VIDEO: RI Youth Basketball Coach Attacks Ref - Now Facing Assault Charges

VIDEO: RI Youth Basketball Coach Attacks Ref - Now Facing Assault Charges

Rhode Island youth basketball coach Chris Cherry was caught on video at a recent youth basketball game in a rage and attacking a referee. A knife can be seen in Cherry’s hand in the video.

 

A warrant for Cherry’s arrest was issued on Tuesday. GoLocal has learned that Cherry surrendered himself to the Providence Police on Wednesday morning.

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According to police, the incident took place at John Hope Settlement House in Providence shortly after 9 PM on Saturday night.

 

Cherry is facing multiple assault charges including felony assault. 

 

 

The incident was an embarrassing example of abuse of a youth sports official.

- Nearly 1 in 8 youth sports officials (roughly 12–13%) have been physically assaulted at some point in their officiating career, according to True Sports.

- Over 90% report that verbal or physical abuse has increased in the last five years, marking a pronounced upward trend.

- Around 60% of referees choose not to return or recertify, most citing repeated harassment and threats as the key reason.

- 80% of new referees quit within two years, overwhelmingly due to rude or abusive parents, coaches, or spectators.