News Summary
A youth basketball coach in Providence has been arrested after allegedly assaulting a referee during a charity game. The coach, facing felony assault and other charges, surrendered to authorities after video of the incident emerged. The game’s affiliation with RI Elite was clarified, with the program denying any involvement in the incident. This case highlights a worrying trend of violence against officials in youth sports, raising concerns about safety and harassment in the sport.
Providence, Rhode Island – A youth basketball coach was arrested following an incident where he allegedly assaulted a referee during a game on September 13, 2025. Christopher Cherry surrendered to Providence police on Wednesday morning after a warrant was issued for his arrest.
Cherry faces serious charges including one count of felony assault, two counts of simple assault, and one count of disorderly conduct. Video evidence captured the confrontation, showing Cherry approaching the referee and swinging at him; however, the context of the event leading up to the assault remains unclear.
A significant point of confusion surrounding the incident was Cherry’s affiliation with the RI Elite basketball program. The director of the program clarified that it was not an RI Elite team involved in the game where the incident took place. Cherry had previously coached a team that was associated with RI Elite, but during the event, no RI Elite teams were present, nor were any of their coaches on site.
According to reports, the game in which the assault occurred was part of a charity basketball event organized by Isaiah Fuller, labeled the “TAFT” Basketball event. Fuller indicated that his team was not involved in the altercation, expressing appreciation for the community’s support despite the negative turn the event took after the game concluded.
This incident is reflective of a larger trend concerning violence against officials in youth sports. Reports show that nearly one in eight sports officials report experiencing physical assault in their careers. Over 90% of officials have noted a rise in verbal or physical abuse in the past five years. Alarmingly, about 60% of referees chose not to return to officiating due to consistent harassment and threats from participants, including parents and coaches.
Furthermore, statistics reveal that around 80% of new referees quit within two years primarily due to the abusive environment stemming from spectators and participants alike. This growing issue raises concerns about the future of youth sports and the safety of individuals tasked with officiating events.
As this situation develops, it raises critical questions about the measures in place to protect referees and the overall well-being of youth sports environments. The community reaction to the assault incident and the implications for local sports organizations remain to be seen, but the message is clear: violence in sports, particularly in youth programs, is a pressing concern that needs to be addressed.
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Additional Resources
- GoLocalProv: RI Youth Basketball Coach Attacks Ref
- Spectrum News: Physical and Verbal Assaults on Officials
- ABC6: Man Arrested for Assaulting Referee
- Wikipedia: Youth Sports
- Turn to 10: Providence Place Mall’s Youth Guidelines
Author: STAFF HERE PROVIDENCE WRITER
PROVIDENCE STAFF WRITER The PROVIDENCE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREProvidence.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Providence, Providence County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as WaterFire, Rhode Island International Film Festival, and Rhode Island Comic Con. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce and Providence Warwick Convention & Visitors Bureau, plus leading businesses in finance and manufacturing that power the local economy such as Citizens Financial Group and Textron. As part of the broader HERE network, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Rhode Island's dynamic landscape.
