Parents who shout from the bleachers during high school sporting events should be put in the penalty box. They make remarks about bad plays, question coaching staff, or harass referees over calls. It’s time to take a stand and keep parents where they belong: the bleachers.
These spectators are killing the fun of athletics and taking the spotlight off the sport.
Gillian Teichman, freshman, experienced an incident that occurred at her horseback riding competition, turning a mistake to misfortune.
“One time I was riding a horse and a parent was screaming at me because I was doing something wrong,” Teichman said. “It spooked my horse and I ended up falling and breaking my rib.”
The spectator who yelled at Teichman was a teammate’s parent. The parent happened to have a bright flappy umbrella her hands when she yelled, which contributed to the spooking. This experience changed how Teichman, who said she felt mad and embarrassed, feels about fans during playing time.
Teens experience teamwork, winning, and losing while playing sports, all of which help them grow. When parents coach from the stands, they remove the positive experience for students, damaging rather than helping the team.
Assistant coach for varsity girls’ basketball and softball Michael Kaufman said that parents can upset their student athletes.
“If it gets to that point [in the game] where it becomes a nuisance, that parent is asked to stop,” Kaufman said.
According to Kaufman, when aggressive parents are asked to leave the venue, it can hurt the athlete.
LZHS athletes, spectators, and staff all must abide by the rules and policies of the Illinois High School Association (IHSA). One being that “IHSA believes sportsmanship is a core value and its promotion and practice are essential.”
Kaufman says he does not interact with disruptive parents before, during, or after the game.
“[Coaches] ignore them during the games, ” Kaufman said. “We have more important things to do, like coach their children.”
Kaufman believes fans should be allowed to express their thoughts within reason.
“You’re allowed to disagree and voice your opinion, that’s part of being a fan,” Kaufman said. “There’s definitely a line, then you take away from sportsmanship.”
So parents, please take a stand against the troubling trend of overcoaching your kids and stay where you belong: the stands.