PIAA looks into stricter checks on officials

A Pittsburgh Post-Gazette report about PIAA referees with criminal histories has prompted discussions of possible changes when it comes to using background checks, re-registering current officials, and accepting new applicants.

According to the Post-Gazette, its nine-month investigation into the 2,272 officials that have worked in District 7 (Pittsburgh area) since 2005 revealed that dozens of active and past PIAA-registered officials have been convicted of such offenses as gun crimes, drug offenses, assaults, animal abuse, fraud, various forms of theft, crimes of falsity, drunken driving and auto accidents that caused death.

"It's a significant issue and concern," said Rod Stone, president of PIAA's board of directors and District 1 chairman. "There's a reality that we have to do as much as we can to ensure that people with criminal backgrounds are not officiating games."

Stone said the PIAA has a total of about 15,000 registered officials in all sports. District 1 has about 3,000 officials in 16 sports, including roughly 700 in basketball.

Officials have to re-register and fill out a questionnaire each year. According to Stone, those officials are supposed to "self-report" any criminal convictions.

"If it's a felony, they're removed right away," Stone said. "Officials can appeal the decision. If that happens, a decision is made by a hearing panel."

Stone said there was one District 1 official removed during the 2006-07 school year because of a criminal record.

"It was an official that self-reported on the form," Stone said. "I don't recall exactly what the offense was. There was no appeal to the decision."

In his 16 years with the PIAA, Stone, also the principal of Central Bucks South in Warrington, said he has sat in on four appeals by dismissed officials. All four PIAA decisions were upheld.

District 12, which includes Philadelphia-area public and private schools, has about 750 officials in 14 sports.

"The Post-Gazette story concerns us for two reasons," District 12 chairman Robert Coleman said. "One, it keeps us mindful of our primary goal of providing a safe environment for our student-athletes. Also, we don't want to group all officials together with the few bad ones because we have some excellent officials."

The Public League joined the PIAA in 2003. Since then, according to Coleman, no District 12 official has been removed because of a criminal record.

Stone said more discussion about possible background checks and the way officials register will take place on Oct. 2-3, during the PIAA board of directors' meeting in Mechanicsburg, Pa.

Turnaround. After going 1-11 last season, Quakertown is 3-0 and off to its best start since 2003 (a 7-0 start).

The Panthers have wins over Methacton (13-6), Upper Merion (31-22) and Cheltenham (28-21).

"We talked before the season about this being a fresh start and new beginning for the program," Quakertown coach John Donnelly said. "We're excited, but we still have a lot of work to do. We haven't played a complete game yet."

The Panthers have three quick-footed offensive players, all timed at 4.5 seconds in the 40-yard dash: junior tailbacks Tony Latronica and Tyler Burke, and senior tight end/fullback Eric Fath.

Latronica and Burke are averaging 6.1 and 5.1 yards per carry, respectively. Fath had a 65-yard touchdown run in the win over Upper Merion.

One of the squad's top interior players is Josh Barndt, a 6-foot, 265-pound senior offensive guard and defensive tackle.

"He's a lead-by-example type of guy," Donnelly said. "He's a tough guy to block on defense. Offensively, he can be a dominant drive blocker."

Last season, the Panthers were outscored by 389-137. Their only victory came vs. Upper Merion.

"We're trying to forget about last year," said Barndt, a captain and two-year starter. "But it's also good to remember, to use as motivation."

Barndt, who can bench-press 350 pounds and squat 530, plans to visit Division I-AA Robert Morris on Oct. 11. His brother, Nick, is a sophomore reserve quarterback for Quakertown.

"Physically, we're complete opposites," Josh Barndt said. "He's about 6 feet tall and weighs around 160 pounds."

The Panthers host Plymouth Whitemarsh (0-3) tomorrow night.

Paving the way. Upper Dublin's Josh Mastromatto has rushed for 200-plus yards in three successive games. Last week, in just over two quarters of action, the 5-6, 160-pounder carried 15 times for 220 yards and four scores in a 35-14 home win against Harry S Truman.

The Cardinals' offensive line has played a big part in Mastromatto's success. The line is made up of center Chris Haggar (5-11, 210), guards Steve Amen (5-10, 185) and Sean Carson (6-1, 210), tackles Eric Painter (6-1, 230) and Frank Yurick (6-2, 225) and tight end Scott Hartman (6-1, 180).

Quotable. Frankford coach Mike Capriotti, on the Pioneers' 6-5, 357-pound junior defensive tackle Tauheed Smith: "He's coming into his own this year. He's coming forward, making some moves and looking for the ball."

Team Record

Last week's rank in parentheses.

1. North Penn (2) 3-0

Senior running back Tyler Smith has carried 38 times for 278 yards and three touchdowns.

2. Malvern Prep (5) 2-0

The next test for two-way end C.J. Mooney and the Friars comes Saturday vs. McDonough (Md.).

3. St. Joseph's Prep (1) 2-1

The Hawks look to rebound against La Salle, a 27-26 upset winner over West Catholic.

4. Cardinal O'Hara (3) 3-0

Tom Savage, Corey Brown, and the explosive Lions have outscored the opposition by 89-6.

5. Garnet Valley (7) 3-0

First-year starter Mark McHugh has passed 16 for 25 for 305 yards and three touchdowns.

6. Neshaminy (6) 2-1

In a 42-0 romp over Germantown, Redskins boss Mark Schmidt celebrated his 100th victory.

7. Coatesville (9) 3-0

The Red Raiders open Ches-Mont National Division play tomorrow vs. Downingtown East.

8. Ridley (10) 3-0

QB Andrew Pidgeon has connected on 30 of 52 passes for 442 yards and seven touchdowns.

9. Glen Mills (NR) 3-0

The Bulls will renew their Del-Val League rivalry with 10-time defending champ Interboro tomorrow night.

10. Roman Catholic (NR) 1-1

Kasseim Everett, a Delaware recruit, has produced rushing efforts of 206 and 243 yards.

Under consideration (listed alphabetically): Abington (3-0), Council Rock South (3-0), Downingtown West (3-0),

La Salle (2-1), Souderton (2-1), West Catholic (2-1).

- Rick O'Brien
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