Last week, the Mid Valley Pop Warner (MVPW) league informed parents from Lebanon that their season will be cut short and the past weekend will have been its conclusion. The announcement is a result of allegations of highly inappropriate behavior of coaches and parents made jointly by the League and Mid Western Officials Association — the referee organization.
The allegations came in an email to parents stating that “An unprecedented number of games were called early this season, threats of violence were made against officials, multiple coaches were suspended for on-field conduct and an overall environment of poor sportsmanship permeated many of our sidelines and stands. All of this culminating in a vote last week by the Mid Western Football Officials of Oregon to discontinue service to MVPW for the remainder of 2021.”
Mid Western Football Officials, in a statement to the League, named two MVPW teams: the Lebanon D2 Warriors Red team and a team from Dallas, as those “whose coaches and/or fans have repeatedly presented the most egregious threatening and unsportsmanlike behavior throughout this season.”
Parents and coaches of the D2 Warriors Red team decisively deny the allegation, explaining that the reactions to the referees’ calls went no further than booing. “I’ve been to every game. There’s never been any bullying, any violence or threats,” said parent, Brianna Garber to KEZI. “The coaches have been nothing but respectful.”
Head coach Justin Dodge, who has been working with the League for four years, voiced his disappointment in how the MVPW handled the situation. His disappointment was furthered by the most recent email by its president, Justin Adams, to the parents of the team, claiming that the parents were planning to protest during a game played by other teams at the time the Warriors Red team was playing a scheduled game elsewhere.
The League promised to discount the registration fee for those who will play next season, as a form of refund for the shortened season. No refund was planned to those who will reach the age in which they can no longer play MVPW.
Ultimately, the D2 Warriors Red team reported that another league will take the team under its wing.
By Joanna Rosińska
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