Referee Punches Man At Monte Vista Game

DANVILLE, CA — A referee punched a man at a Monte Vista High School basketball game Thursday, according to video footage and the Danville Police Department.

Patch obtained a 24-second soundless video clip initially posted to the sports video sharing website Hudl. In the clip, a man beckons another man in a referee shirt following a game. The two briefly exchange words, and the man in the referee shirt punches the other man in the face. Several people then run to break them up. The victim points angrily at the referee, and the video stops.

The Danville Police Department confirmed that they were called to the Monte Vista gym on Thursday at 8:29 p.m. for reports of a battery. “Danville Police conducted an investigation and documented the incident between two non-student adults in a crime report. There were no arrests and one party desired prosecution.

“The case will be forwarded to the District Attorney for review at the completion of the investigation. There is no more information to release at this time,” the department said in a statement.

San Ramon Valley Unified School District said only that it is working closely with the Danville Police Department and Contra Costa Athletic Assignors, the firm hired by the district to provide referees for sporting events. A district spokesperson noted that the referee is not a district employee.

The Contra Costa Basketball Officials Association told Patch in a statement that the incident was reported to police and is under investigation.

"The Contra Costa Basketball Officials Association (CCBOA), independent contractors, is aware of the situation that took place on February 1, 2024 at the end of the boys junior varsity basketball game between San Ramon Valley and Monte Vista High Schools.It has been reported to the local police department," CCBOA President Tim Brendlin said in a statement.

"CCBOA does not promote nor condone any kind of violence. The organization is doing its own investigation at this time and will take appropriate action. The safety of all those in attendance of the games we officiate remains our top priority."