Every referee, regardless of sport, can tell you the horror stories.

The jaw-dropping tales of being called names, chased into a locker room, dodging food products as they leave the floor and even being in physical confrontations with parents.

So is it any wonder that Utah is in dire need of high school officials?

The Utah High School Activities Association is constantly recruiting and training officials in all sports, but for the last few years the need in soccer has been critical.

"Soccer is the tough one," said Mike Petty, the UHSAA's assigner of officials. "We've got a real need in soccer. We're authorized to have three officials at soccer games, but my guess is that on any given day, we could have as many as 60 to 70 percent that still only have two officials. It is almost unusual that they end up having three officials. This is statewide problem."

Several matches a year are canceled because no officials are available. The state and soccer coaches have gotten together to try and remedy the situation, which includes allowing referees to work more than one game, making the trip worth while financially. The state's start times of 3:30 p.m. are the biggest obstacle for officials.

Petty said officials tell him they can officiate club matches that start later, so they don't have to leave work early, and make about the same, sometimes a little more money. The other often cited reason for new officials telling Petty they won't be back is the abuse they take from fans.

"We have that problem a lot, especially with newer officials," said Petty. "They say it's just not worth my time to be there. The way soccer fields are set up, the fans are right on the sideline, right in front of the crowd."

Which means they hear, very clearly, all those horrific things parents feel justified in yelling.

Not only do those young referees hear what you're saying, but your children do as well. They hear you, and they are either embarrassed by your behavior, or they are willing to adopt it as their own. Neither of which is a good thing.

If you are a yeller, do you honestly believe screaming at someone from the stands, is going to persuade them to see the situation your way?

Do you really think telling an official that he or she is an idiot is suddenly going to help them see the game from your perspective? And if not, why is it that in sports, we check our common sense at the gate? Isn't discipline part of what we want our children to learn from athletics? Then why illustrate for them in living color the most undisciplined behavior of all? Why not be a model of sportsmanship and self-discipline? Why not help them see that no matter how the game is called, you worry only about those things over which you have control?