Woman accused of assaulting 2 referees at high school hockey game in Massachusetts
TAUNTON - A parent is accused of assaulting two referees at a boys high school hockey game in Massachusetts earlier this month, police said.
The game was between Taunton High School and Mansfield High School and happened on Jan. 4 at the Foxboro Sports Center in Foxboro. Police said they collected video evidence from the game and interviewed witnesses and the referees.
2 referees allegedly assaulted by woman
According to the National Ice Hockey Officials Association - Massachusetts Chapters, a Taunton woman physically confronted the referees after the game, "preventing the officials from continuing to the locker room." The woman allegedly left before police were able to contact her. They said a Taunton man was also ejected from the rink for verbal abuse.
The parent of one of the players will be summoned to Wrentham District Court where a clerk magistrate will determine if there is probable cause for criminal charges. Police did not name the parent nor say what exactly the criminal charges are.
"The problem is just getting worse," Mike Ober of the NIHOA told WBZ. Ober is a ref who has seen harassment before.
"We have to do better," Ober said. "As parents you've got to do better, and please stop. Let the players play, coaches coach and referees ref."
The NIHOA says it's been calling on the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association to do more to protect referees, like an escort to and from the locker rooms.
Taunton Schools statement
"Taunton Public Schools works hard to create and maintain a positive, welcoming atmosphere at athletic events. We hold our student-athletes and student and adult spectators to high standards, and violations of our spectator expectations or the Hockomock League fan expectations are not tolerated and will be disciplined accordingly," said a spokesperson for Taunton Public Schools in a statement. "Taunton High School Athletics has been a leader in working with professional organizations to provide training and professional development for coaches, team captains, and student-athletes to eradicate hate in sports and promote sportsmanship and respect."
Bills to protect sports officials
"The MIAA consistently supports and has brought awareness to the appropriate treatment and safety of all game officials," said the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association in a statement. "In addition, the MIAA has been engaging elected state officials relative to proposed legislation currently before the Massachusetts House of Representatives."
According to the NIHOA, this proposed legislation would institute mandatory minimum penalties for assault or "aggravated harassment" of sports officials. They said the bills have been lingering at the State House for nearly 15 years.
Previous referee assault
This is the second time Taunton High School's hockey team has been part of an assault on a referee at a game. In 2015, an assistant coach of the hockey team was arrested for allegedly biting a referee's finger after a game between Taunton High School and King Philip High School.
