What’s the difference between yelling “You’ve got this! Let’s go!” while your friend is running the ball, and yelling “That’s embarrassing!” when a player on the other team has an injury? In both cases, you’re just a student yelling in excitement during a football game. The difference is sportsmanship– a behavior that seemingly needs to be taught the same amount to small children and grown adults. Because of this, allow me to provide a reminder “Sportsmanship” refers to the behavior of treating with respect the opposing team’s players, coaches, and the referees. In short, don’t be a sore loser, don’t be a prideful winner, and don’t be a jerk.
The HOIC Code of Conduct stated at the beginning of our football games state:
“Show sportsmanship in victory or defeat. Be positive in your actions and comments. Never single out an athlete or official with criticism. Set a good example for us and those around you. Cheer for good play. Practice self control. Remember: This is a game. We are here to have fun.”
One of the primary issues with poor student section sportsmanship lies with the rule about setting an example. The bleachers are filled with families with members young and old. Parents take their children to go and see the team play, and are instead bombarded with profanity, intense yelling, and unkind words, all from the students representing our school in the student section. Is this the example we set for the younger generation? Excitement at a football game is understandable, even more so when the team is composed of your friends and classmates. But it is very possible to cheer on your teammates and get loud as a group respectfully and positively. If the players are able to tackle one another and throw each other around, and then high-five or shake hands at the end, the supporters in the stands can very well root against the opposing team while still being respectful and friendly about it.
Unfortunately, sometimes bad things happen on the field during a game. One of the officials calls a disagreeable play, one of the opposing players injures one of your friends and it looked purposeful, or maybe it’s nearing the end of the game and your team hasn’t been preforming at top-notch for a while. All of these things are reasonable cause for being upset, but the response is the important part. Either you let these unfortunate events turn you into a siren spouting disrespectful words and cursing out the involved party, or you brush it off with a spirit of lightheartedness, knowing that it is not worth ruining another audience member’s experience just to let out some anger which won’t change anything in the first place.
Football season is nearly over at Dee-Mack this year, but when basketball and other athletic activities begin, our student section conduct must change. We must cheer on our team positively, treat the opposing team respectfully, and model to the other audience members wisely. It is only a game, and though it often gets intense, its friendly competitive nature does not change. Be positive in your actions and comments, and show sportsmanship in victory or defeat.
