Spring Break
A message for the student section
Marc Gauthier
Issue date: 2/11/09 Section: Sports
This is a message to the people.
Let's talk about the student section at men's basketball games.
There are just some things that the student section does that, quite frankly, are uncalled for. In fact, some of the things our fans do are straight up dumb, disrespectful and immature.
Let's begin with the thing that makes me cringe every time - the National Anthem. I've been to places where the fans shout their team name at the end of the song, replacing "home of the brave" with "home of the Huskies." That sort of thing I have no problem with.
But let's address what actually happens at men's games at Gampel Pavilion. Throughout the entire song, fans are constantly talking, shouting out unnecessary comments and swearing.
As an example, take the Providence game. Sure, we all got a laugh when Jeff Xavier's brother was arrested for walking onto the court, but to shout out "Where's your brother?" during the National Anthem? That's just unbelievable.
And how about the Michigan game? When the Conn Men were singing the National Anthem, I heard someone from the student section shout something along the lines of "Conn Men, you suck." Here I thought we were all cheering for all things UConn.
Besides all the yelling and swearing, this is the National Anthem we're talking about - a simple two and a half minutes that each person is asked to take to honor our country and all those who have given their lives to defend it. To me, there is no worse sign of disrespect than to interrupt it. So to those who think it's cool to hear your voice echo across Gampel, thanks for disgracing yourself, the rest of the student section and the university as a whole.
And if Ray Allen, Donyell Marshall or any of the other UConn legends who were at the Michigan game happen to read this, I apologize on behalf of the UConn students.
Now let's address the oh-so-original chants the student section comes up with. One of my personal favorites is the "a--hole chant." Granted, we probably aren't the only school in the country who uses this one, but I want to question the integrity of the chant itself - oh wait, there is none.
Let's talk about the student section at men's basketball games.
There are just some things that the student section does that, quite frankly, are uncalled for. In fact, some of the things our fans do are straight up dumb, disrespectful and immature.
Let's begin with the thing that makes me cringe every time - the National Anthem. I've been to places where the fans shout their team name at the end of the song, replacing "home of the brave" with "home of the Huskies." That sort of thing I have no problem with.
But let's address what actually happens at men's games at Gampel Pavilion. Throughout the entire song, fans are constantly talking, shouting out unnecessary comments and swearing.
As an example, take the Providence game. Sure, we all got a laugh when Jeff Xavier's brother was arrested for walking onto the court, but to shout out "Where's your brother?" during the National Anthem? That's just unbelievable.
And how about the Michigan game? When the Conn Men were singing the National Anthem, I heard someone from the student section shout something along the lines of "Conn Men, you suck." Here I thought we were all cheering for all things UConn.
Besides all the yelling and swearing, this is the National Anthem we're talking about - a simple two and a half minutes that each person is asked to take to honor our country and all those who have given their lives to defend it. To me, there is no worse sign of disrespect than to interrupt it. So to those who think it's cool to hear your voice echo across Gampel, thanks for disgracing yourself, the rest of the student section and the university as a whole.
And if Ray Allen, Donyell Marshall or any of the other UConn legends who were at the Michigan game happen to read this, I apologize on behalf of the UConn students.
Now let's address the oh-so-original chants the student section comes up with. One of my personal favorites is the "a--hole chant." Granted, we probably aren't the only school in the country who uses this one, but I want to question the integrity of the chant itself - oh wait, there is none.
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
Dr. Maurice Feinstein
posted 2/11/09 @ 3:14 PM EST
I am a faculty member at the UCONN Health Center. I have been a season ticket holder for both men's and women's games for many years. I am responding to your article above, specifically about conduct during the National Anthem. (Continued…)
Post a Comment