Police Investigating Unruly Fan Accused of Grabbing Referee at Lake Park-Audubon Basketball Game

AUDUBON (KDLM) – The Detroit Lakes Police are investigating a report of a spectator becoming unruly with a high school referee in Lake Park.

A call to the Police Department indicated that a 45-year-old Detroit Lakes man became unruly during a high school basketball game on Thursday, Jan. 13 between Lake Park-Audubon and Win-E-Mac. The caller indicated that the man made obscene gestures with both hands and grabbed a 71-year-old referee during the game.

John Millea with the Minnesota State High School League says that bad behavior from parents and fans is one reason that there is a shortage across the country of high school officials, “Number one, fans have to treat them better. Number two, we have to pay them more. I don’t have the answer to the second issue, but the solution to the first one is easy. Just be nice. Don’t bark at the officials”.

Dr. Tim Godfrey, Superintendent with the Lake Park-Audubon School District indicated that he was aware of the incident which occurred last week, but was not in attendance at the game.

The case remains under investigation.