From Deseret News archives:
Anger over referee's foul calls triggers a bigger foul after game
Woman may face assault charge in S. Utah attack
Police in Cedar City say a woman attacked the referee of a children's basketball game over fouls called during the game for fifth- and sixth-grade boys.
The incident happened Monday night after a Cedar City-sponsored youth basketball game for 10- and 11-year-old boys at Cedar Middle School.
"The mother was upset over some calls that were made during the game," Cedar City Police Sgt. Jerry Womack said. "She decided to wait until after the game, and she confronted the referee. The ref said, 'Listen, back off, get away from me, leave me alone.' "
Police said Melissa Cheeney, 33, Pioche, Nev., then jumped the five-months-pregnant referee.
"She grabbed her by the hair, threw her to the ground and kicked her a couple of times," Womack said.
Other parents who witnessed the attack broke up the fight. The referee was taken to a hospital to be checked out because of her pregnancy.
Cedar City Parks and Recreation director Bob Tate said he spoke with the referee on Tuesday and she seemed to be OK.
Womack said he has been a volunteer coach in youth sports for years and has seen parents get pretty irate with referees.
"I've had parents yell and scream and stuff, but I've never had parents get physical. It was just shocking to me," he told the Deseret Morning News.
Cheeney was cited for assault and released. The Iron County Attorney's Office was screening possible formal charges Wednesday.
E-mail: bwinslow@desnews.com
Comments
- Around the NFL 8:55 p.m.
- NFL: Making my wish list 8:53 p.m.
- Utah Jazz: Millsap, Kirilenko injured 8:52 p.m.
- Gators beat FSU again 8:35 p.m.
- Virginia Tech routs Virginia 8:33 p.m.
- Utah State football: Aggies beat... 8:32 p.m.
- Today on TV 8:28 p.m.
- Photo: The Gingerbread (Super)Man 8:24 p.m.
- Court may try youth as an adult 8:20 p.m.
- Missing Layton boy found 8:19 p.m.
- Cave to be sealed with body inside
- Predicting the unpredictable: BYU wins
- Vegas, Poinsettia bowls or bust
- Glover gives Utes last-second upset
- BYU football: 5 keys to victory
- Cougars turn back Wildcats'
- Man trapped in Nutty Putty cave dies
- Running game key to BYU offense
- Woods, wife unavailable for interview
- Idaho woman dies after fall
- Cougars beat Utes, 26-23
223 - Thunder rolls by Jazz
136 - Letters: Rushing to judge Palin
134 - Man trapped in Nutty Putty cave dies
115 - Cave to be sealed with body inside
114 - Editorial: Poor welcome for Palin
113 - Letters: Trump card for believers
99 - Rivalry Week is highly profane
88 - Hall's legacy measured today
75 - Hate crimes against gays rose 11%
74
I wanted to tell them not to go. I dropped subtle hints. "My money is on...
When I was a kid, I worshipped my grandpa. He was undoubtedly my hero....
BYU National championships 1 Utah 0 But hey, those exhibition games will...
while this is a difficult loss to take, especially Utah came back to tie,...
Not as far in the past as 1984
Kyle is by far the smartest coach in the MWC. Did you see how he called a...
There are there to convert not teach. It is called teaching under false...
Hey Utah State, NICE job on getting 4 wins this year. Looks to me like...
Good for the Y!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You guys are remarkable young men!!! Way to be...
Sad thing. This is the only game of the year that BYU plays with any heart....
I'm excited about the progress of our football team. I think our guys have...
why it wasn't a facemask or some other kind of penalty when that helmet got...



You can be the first to comment on this story.