By Glenn O'Connell, League Contact. 10/26/2009.

Coaches,

Without mentioning any names, I have received a few warnings from our league regarding coaches and fans behavior at games this year.

I have mentioned at most of our club meetings that our fan behavior is our responsibility. Since our coaches are usually the only club officials at a given game, fan behavior is YOUR responsibility.

Coaches behavior has not been perfect either.  Remember: our club policy is we don't pay coaches fines, they are your responsibility. A coach can be carded for fan behavior, so those fines will be your responsibility to pay as well as the associated suspensions. The NJYS and MCYSA organizations have taken a zero-tolerance stand on referee abuse. The league has been sending out $1,000 fines for red carded coaches and fans (yes, there are three zeros in that number).

As a licensed referee in NJ, I don't want to be in the position of having the league come to me asking for an explanation for poor "adult" behavior. There is NO excuse for dissent towards a referee, period!  Dissent is a broad term that can include threats, arguing calls and comments overheard by the ref. A referee does NOT have to show you a card at the pitch. You can be red carded the day after the offense by the discipline chair if he feels that the ref's report warrants it.

In short, please remember that this is not the World Cup and that our kids are always watching you. Your behavior and control of your tongues and tempers sets an example for our kids to emulate.

Please be a good example.

Thank you in advance for your cooperation,
Glenn O'Connell