Jaffe: Abuse of referees is a growing problem lacrosse can’t ignore

A ref sets a faceoff in the 2018 Division 2 final between Merrimack and Saint Leo. (Ben Mackey/NCAA Photos via Getty Images)

Much of the talk around lacrosse this year has been about the future, with the advent of a new professional league, upcoming world championships in box lacrosse and more.

But I caught a glimpse of the future near the end of the spring season that has me excited, but that should have players, fans, coaches and program administrators scared.

This is not news that the lacrosse community is talking about openly. This is a story that most people hope will go away. But it’s not going anywhere, and I hope that what I saw this year will bloom into something much bigger down the line.