Referees need to be held accountable

As a certified coach, I know the process of becoming a coach. You take a coaching authorization course, get fingerprinted, get a background check and pay $85. To be a game official, just take an open book exam online, pass with 75 percent in as many tries necessary, watch a one-hour rules meeting online and pay $35. Does something seem out of balance here?

If the state puts so much pride and trust in their officials, why are they not required to have a background check? Is the state checking on an official's criminal status or status on the Iowa Sex Offender Registry?

Coaches get treated like second-class citizens, needing to always follow the whim of officials and risk suspension on a daily basis, while officials can do whatever they deem appropriate with the state backing them up with little risk of suspension or punishment.

Coach-referee communication cannot be a one-way street. At no time are referees seemingly required to acknowledge or respond to a question a coach has, but at any given moment, they can say whatever they feel is appropriate to coaches. As soon as coaches open their mouths, they are subject to an immediate technical or ejection based on their choice of words and tone.

There must be something done to hold referees accountable for their actions during high school sporting events.

Sarah Olsem

Marion