Soccer Archives - Coach and Athletic Director

New Hampshire parents issued ‘no trespass’ orders after supporting girls’ sports

Wesley Sykes — Mon, 23 Sep 2024 13:38:37 +0000

A New Hampshire father was recently issued a ‘no trespass’ order for watching his daughter’s high school soccer game after speaking out against biological males playing in women’s sports.

A group of parents whose children attend Bow High School, in New Hampshire, spoke to school officials about their daughters competing against biological males — but were told there was nothing to be done after a federal judge ruled that the word “girl” includes males who identify as female.

That group of parents showed up to a game last week wearing pink wristbands to support keeping women’s sports for women. The Bow High School administration stopped the game, demanding the wristbands be removed, and issued police-enforced ‘no trespassing’ orders to at least two parents.

A recent story from the NHJournal detailed the order against the New Hampshire father. Below is an excerpt from the NHJournal story.

“My daughter’s playing in the homecoming game this weekend, and I’m banned until the 23rd,” said Anthony Foote of Bow, New Hampshire. “I can’t watch her play in homecoming — which is ridiculous.”

Foote forwarded a copy of the order to NHJournal.

“You are hereby prohibited from entering the buildings, grounds and property of the Bow School District,” the No Trespass order reads. “You are also prohibited from attending any Bow School District athletic or extra-curricular [sic] event, on or off school grounds.”

Why?

According to the order, it’s because “prior to and during the soccer game [Foote] brought and distributed pink armbands … to protest the participation of a transgender female student on the other team.”

The order, signed by Superintendent of Schools Marcy Kelley, says wearing the pink armbands violates school policy against “threatening, harassing, or intimidating…any person.” Kelley also claims the armbands violate its policy “that no person shall ‘impede, delay, disrupt or otherwise interfere with any school activity.’

“The District had to obtain additional police presence to ensure order. The District had to order you to remove the armbands and as a result of your ‘protest’ and other actions, play was temporarily stopped.”

Foote denies there was any discernible “protest” other than quietly wearing the pink armbands, decorated with “XX” to show support for women. (Females have two X chromosomes.) He says the district did not need to take any action, that he and some like-minded family members simply wore the armbands. He gave NHJournal several videos of the sidelines of the game.

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In the videos, there are no disruptive actions such as shouting, chanting, marching, sign-waving, etc. Parents and fans are sitting in chairs or standing along the sidelines. The only activity was when some parents complained about the pink armbands. Those complaining parents, and not the girls’ sports supporters, caused whatever disruptions that occurred, Foote said.

To read the full story from the NHJournal, click here.

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Florida sergeant arrested after punching youth soccer referee

Wesley Sykes — Thu, 30 Mar 2023 12:20:55 +0000

A Florida sergeant was recently arrested after a video emerged of him punching a referee in the face during a youth soccer game.

Sgt. Michael Russell, a Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office homicide sergeant has been arrested earlier this week and was charged with battery on a sports official.

A recent story from News4Jax.com detailed the events that led up to the sergeant being arrested at a youth soccer game.

Below is an excerpt from the News4Jax.com story.

“We never relish arresting an employee of this agency. However, our collective belief in transparency, openness and accountability outweighs any personal allegiance,” Waters said. “We are a society of laws, and no one is above those laws.”

Waters said that, according to their investigation, Russell was at a youth soccer game Sunday morning in plain clothes and off duty. When a fight broke out between some of the players, the referees attempted to break it up and were blowing their whistles repeatedly, Waters said.

Russell then went onto the field and punched one of the refs in the face, knocking the whistle out of his mouth, Waters said.

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“It’s really confusing to me,” Waters said when asked why Russell might have punched the referee. “It’s disappointing.”

The arrest report revealed that the incident happened at Losco Regional Park in Mandarin, and that it was caught on video.

To read the full story from News4Jax.com, click here.

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Michigan State Approved for 2026 FIFA World Cup Turfgrass Facility

Wesley Sykes — Mon, 20 Feb 2023 14:31:43 +0000

A FIFA-funded turfgrass testing facility that will make turf for more than a dozen stadiums for the next World Cup will be operated by Michigan State University.

The MSU Board of Trustees unanimously voted to build the testing facility, which will be a gift to the university after the 2026 FIFA World Cup. FIFA will fund and build the facility on MSU’s East Lansing campus which will be made available to university researchers and students.

