Officials walk over money talks

A line has been drawn in the sand and high school athletics could be put on hold this fall.
Monday night, the Lafayette Officials Association voted to tell the LHSAA that they would not be working without a pay raise.
Louisiana High School Officials Association aproached the LHSAA at the annual meeting in January but the proposal for a $5 raise was voted down.
St. Edmund athletic director Thomas David said he hopes the officials’ strike is shortlived.
“I am hoping they get something worked out before anything gets cancelled,” he said. “There is a lot at stake and I think they will fix it before the first kickoff.
“The officials are trying to make a statement across the state.”
The LHSOA has a meeting Sunday that LHSAA’s Executive Director Eddine Bonine is expected to attend.
“I hope there is some middle ground between both parties,” David said.
“You would hope the adults could work something out so the kids can play their games.
“A high school kid is only guarenteed about 40 football games in their career if they are good enough to start and stay healthy,” David said. “I would hate to see a senior get one of his 10 games taken away because of this situation.
“I would hope this can be worked out before the start costing the kids games.”
David said it costs St. Edmund $550 to $600 a football game for a five or six-man crew of officials.
“The increase will make a difference more in basketball because we don’t have a deep fan base,” the coach said of the $300 estimated cost for three games a night.
According to David, St. Edmund pays around $150-180 for two baseball or softball officials per game.
“The increase will impact the smaller schools more,” David said. “Most small schools will be forced to go up on ticket prices - that is their only choice to try and cover expenses.
Presently games cost $6 or $7 a ticket according to the coach.
“We may be pricing ourselves out of a family event,” the coach said.
David said he understands what an official endures doing his or her job during a game.
“They deal with a lot of stuff that warrents a better financial reward than what they get,” David said.
EDITOR’S NOTE: Look for the indepth interview with LHSOA President Paul LaRosa in Sunday’s edition.