STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — Please, do not act surprised.
Don’t roll your eyes.
Do not let out a sarcastic laugh.
Naturally, there are some who believe CYO Staten Island’s decision to impose harsher policies concerning unruly individuals is overkill.
But Borough President Vito Fossella felt compelled to contact CYO Staten Island County Director Mike Neely and his staff in the wake of the latest debacle — a physical altercation — between parents during a 4th Grade hoops game.
Yes, 4th Grade! And how it gets to the point when an individual comes close to even attempting to strike another at a CYO game is nothing short of mind-boggling.
But regardless, what are those new policies?
For starters, spectators who are ejected by a referee for disruptive behavior during a CYO basketball game will now face a one-year ban.
Anticipating the new rule might not be enough to deter individuals from acting irrationally, second-time offenders will receive what I liken to the NCAA ‘death penalty’ — a lifetime ban.
In addition, the ‘death penalty’ will also apply to any individual who takes part in a physical altercation at a CYO game. They will automatically receive a lifetime ban from competition as well.
Why do I agree with these stiff punishments?
Because although I’ve seen at least three physical altercations caught on video the last three years or so, I know there are other incidents that have taken place without the benefit of a camera nearby.
Neely and his staff, in fact, have been bombarded with incidents — some minor, some major — through the years and, in my eyes, they’ve made fair, agenda-free decisions to punish offenders.
But unfortunately, setting an example for what is likely hundreds of individuals hasn’t done much to influence others to behave.
There’s still temper tantrums. There’s still verbal abuse. There’s still threats of violence. And sadly, there’s still physical altercations. Despite a host of ideas and policies with the hope of keeping heads cool, this has been going on for decades.
I’ve heard dozens of stories. I’ve seen it up close and personal as a reporter and coach. And some people just don’t stop.
Threats of punishments fall by the wayside. Fair punishments have caused shoulders to shrug.
Now, with the thought of missing your son or daughter’s CYO game for a year, maybe they’ll think twice.
Maybe there’s a handful of spectators who will actually take a second and consider, ‘if I go after this guy and physically harm him, I’ll never be able to attend my children’s games when they’re playing CYO.’
Maybe.
The new policies are not too harsh. They’re not overkill. They’re not unrealistic.
They’re actually long overdue. Period.