The NCAA News - Briefly in the News

May 24, 1999

Those who take the call to "kill the ump" seriously may begin paying for their actions with equally serious jail time.

The National Association of Sports Officials (NASO) recently announced that 14 states are considering legislation that will increase the penalties for those who assault a sports official. Twelve states already have passed legislation supported by the 19,000-member organization.

"'Kill the ump' must be taken seriously today," said Barry Mano, NASO's president. "Too often, we are witnessing parents, coaches and players who cross the line and become physically violent."

The issue of physical violence against officials has received national attention on such programs as ABC's "20/20" and Fox network's "Goin' Deep."

Iowa, Maine, South Carolina and Texas introduced forms of legislation in March that could put violators behind bars for as long as three years.

Illinois' legislation is en route to the governor for his signature, and Ohio's Senate Judiciary Committee recently heard testimony on the issue.

Legislators in Connecticut, Hawaii, Kansas, Massachusetts, Missouri, New Mexico, New York and Oregon are debating related bills, and Wisconsin is expected to introduce legislation within the next few weeks.

Assaults against sports officials have been increasing over the past few years, both in number and severity.

"Too often, society takes a minor injustice -- a perceived bad call by an official -- too seriously," Mano said. "Officials are not perfect, but it's absolutely ludicrous to follow officials after the game into their locker room or to their cars and physically confront them."

Last month, NASO released a 28-page special report, "Assaults on Sports Officials," which clearly identifies the seriousness of the problem at every level of competition. To request a copy of the report, call NASO at 800/733-6100. The report is available to NASO members for $4 and to nonmembers for $5.

Four hits and you're out

Wilmington College (Ohio) junior Chris Helsinger could use an ice pack or two -- or four. Earlier this spring Helsinger tied an NCAA Division III record after being hit by a pitch four times in one game.

Helsinger, who plays left field, was whacked on four of his six at-bats during the Quakers' March 12 game against Kenyon. One pitcher hit him three times; the other hit him once. Neither struck him on purpose.

Helsinger finished his day at the plate 0-for-1 with a run scored, a walk, a strikeout and, of course, four hits -- as in hit-by-pitch hits.

Kenyon won the 12-inning contest, 7-6.

A new era for the BCA

The Black Coaches Association (BCA) will hold its annual convention May 26-29 in Orlando, Florida, at the Hilton in Walt Disney World Village.

The theme for this year's convention is "Reintegration and Renewal for a New Era."

The BCA has established a goal of reunifying past and present members and leaders of the organization to establish strategies to pursue the association's mission in a new era.

Scheduled participants include Julius Erving, Eddie Robinson and John Thompson, among others. For more information or registration, call 877/789-1222 or 404/531-8175, ext. 8172.

All in the family

At Wheaton College (Illinois), family atmosphere is more than just a marketing gimmick.

This year, three of the five seniors on the women's swim team are married -- all of them to former or current Wheaton student-athletes. And all three achieved lifetime bests in their primary events, placing in the highest level of competition ever achieved at Wheaton.

Kate Renner Keyes, married to Andy Keyes (Wheaton swimmer, class of 1998), swam at the 1999 NCAA Division III Women's Swimming and Diving Championships, where she anchored Wheaton's seventh-place 800-yard freestyle relay and ninth-place 400-yard freestyle relay. Keyes also competed individually in the meet in the 100-yard freestyle.

Stephanie Simpson Clark, married to Jeremy Clark (Wheaton football player, class of 1999), also swam at the Division III championships, where she led off Wheaton's sixth-place 400-yard medley relay and seventh-place 200-yard medley relay. Clark also competed individually in the 100-yard backstroke.

Murphy Collins Meisenheimer, married to Toby Meisenheimer (Wheaton swimmer, class of 1996), concluded her season by winning the 100-yard butterfly at the Midwest championships, where she also finished runner-up in the 200-yard butterfly.

--Compiled by Kay Hawes