School official calls foul on hecklers

[Jimbo S]

http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=540731

Like many schools, New Berlin West High School has "super fans" who sometimes go overboard at sporting events.

After throwing some members of a group known as "Lewie's Lunatics" out of a girls basketball game Friday, Vice Principal Robert Krecak decided to do some administrative heckling of his own.

He called the boisterous students into the field house Monday and gave them a pop quiz.

"We're trying to teach our kids that it's appropriate to go to a game and have fun, but not at the expense (of) making fun of the other team members, like by talking about their weight or what they look like," he said.
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I read the article and I'm 100% behind it. This is one issue I have strong feelings.

I was taught to keep it positive - positive support for your school without the need to cut down your opponents. I find all the chatting going on today to be quite boorish and immature.

My high school's basketball team went to that state tournament and the pep rally the day prior the coach grabbed the microphone, made his speech how the players are excited and thanked the students who showed up for the games so far, then went on to say "those of you who can't refrain from the you-you-you and BS chants, then STAY AWAY because you are an EMBARASSMENT to the team and to the school. We don't want you there." That was quite sobering. Wished more coaches and principals had the *courage* to do such a thing nowadays. Oh yeah, it would hurt too many feelings.

This was discussed on another message board I frequent and I was astonished that about half feel there is nothing wrong with spectators chanting taunts at the opponents.

[TygrBright]

1. I'm with you...

...when I was in school back in the Cretaceous Period, we were taught to politely applaud the opponents when they were introduced before the game, and to politely applaud even if they won, when they shook hands with our players after the game.

It was also quite well thought of to applaud a particularly well-executed play by the opponents, even if it resulted in a score for their side.

Of course, we were expected to applaud MUCH LOUDER and more enthusiastically for the home team. But sportsmanship was considered a requirement for players AND fans.

nostalgically,
Bright

[Lance_Boyle]

2. Mr. Krecak would not like the Cameron Crazies...

maybe it's just different in college. The chants and ribbing and the "you! you! you!" for called fouls are as much a part of the game atmosphere as the good natured "Hi, {playername}!" enthusiastically given by the crowd when the opposing team's players are introduced before tipoff. This strikes me as WAY too much ado about nothing.

[Buzz Clik]

4. The Cameron kids are fairly insane, but it's a different game.

The teams showing up for NCAA games at Duke are riding full scholarships. The girls targeted in high school play for fun -- they don't need a crew of idiots chanting at them every time they miss a shot.

[Lance_Boyle]

7. I would venture to say

that even the full-ride scholarship athletes in the NCAA are also playing for fun, or love of the game, or some such thing.

Forbidding the "airball" chant, even at the HS level, seems ridiculous to me.

[Bake]

6. I don't like the Cameron Crazies either

But then I simply despise Duke. Always have. Always will.

Bake

[Lance_Boyle]

8. tarhole.

:P

;-)

[Jimbo S]

10. The thing about Duke fans

is they are the ones that high school kids are emulating nowadays. Maybe it's one thing at the college level, but I cringed when I started seeing it at the high school level.

[Buzz Clik]

3. Not a bad idea to nip it early.

These kids are feeding the pool of initially well-intentioned parents who go over the top in supporting their young children at sporting events.

[LizW]

5. Good idea.

At the high school level, there should be a higher expectation for the behavior of the kids. Part of the point of sports (for participants and spectators) is learning good sportsmanship. I applaud the principal for letting the kids know what the expectations are and for holding to a high standard. These kids can have plenty of fun and enjoy the games without being mean.

[-..__...]

9. Imagine the ruckus that would have ensued...

if Michael Richards was the coach for the opposing team?

[Jimbo S]

11. I'm glad someone agrees with me.

3 pro, 1 con.

Glad to see people still have a sense of civility in this society.

This school is two miles from where I live. I might stop by Friday night to see a game and check out the atmosphere.