The Greater Howard Club Lacrosse Conference (GHCLC) would like to remind all spectators to reinforce positive values through the sport of lacrosse. The first half of the season has witnessed some unacceptable behavior from spectators. This behavior is starting to leak on to the field and affect the kids ability to play, the coaches ability to coach, and the officials ability to officiate games properly in a safe environment.
On behalf of the GHCLC, I ask that all spectators refrain from any foul language, harassment of player/coach/officials and reinforce positivity as a spectator. Furthermore, spectators are NOT permitted to sit, stand or otherwise be behind player bench side. All spectators must be on the opposite side of player benches. Violation of outlined requirements could result in game forfeitures and suspensions.
As stated in the GHCLC Bylaws (https://www.ghclacrosse.com/rules), spectators who are ejected from games will serve a one (1) game suspension (not including the game which he/she was ejected). The ejection will be submitted to the League Commissioner for review. Those involved could face harsher penalties (forfeits, multigame game suspensions, etc) should the Commissioner and Rule’s Committee deem necessary.
Thank you for your compliance,
Ricky DuBois
League Commissioner
Dear HOCO League Commissioner,
Here is what your customers (the parents who pay the club dues that pay for the HOCO league fees) would like from you:
Referees:
Who are fit enough to move up and down the field, put themselves in position to make calls, and actually see the game as more than a uniformed spectator who stands and watches.
Who understand the rules of lacrosse, and fairly apply said rules.
Who keep the safety of players as their primary concern.
We (the customers) would like you to get rid of:
Physically unqualified referees (those who cannot or will not move up and down the field with the players).
Referees who clearly do not know and/or understand the rules of the game.
Referees who penalize teams by unfair application of their power, for example: ignoring infractions, capricious penalty calls, ignoring a coach’s request for explanation of a call, ignoring a team’s time out request when legally entitled to one.
Referees who clearly see a player get slashed, cross-checked, or speared with an intentional helmet-to-helmet hit and ignore the infraction.
Anyone other than the most casual observer of youth sports sees the problem with fans vocally criticizing referees. Perhaps some time spent thinking about why this behavior is on the rise would lead one to consider that poor officiating (see above) is one possible root cause that ought to be considered.
Thank you.
A concerned parent
If you want NCAA level officials you need to pony up more money. You are getting youth and high school refs that are "learning" . Just like these boys are still learning how to play lacrosse. Many refs have quit and they cant get enough people to do the job. Wonder why? Parents who act like lunatics and scream and complain all the time. I'm sure they would love to have to wear the stripes. Sign up sounds like you know it all
HoCo takes in $2200 per team for the eight-week season. Just looking at the 2026 age group, there are 47 teams playing this year. That's $103,400 for just one age group. There are six more.
That breaks down to $275 per team, per game, or $550 per game gross income. Let's say the referees make $75 per game (that is a ballpark estimate, it is roughly what MIAA refs get paid per game). That's $400 left over. Not sure what field rental costs are allocated from that amount, but it ain't much since HoCO Rec owns the real estate.
I think there is enough money to pay for better refs.
Shouldn't we expect better quality officiating? Don't the athletes deserve it?
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