Additional warning was supposed to be issued at Pullman game
WIAA policy says an additional warning to coaches should have been made
The Greater Spokane League (GSL) on Sunday released a statement regarding an incident in which the Pullman vs. North Central football game ended early due to the alleged use of discriminatory language by Pullman players.
Among other statements in the GSL’s news release was that the officials had misapplied the policy leading to the end of the game.
The referees during the first instance of allegations gave a warning to both team’s coaches. On the second instance of the allegations, the game was called.
According to WIAA policy, another warning was supposed to be issued.
“For a second occurrence, the process should be repeated,” The WIAA policy says. “At the discretion of the officials, they can include a warning that if it continues, the contest will be terminated. If the warning is given to the coaches, the crew should meet with game management to make sure they are aware that a third occurrence will result in the termination of the game.”
The policy also states that the officiating crew can terminate the contest on the first or second occurrence if the behavior is deemed too egregious or if a safe resolution cannot be reached.
In a statement given to the Lewiston Tribune by GSL Director Paul Kautzman, he stated that, according to the schools, the third occurrence never happened and that game management — which in the case of Thursday’s game would have been Pullman’s Athletic Director and admin — were not allowed to take part in consultation to determine what the next steps of the contest should have been.
Kautzman also provided a statement regarding the early termination of the game:
“I think the policy puts the officials in a very difficult and unfair position and they were simply trying to do their best given what they thought the policy and protocol was,” Kautzman said. “I also think that it is difficult for the coaches and admin to deal with a situation of this nature when they do not have specifics to follow up on: there were no penalties issued to either team for unsportsmanlike behavior or personal fouls etc.
“No coaches, officials, admin or spectators heard any derogatory or racially charged language during the contest. When it ended prematurely, the kids did what kids do after the conclusion of high school sporting events — they shook hands and congratulated each other on a good game.”
