Coupeville Sports

Celebrate the highs and learn to live with the lows. (Brenn Sugatan photo)

We’re at a crossroads.

A substantial rise in anger or worse directed at high school and middle school referees is driving officials out of the game faster than they can be replaced.

The lack of refs is why varsity schedules are being shuffled and lower-level games often cancelled in many cities.

The Washington Interscholastic Activities Association recently published an opinion piece documenting that national surveys show 84% of officials feel they are treated unfairly by spectators.

You can read that story at:

https://wiaa.com/News.aspx?ID=2826&Mon=9&Yr=2022.

One team trying to buck the trend is the Coupeville High School football team, whose players crafted a letter they hope Wolf Nation will take the time to read, then really think about.

“This came from the team, with no persuasion, coercion or prodding of any kind by myself or their coaches,” said CHS Athletic Director Willie Smith.

“I believe it reflects an incredible maturity of perception and reflection that we could all be reminded of when it comes to the affects our actions have, whether positive or negative.”

The letter:

To all family, friends, and fans of the Coupeville football team,

The energy, passion, and love that we are experiencing from the stands has been unbelievable.

The stands have been louder than we have ever heard them, and we cannot explain the energy that gives us as we represent our school and our town every week.

We could not be prouder to represent a town that each week would go to great lengths to support us and give us the feeling you would go to battle for each and every one of us!

As demonstrated on Friday, the official’s calls will not always go our way, and at times can seem to be outright wrong.

It is an unfortunate experience sometimes, but very much a human element that referees bring to the game.

As you know we play on Thursday this week, which is due to a shortage of officials in our area, and as much as we do not agree with their calls at times, we as football players do not get to play the game we love without officials.

Believe us, we understand the frustration, but as a team who has committed to changing the culture here for the CHS football program we know we can be better.

This week we as players have learned our actions have consequences, good and bad. Our on-field actions and language are on display not just to us and our opponents, but to our community.

We ask you to help us change that culture.

When an official makes a call that you feel is questionable, please pour that WOLF energy into supporting us, to let us know we can overcome what has just happened.

Remind us of how capable this team is and that you will have our back.

Here in Coupeville, we strive to look at the positive and not get wrapped up in the negative and let it consume us.

Negative energy can have just as much effect on a group and the way they play as positive energy can.

Instead of letting the boo birds out of the cages, pour that energy into us, focus that energy on what we can change and what we are capable of.

With you at our back we know we are capable of great things!

We strive to represent this town in a way that will make you all proud, that gives you one more reason to enjoy the place we all call home!

We hope to see you Thursday night as we battle a tough Bellingham team with the hopes to secure a winning season with a win.

Thank you, Coupeville!

CHS Football Team