A recent story from the Lansing State Journal detailed how Michigan State University will be leaving its mark on the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Below is an excerpt from the Lansing State Journal story.

“We are excited about the work that’s going to happen here, excited for our faculty to be able to engage in cutting-edge research to support so many within the turfgrass space,” said Kelly Millenbah, dean of the MSU College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, at the Board of Trustees meeting.

MSU and the University of Tennessee will be developing and providing natural grass playing surfaces for 16 North American stadiums and practice facilities as part of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The work involves developing a turfgrass system that can be used in both domed and outdoor stadiums. while also making the grass playable for up to 60 days after it is installed.

MSU’s renowned turfgrass program over seven decades has boasted research programs involving golf courses, athletic fields and even home lawns, from construction to the management of the turfgrass.

Students who have participated in the program worked on projects, including the installation of a temporary grass surface in the former Pontiac Silverdome for the 1994 World Cup.

The World Cup returns to North America − United States, Canada and Mexico − in 2026 and will become the largest sporting event ever held, Bollman said in his memo. The number of teams in the final is expanding from 32 to 48, which requires more stadiums and practice facilities.

Construction of the turfgrass facility is expected to start in April and be mostly complete by June 2023, according to the memo.

To read the full story from the Lansing State Journal, click here.

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New York Native Refs World Cup Knockout Match

Wesley Sykes — Wed, 07 Dec 2022 13:02:30 +0000

A New York native made history over the weekend as the first woman to officiate a knockout round match at the men’s FIFA World Cup.

Kathryn Nesbitt, a Rochester, NY, native, was selected as an assistant referee for the England/Senegal Round of 16 match. Nesbit is one of just six women to join the 100 male officials at the World Cup.

A recent story from BinghamtonHomepage.com detailed the events and reactions from local hometown referees.

Below is an excerpt from the BinghamtonHomepage.com story.

While most viewers cheered for the game, Nesbitt had her fans cheering her on right here in Rochester!

Referees from Western New York gathered in Downtown Rochester Sunday afternoon for a watch party. Nesbitt’s parents, Marci and Tom, said that the pride they feel watching their daughter on the world stage was difficult to put into words.

“Oh my gosh! I am so happy!” Marci said, standing next to her husband, Tom. “She’s worked so hard to be there and it’s wonderful, and she’s just wonderful. Go ahead Tom! Just so proud. So proud of her.”

Nesbitt is no stranger to reffing big games. Her track record includes the 2019 Women’s World Cup and men’s league championships in the United States.

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“It’s a big deal for us, locally,” Steve Montanino, Referee Instructor, said. “We all want to support her and we’re all interested in how she gonna do and we’re here with her parents to support her and cheer her on.”

To read the full story from the BinghamtonHomepage.com about the local referee making it to the world’s stage, click here.

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Adult Soccer Player Dies After On-Field Brawl

Wesley Sykes — Thu, 28 Jul 2022 14:24:29 +0000

A California male has succumbed to his injuries resulting from a disagreement with a referee during an adult recreational soccer match that devolved into an on-field brawl involving both teams and spectators.

Misael, Sanchez, 29, was knocked unconscious on July 10 during the melee at Oxnard High School before being taken to Ventura County Medical Center where he died this week, according to a report from MSN.com.

Below is an excerpt from the MSN.com article.

Berlin Jose Melgara, 46, was arrested over his death, but other people may face prosecution following the fight.

The cause of death is yet to be revealed.

Commander Alex Arnett told NBC News: “The autopsy is really going to help us determine whether or not there was criminal conduct.

“We understand that there was a fight on the field. We understand the victim was a participant in the fight. But we can’t say [whether] the fight is what resulted in the victim’s death.”

Investigators are “still searching for witnesses or anyone who might have video recorded all or part of the fight.”

Anyone with information on the adult recreational league fight is asked to contact the police department.

Relative Guadalupe Sanchez confirmed his death on GoFundMe.

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She said: “It is with a heavy heart to share the passing of our beloved son, Misael Sanchez. My family is heartbroken and still in disbelief, as we expected a bright future for him. We were not ready for this type of goodbye. At this time, we are asking for your prayers, and if you can contribute financially, it will be greatly appreciated.”

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