Soccer teams get probation

MIDVALE — Boys soccer is in big trouble.

With the number of ejections in boys soccer climbing 43 percent to 111 this season, the Utah High School Activities Association's executive committee voted to put boys soccer on probation for one year.

"We want them to know they need to police themselves, or we're going to have to police them," said Pleasant Grove Principal Jess Christen, who made the motion to put the sport on probation, which passed unanimously. It wasn't just ejections that prompted the move, which the panel of principals hope will force coaches, parents and players to make sportsmanship more of a priority.

"It was the ejections and the incident reports from the state tournament," said Rob Cuff, assistant director of the UHSAA who oversees soccer. "Specifically, it was problems in 3A, 4A and 5A."

The committee took action against three of the four schools involved, but is asking that Bonneville coach Mike Hickman be called for a sportsmanship hearing to address his behavior after the 4A championship match. Witnesses accused Hickman of berating a UHSAA staff member over officiating after the game.

Dixie, Park City and Jordan were all fined $500, put on probation for one year and sent a letter of reprimand for incidents involving fans and/or players. Additionally, they will all lose two games off of their schedules, meaning they'll play fewer games next year.

The Park City incident involved a player who was ejected on a soft red card in the second half of a quarterfinal loss to Logan. The senior flipped off the referee and tried to spit at him, and then on the way to his own bench, he taunted Logan's crowd.

The Dixie situation occurred at Delta after a quarterfinal game. A senior player pushed an official and several parents refused to leave the field after the game and engaged Delta administrators in an argument.

The Jordan incidents occurred during the Beetdiggers' championship game. Students brought posters and banners, which are prohibited at state tournaments, and several students climbed the fence to get into the game without paying.

The fans also came without shirts or repeatedly had to be told to keep their shirts on during the match. An adult was asked to give an air horn to security officials, as those are also banned, and he berated the administrator before giving it to him.