Friday night football is under way in West Virginia.
So are soccer and volleyball, as well as other competitive sports.
A number of men and women are on the respective fields of play serving as officials over the numerous matches being played.
How I miss not being on the pitch (the field of play) as a soccer official this fall. There is one thing in particular I don't miss: the chiding and derogatory remarks from the spectators.
Officials serve at the secondary school and youth athletic levels for the love of the game and for the passion of providing children opportunities to compete. Without them, particularly at school-level competitions, the match does not happen and the children lose the learning opportunity.
It is becoming increasingly difficult to attract officials for a number of reasons. But one of the most prevalent reasons arises from an individual's concern for personal safety.
Attacks on officials should not occur, but they do. The acts against athletic officials range from verbal tirades to homicide, all beyond the spirit of competition and the motto "Fair Play."
Endeavoring to protect athletic officials, provisions were adopted into West Virginia code a number of years ago addressing an assault or battery committed against an athletic official.
The athletic official is defined as "a person at a sports event who enforces the rules of that event, such as an umpire or referee, or a person who supervises the participants, such as a coach." (West Virginia Code 61-2-15a(c)).
Appropriate fines, jail time, or both may be assessed against a person committing the offenses.
From the stands, it is difficult to see the game from the official's perspective. From the stands, we expect perfection though none of us are perfect.
So this year - and every year - from the stands we should appreciate the officials willing to give of their time so that competitors can fairly compete.
From the stands, we should cheer for the competitors and officials meeting before us on the field of play. From the stands, we should remember, as spectators, to refrain from comments and actions that detract from the game and distract the competitors from performing their best.
From the stands, let us remember that the game is about them, the competitors. It's not about us!
Senator Greg Boso represents the 11th Senatorial District of West Virginia and is a former WVSSAC soccer official and US Soccer Federation referee.