Too much tension, hostility at youth games

A man came after my granddaughter at a recent 5th/6th grade Schaumburg Athletic Association basketball game.

The tension surrounding the event had been building toward the end of the season as the level of play became more aggressive. More than likely this occurred as a result of several factors: improved skill sets developed in SAA's "instructional" program, officiating which allowed more bodily contact, and coaches "scouting" opponents for future games.

With the lack of civility generally these days, it is discouraging to see that tribal loyalties bleed into disturbing behavior like an adult rushing toward a child aggressively gesticulating and yelling at her.

Imagine for a moment how that feels from a youngster's perspective. What sort of life lessons are conveyed to her and to the other children?

Consider that a volunteer coach for an elementary instructional league cared so much about winning that he asked his families and players to attend games they aren't even playing in to cheer against other teams.

Throughout this game while youngsters were taking free throws (some for the first time ever) they were yelled at and heckled by these fans. Adults stomped their feet and tried to intimidate children to miss.

Is winning this important? An entire team of 5th/6th grade girls left the court before the game ended, in tears. Remarkably, the commissioner of this league was present at the game and did nothing as the situation devolved into open hostility. He stood by the entire game and did not once have the courage to correct the unsportsmanlike conduct.

The hope is that some adjustments can be made so other children never have to experience the sort of aggressive behavior that my grandchild and other kids had to endure. In my opinion, SAA needs to recalibrate its mission statement.

Sue Zerafa

Schaumburg