Fan behavior at sporting events

[jimdahl]

There has been some discussion in this forum in the past (particularly following the UNA game) about fan behavior. I just wanted to alert everyone to a discussion about this issue, including some comments from the A.D., in the hockey forum. Though the letter is an attempt to influence fan behavior at hockey games (hence the forum), the A.D. specifically talks about football games, including the championship game.

I know there are some D-II football fans who visit this forum who aren't necessarily UND fans, so wouldn't have seen that discussion in the hockey forum. Though it's certainly true that there are bad fans everywhere, this is an issue about which the administration and the majority of fans are concerned.

[bigmrg74]

Thanks for pointing that out for the rest of us. Lord knows a lot of crazy things happen in the stands during games that can get well out of hand. Lord knows i've have heard a few things said in the stands by GVSU fans that would make a combat tested Marine blush! Heck, I've seen fights almost break out right next to me. There was this one girl student a few rows back of me during the NC game that was in a shouting match with an older couple because she was sitting there smoking right there in the stands, and blowing smoke right in their faces. She wasn't all that nice at all about it. *not to mention that only an IDIOT smokes anyways!! *

Then there was my personal favorate, a charactor I met when a bunch of us GVSU fans did the 15 hour roadtrip out to Boston to see the Bentley game. We are still kicking ourselves for not getting a picture of him, so that we could us it as some sort of Tshirt or something. Anyways, this gentlemen, who we refer to as Doogie, had the shear gall to sit right next to us, with maybe 2 or 3 friends of his, and to rip on us, our cheers, how we drove 15 hours to get to their rinky-dink HS field, our team, and how Bentley was going to stomp GVSU. This guy could have singlehandedly give some of the more intellectually challenged Bison fans a run for their money for shear stupidity. Even at the end of the game, he was still there, trying to pick a fight with us. And when he finally left, he left us with this parting gem, "At least we can still drink!" He made all of Bentley look stupid that day, when most of their fans went out of their way to be nice to us, offering us food and drink. Heck, one guy even moved his motorhome so we could park our van. We were even thinking of chanting a little "Yankee's Suck!" as our way of saying thanks to all of the Boston Area crowd.

The point here to all of this is that every crowd is going to have their bad apples in the bunch, that are going to cause trouble no matter what. But your AD is right to ask that the fans try to police themselves when it comes to these matters. Because, no matter what the Officals in Charge might try to do to keep things from getting way out of control, there are those who are not going to be happy with any widespread policy that they will hand down and will have to enforce. The less they have to do to keep the crowd under control will be better for everybody.

*personal favorate taunt ever - UC Davis @ GVSU - 2002 - "Where's your surfboards?"

[petey23]

Just watching espn outside the lines on fan behavior. One interesting point was the University of Maryland(a public institution) and their reluctance to escort fansfrom the arena for fear of lawsuits and the right to free speech.

[CoteauRinkRat]

Just watching espn outside the lines on fan behavior. One interesting point was the University of Maryland(a public institution) and their reluctance to escort fansfrom the arena for fear of lawsuits and the right to free speech.

I seen the same program and found the constitutional attorney's views quite interesting. He argued that it was really tough to remove someone from a game for bad language, especially in a publicly owned building.

[petey23]

Well it would be easy enough to remove them, it is the possible ramnifications and threat of a lawsuit that would stop them from doing so???

[ScottM]

It's far easier to remove somebody from a privately-owned facility, such as REA, than a publicly-owned facility such as Alerus. Public facilities are generally considered "forums" for speech, opinion, etc., no matter whether profanity is involved or not. Contrary to what some dimwits think, after reading the Stupid's opinion pages, the same First Amendment rights do not apply to REA, especially if they expressly limit speech, conduct, etc. Your tickets probably explain your rights and obligations, and you have a "license" to be there, not a "Right" under law.

Likewise, in some private facilities, it entirely appropriate to yell "Take it off!" at some woman, whereas it is not appropriate in other private facilities, such as the Guthrie Theatre.

[CoteauRinkRat]

It's far easier to remove somebody from a privately-owned facility, such as REA, than a publicly-owned facility such as Alerus. Public facilities are generally considered "forums" for speech, opinion, etc., no matter whether profanity is involved or not. Contrary to what some dimwits think, after reading the Stupid's opinion pages, the same First Amendment rights do not apply to REA, especially if they expressly limit speech, conduct, etc. Your tickets probably explain your rights and obligations, and you have a "license" to be there, not a "Right" under law.

Likewise, in some private facilities, it entirely appropriate to yell "Take it off!" at some woman, whereas it is not appropriate in other private facilities, such as the Guthrie Theatre.

Thanks ScottM

This debate has gone on for a long time and college sporting events isn't the first place to look at this issue.

[Diggler]

Likewise, in some private facilities, it entirely appropriate to yell "Take it off!" at some woman, whereas it is not appropriate in other private facilities, such as the Guthrie Theatre.

So the cop was right? Damnit! Guess maybe I should pay that fine now, huh?

[The Sicatoka]

So the cop was right? Damnit! Guess maybe I should pay that fine now, huh?

That, or never return to that jurisdiction.