Question Number: 12079

Character, Attitude and Control 1/21/2006

RE: Miss. High School Athletic Assoc. High School

Mitchell Asmar of Laurel, Ms. USA asks...

Our Laurel High School team is known as the Golden Torandoes. Team supporters use a portable sounding device such as a siren to coinside with the team name "Tornadoes". The siren is never sounded during actual team play, only at the team huddle before the game and then only after any score on goal. The siren has been in use for several years and is embrassed as a symbol of our school, the "Torandoes". As a city school we have heated rivalries with neighboring county schools. One in particular is our neighobrs to the West, the West Jones Mustangs. We hold a 23 and 2 record with this school and we are not liked at all.
On the night of 1/20/06 a district non-tournament soccer game was hosted at West Jones. Our rivaly is so intense in soccer as well as all sports that a neutral Jackson, Ms. referee was asked call our matches for the night, both boys and girls. Prior to the game this Jackson ref instructed us that ALL artifical noise makers are banned from the stadium and must be remove prior the start of the game. He mentioned it was a rule of the MSHAA which is a member of the National Federation of High Schools.Was this ref correct in this decision??? There are a lot of upset parents and supporters which have heard all kind of sounding devices all over our great state of Mississippi. Never has any of us heard of this rule being applied.

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

I remember the cowbells at Mississippi State!! You folks do indeed like your noisemakers. All noisemakers are forbidden at most youth soccer events. I cannot comment on what rules you play under in High School other than to say if the referee said it was a MSHAA rule, then it probably is and you shouldn't have been allowed to use them at any stadium. I'd call your state high school association.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Hi Mitchell,
as is the way of things those responsible are punished for the irresponsible! I attend the pro matches and the elite games where the drums and whistles and horns blair incessantly. I appreciate atmosphere but when you are next to a devout fan it is bloody smart of me and lucky for them I do not bring a gun! LOL! Stomp the feet and chant with the rest of the fans Go team Go!
Cheers