Referees’ Spokesman Vows Boycott of Prep Football in Pay Dispute

A representative from the association that officiates high school football in Southern California criticized a proposed $1-per-game pay increase at the CIF Southern Section General Council meeting Thursday in Norwalk and threatened to boycott games in the fall.

League representatives, after listening to the boycott threat, voted, 51-5, to approve the increase.

“They had my attention, and I was beginning to side with them,” said Dennis Evans, Corona del Mar principal. “But when they threatened to boycott, I lost any sympathy for them.”

Before the vote, Evans took the floor and asked his colleagues: “Do we knuckle under by the threat of a boycott?”

Under the approved budget, football and basketball officials will receive an additional $1 per game next season; baseball umpires will receive $2. All officials will receive an additional $2 per game in 1987 and another $2 in 1988.

Baseball and basketball officials currently receive $29 to $31 per game; football referees make $35 to $37 per game.

Dave Hull, assistant chairman of the Southern California Football Officials Assn.’s fees committee, told the league representatives that his organization wanted either a $3 increase next season in a one-year package or a $3 increase for each of the next three years.

“Over the past five years, we’ve received what is essentially a $1 increase per season,” Hull said. “Unless a better offer is made, we will begin making arrangements to boycott part or all of the 1986 season.”

After the vote, Hull said: “The machinery (for a boycott) is in motion. We’ll have a meeting of the association within the next 10 days.”

Representatives from basketball and baseball officiating organizations made no mention of a boycott at the meeting. And it is unclear how much support the proposed boycott will generate. Brent Lund, president of the Orange County Basketball Officials Assn., said by telephone that his organization does not favor a boycott.

“Officials are thinking very seriously that it’s time to stand up and be counted,” Lund said. “But I don’t think a boycott is the answer.”

Ed Takahaski, representing the Southern California Basketball Officials Assn., said his organization also had received a $1 increase over the past three years and had failed to receive a raise in three previous years.

“We’ve gotten an 11 1/2% increase over the past six years, which is nowhere near the cost-of-living increase,” Takahaski said. Takahaski’s group is seeking a $4-per-game increase for next season. Baseball umpires also are seeking an increase of $4 per game.