Last week’s column on the dressing down of a young hockey referee predictably resonated with readers and was shared all over social media. It seems everyone hates this type of abuse and the zero tolerance rule has overwhelming support.

But look closer at some of the responses. We have guys quitting the officiating ranks, parents outraged over this type of abuse, learned fans witnessing the crazy stuff from the stands and all sorts of stories about uncivilized behavior in sports officiating.

Here’s the thing: If USA Hockey has been emphasizing this problem for decades and if social media continues to expose the worst instances of boorish adult behavior in youth sports, then what has actually been accomplished over the past 20 years?

I like to compare this problem to drunk driving. Speaking personally, OS is disgusted and outraged every time there is a DUI death and/or injury accident. The problem just won’t go away, yet politicians, police and judges are always talking about it.

But what haven’t they done? Simple. They allow first and second-time DUI offenders back on the streets with little more than traffic school and several thousand dollars of fines and court costs.

Now what should be done is the confiscation of any convicted DUI offender’s license for a minimum of one year simply for a first-time offense. No exceptions. No work-driving permits. That’s called getting tough. That’s how to address a problem before someone is killed or maimed.

But they won’t do it. You have liquor companies, saloons and special interest groups fighting against strict penalties. And there’s nothing worse than a judge that’s too lenient at sentencing. You know what I’m talking about. How many times do we read about a DUI manslaughter where it turns out it was the offender’s third or fourth conviction for impaired driving?

Back to amateur hockey. Based upon the amount of feedback received from last week’s exposé on abuse of officials, there are clearly too many people in the hockey community getting away with uncivilized nonsense. No doubt, most of these people are not first-time offenders. Obviously, like the DUI felon, prior discipline or the threat of future punishment is not a sufficient disincentive for unsportsmanlike behavior.

Not to compare the consequences of a DUI collision with a dressing down of youth officials, but still the evidence is clear that most officials terminating their relationships with USA Hockey and hockey officiating do so because of the abuse. And that’s a legitimate problem.

The impaired driver thinks he has a constitutional right to own a car and use public roads.

The Mite coach believes he has to justify his suburban travel league salary by showing the parents he’s passionate about winning the state “silver” title.

And the hockey parent shelling out thousands per season justifies boorish behavior as an entitlement of his substantial cash outlay.

It’s all socially and legally wrong.

First time DUI offender: one-year suspension of driver’s license with no restricted driving permits. 

First time Mite coach dressing down officials: one year banishment from USA Hockey.

It’s OK parents, Uncle Buzz will do a fine job as a replacement coach.

Enough talk about the problem.

Enough with the USA Hockey preface containing the Codes of Conduct.

Time to put some real teeth in zero tolerance. It seems to be what everyone wants.

So let’s see tougher consequences from the governing bodies.

Questions and comments can be sent to editor@letsplayhockey.com, via Twitter @OSpeaking or through the Let’s Play Hockey Facebook page.

Photo: Christine Wisch