Referee group drops 3 semi-pro teams
Referees from the Rochester Chapter of Certified Football Officials will no longer be assigned to work at semi-pro football games in the Rochester area.
Ric Hamblin, president of the local chapter, said the decision was made Nov. 3.
He said refs in the group can decide on their own to work at the semi-pro games, but they will not be covered by the organization’s liability insurance policy.
Three semi-pro teams play in the Rochester area: the Rochester Renegades; the Western New York Cougars; and the Monroe County Sting.
The executive committee’s decision was the result of a violent attack on a ref at a Cougars game last month.
Leon R. Woods, 23, of Rochester, a member of the Cougars, was charged with first-degree assault, a felony, in connection with the attack on Pete McCabe, 54, of Lakeville, Livingston County.
Woods is accused of intentionally hitting McCabe in the face with his helmet after a game at Edgerton Park on Oct. 24. McCabe suffered severe cuts, a broken jaw and nose and internal injuries, according to court documents.
“Our concern is for our members. There have been other incidents over the years,” said Hamblin.
The Rochester chapter has about 120 members who also work at high school and youth league games.
They are paid about $85 to work a semi-pro game, Hamblin said.
Javon Armstead, director of sales and marketing for the Cougars, said nobody from the team would comment on the decision.
Larry Williams, head coach of the Renegades, was disappointed that the Football Officials decided to stop working with all three teams.
“The incident that happened that caused this to come about is an unfortunate incident, but I don’t think other teams and other players should be punished for it. You should not hold each and every semi-pro team accountable because of that,” Williams said.
