Sifting & Winnowing - To the Congregation
Nobody likes a sermon, especially one on proper behavior. Such homilies are even less welcome when the congregation is made up of sports fans. Fans don't like hearing them, and I certainly don't like giving them.
But it seems that there's a trend running through collegiate sports lately. More and more often, fans are engaging in behavior that is less civil and more abusive, even dangerous. Look at what happened after Ohio State defeated Michigan in football last fall. Or after Minnesota's victory in the NCAA men's hockey championships. In both cases, celebrations turned into riots, changing what ought to have been terrific moments for those schools into an embarrassment for university officials and a nightmare for many of the people present.
In the wake of such events, I and the chief executives of the other Big Ten universities' alumni associations have decided to work together to try to help reduce unsportsmanlike fan behavior.
We realize, of course, that disturbances are caused by only a small number of fans, and that not all of those fans are alumni or current students. And we realize, too, that there's a limit to what we can accomplish. Riots and mob action are province of police and security personnel, not alumni associations.
But it seems that there's a trend running through collegiate sports lately. More and more often, fans are engaging in behavior that is less civil and more abusive, even dangerous. Look at what happened after Ohio State defeated Michigan in football last fall. Or after Minnesota's victory in the NCAA men's hockey championships. In both cases, celebrations turned into riots, changing what ought to have been terrific moments for those schools into an embarrassment for university officials and a nightmare for many of the people present.
In the wake of such events, I and the chief executives of the other Big Ten universities' alumni associations have decided to work together to try to help reduce unsportsmanlike fan behavior.
We realize, of course, that disturbances are caused by only a small number of fans, and that not all of those fans are alumni or current students. And we realize, too, that there's a limit to what we can accomplish. Riots and mob action are province of police and security personnel, not alumni associations.
However, mob actions are only one aspect of fan misbehavior. As my colleagues and I see it, a related, and far more widespread, problem is a level of incivility that is becoming more common. Fans are quite often insulting and even threatening to the opposing team's players, cheerleaders, and fans. I've seen it at Camp Randall and at just about every other stadium I've been to. But just because such behavior is widespread doesn't mean it's something we should tolerate. An abusive atmosphere can encourage more violent action.
Our goal, at WAA and the other Big Ten alumni associations, is to see that all fans know that unsportsmanlike conduct is unacceptable, whether in the stands or away from the field. We will work to educate alumni and other fans about the nature and extent of the problem, and we will work with university leaders to identify and remove the elements that encourage and enable fans to descend into rowdy and riotous behavior. And we're posting a summary of the ways in which the Big Ten plans to discourage unsportsmanlike crowds.
Our goal, at WAA and the other Big Ten alumni associations, is to see that all fans know that unsportsmanlike conduct is unacceptable, whether in the stands or away from the field. We will work to educate alumni and other fans about the nature and extent of the problem, and we will work with university leaders to identify and remove the elements that encourage and enable fans to descend into rowdy and riotous behavior. And we're posting a summary of the ways in which the Big Ten plans to discourage unsportsmanlike crowds.
My hope is that we'll be able to raise the value of sportsmanship and civility at UW-Madison and across the Big Ten. When we attend Badger games at Camp Randall or the Kohl Center or anywhere else, we express our connection to the university and its traditions in an open, emotional way. Let's make sure that these experiences are ones that we're proud to remember.
Let's make it so that sermons like this aren't necessary.
Paula Bonner MS'78
President and CEO
Wisconsin Alumni Association
Let's make it so that sermons like this aren't necessary.
Paula Bonner MS'78
President and CEO
Wisconsin Alumni Association
