Humor is often cited as a response to a situation of unexpectedness. Humor is truly the absence of normality. Take five minutes and watch the latest episode of Family Guy.
It’s a man stepping lightly over thin ice, only to slip and fall when he gets to the opposite shore. It’s a view of the back of a woman’s head as she is getting a cute new hair cut only to have her chair swing around to reveal a huge uni-brow. A man burping, loudly, in the middle of The Rake’s Progress.
It’s Tom Brady getting stood up on a date. That kid who sings “Chocolate Rain” on Youtube.
That is why during a timeout at the Banks-North Marion football game I had to chuckle as the PA announcer read the rules and regulations for fan conduct: The OSAA has deemed disinterest unacceptable behavior.
Somewhere the NHL taking notes. And Mike Tyson calling a lawyer.
It was roughly a year ago that the OSAA adopted this new policy to clean up high school sporting events. Athletic Directors from around the state came together to create a plan that would give each school guidelines to follow. It was about a year ago they decided to outlaw any cheers or actions not aimed at supporting one’s team – including chants of “Airball” and pre-game rituals like reading the newspaper while the opposing team is introduced.
Rule 3.3, Policy 67, Part D. states: All cheers, comments and actions shall be in direct support of one’s team… Some examples of inappropriate conduct or actions that are not permitted are: turning backs, holding up newspapers… during opposing team introductions; disrespecting players by name, number or position; negative cheers or chants…
Athletic Directors from around the state agreed that this addition, along with the others, would help create a better, safer and more welcoming environment for athletes and fans alike. The main goal was to keep fans supporting their team and away from belittling the opposition.
Great. I’m just glad no one reads The Constitution anymore.
“If we don’t tolerate this [behavior] in our cafeterias and classrooms,” OSAA Executive Director Tom Welter said. “Why should we allow it in the gymnasiums? Really, it’s about treating other people how you want to be treated”
I agree that kids should be taught to treat everyone, including the opposition, with respect. I’d never condone anything that was truly negative or racial insensitive. But, c’mon, seriously? The kids can’t even turn their backs anymore? They can’t read the sports section?
No wonder newspapers are dying all over the state. From November to March, high schoolers were our main source of revenue!
“We understand they are teenagers, we aren’t trying to make it the NFL – the No Fun League – but, we want to have good, healthy, spirited competition.”
That’s what these cheers and actions were to the fans – a good, healthy, spirited competition. It was it’s own game outside the game. Feigning interest in another team isn’t going to change the atmosphere of any game. The opposition isn’t going to feel more welcomed or respected. Really, they would rather be disrespected.
I have spoken with many athletes, high school to professional, and never have I found someone who was adversely affected by verbal or non-verbal fan interaction during a game. If anything, it is spun as a motivational tool by a coach. Athletes pay for wins with the they-don’t-think-we-can-do-it card. They spell out “they are disrespecting us” in their Alphabets cereal every morning. They think Cheerios are mocking them.
“These recommendations and policies were proposed and adopted by member schools.” Welter said. “The schools are the ones that want to clean this up. The problem was one school was doing one thing and another school was doing another. It was about creating consistency.”
There was already a constant in the high school sports world: Student fans don’t care about the opposition. Positive or negative. That’s why they turn the other way or pick up a paper. It’s not disrespect, they just don’t care.
What next, outlaw texting while the other team is introduced? Teachers walking through the stands: Pay attention kids! There is a test on the starting line-up later!
I’m all about a positive atmosphere for our youth but regulating an a group’s expression of individual interest is really, for lack of a better word, funny.
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