tampering Of Snacks by Zahira Torres, El Paso Times.

San Marcos, TX - July 24, 2007 - Dallas Skyline Cheerleaders Involved In Scuffle: reported by Emily Tsao, WFAA Dallas Morning News Show.

Gallup, N.M., March 17, 2007 - Cheerleaders' Fracas 'Bigger Than It Is' by Bill Donovan, Gallup Independent (cheerleaders' mom scuffles with team members).

Football

Groveland, FL - November 20, 2008 - High School Football Team Facing Fines For Fight, Central Florida News 13.

Houston, TX - September 6, 2008 - Fight at High School Football Game Leads To Freeway Shooting, Fox 26 TV Houston.

Miramar, FL - July 12, 2008 - Summer Football Game Turns Ugly. See Pahokee Football Game Ends In Brawl by Jason Lieser, Palm Beach Post.

Detroit Man Takes The Game Too Seriously - Shoots Opposing Fan. See Detroit Man Charged In Shooting Death Following Youth Football Game by David Josar, Detroit News, June 20, 2008.

Half Moon Bay High School, CA - Half Moon Bay High School Fans Have A Tradition of Streaking During High School Football Games and Allegedly Have Used Racial or Homophobic Epithets Against Visiting Teams On More Than One Occasion. See Racial Slurs Spark Fury by Heather Murtagh, San Mateo Daily Journal, Nov. 9, 2007; and Sequoia Threatens Penalty In Football Melee by Jason Goldman-Hall, San Francisco Examiner, Nov. 9, 2007, and No Proof About Who Taunted Sequoia High Players, Fans by Jill Tucker, San Francisco Chronicle, Nov. 9, 2007 page B8.

Tampa, FL - September 27, 2007 - FHSAA Levies Suspensions, Fines, Probation In TBT -Freedom Melee, by Joe Smith, TampaBay.com (reprint of St. Petersburg Times article).

Ridgeville Man Faces Charge of Hitting Ref At Pee Wee Game, by Stephen Szucs, Loraine County (Ohio) Chronicle-Telegram, September 19, 2007.