A local representative in the Wisconsin Senate has backed a bill that aims to protect sports officials.
The WIAA and Senator Andre Jacque of De Pere have both voiced their support of the legislation which would make it a class A misdemeanor to harass or intimidate a sports official.
The bill calls for a penalty of a fine of up to $10,000, up to nine months in prison, or both.
The number of sports officials for high school sports has been declining over the past several years, and part of that is due to them being harassed by irate fans or parents.
In fact, 57% of officials believe sportsmanship is getting worse, and they don’t mean with the players. They identify parents, coaches, and fans as the main cause of most sportsmanship issues.
