Are fans getting out of hand at local sporting events?

When it comes to local sporting events, things can sometimes be spoiled by just one or two fans. What can be done about it? Is it a problem that’s getting worse? 

Keith Jereczek has been officiating college and high school sports in the area for over a decade. He stopped in the WIZM studio for La Crosse Talk PM to discuss those interactions from an official’s perspective, while we also brought in the WIAA Assistant Director, Kate Petersen Abiad, to get her take.

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We looked at these situations from a couple different perspectives, including how a school handles these interactions, what to do when it’s an athlete or coach that’s unruly and, of course, the adult fans in the crowd. 

We also talked about how difficult it is for officials, who are often held to a higher standard when dealing with these interactions, even though oftentimes it’s an another adult who is getting out of hand.

Does there need to be a change in fan culture and, if so, how does that happen?