Goon’s Ramblings 09-12-2006.

Student Behavior at Sporting Events
There seems to be a reoccurring theme appearing on college campuses nationwide, as the college sports season kicks off. There is a big focus on college campuses by school administrations on what to do about student behavior, antics and cheers at college sporting events. The University of North Dakota is not at all immune from this issue. Last season the UND athletic director Tom Bunning held forums at Engelstad Arena before the hockey season to discuss on what is expected from its students body as far as student behavior, and what type of language that is acceptable and not acceptable while attending University of North Dakota sporting events. The issue has also been discussed in great lengths on Siouxsports.com as well. The debate has been fast and furious. Some students have claimed that their first amendment rights are being trampled upon by heavy handed college administrations. On the flip side of the issue some older fans are tired of hearing profanity laced cheers coming from the student sections at college sporting events.
BU to Clean Up Student Language at Sporting Events
So fast forward to the present, Boston University Administration is trying to clean up it’s student’s language at sporting events. Dean of students Kenneth Elmore told The Boston Globe the school adopted the no-swearing policy after numerous complaints about profane language during hockey games.
BU Administration to control students behavior I guess the BU administration is not happy about the F’em up BC sucks cheer.
BU Video

Drop the puck addresses the issue in his blog: Check out DTP's article on the issue.

Are Profanity Laced Cheers Protected Under the First Amendment?
One question seems to come up all the time. Are profanity laced cheers protected under the first amendment? Do students have the right to say what ever they want during sporting events. The answer is no. The United States Supreme Court ruled against the students in such a case.

In more recent Supreme Court cases (Bethel School District v. Fraser in 1986 and Hazelwood School District v. Kuhlmeier in 1988), the majority ruled that in the case of obscene speech, school authorities may discipline the perpetrator because the school has a right to control the manner of the speech if not the political content. Furthermore, in Hazelwood, the Court ruled that in curricular-based productions like an official school newspaper, school authorities have the right to regulate content in "any reasonable manner," taking into account the maturity of the audience and the reasonable desire to proscribe any student speech advocating use of drugs or alcohol, irresponsible sex, or improper conduct. Thus, school officials are given considerable discretion over the content of school-sponsored publications and performances.

This isn’t an isolated issue, its happening all over the place. It’s also was an issue in Michigan few years back. Here is a link to the Albion student newspaper.
Another Example

A similar issue arose at Albion last year during the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) men’s basketball tournament. A group of Albion students chanted “F---Hope, F--- Calvin,” as fans from the two schools left Kresge Gymnasium after their semifinal game. Just like Williams, President Peter Mitchell addressed the crowd before the championship game against Hope a few days later, apologizing to the Hope crowd. Mitchell also sent an email to the entire student body, stating: “I expect the highest standard of conduct from our fans.”

Do fans have an unlimited right of speech, or is it an administration’s responsibility to limit what can and cannot be said?

Bruce Weaver, professor of speech communication, has taught a free speech class for the past 12 years and feels that free speech in general, let alone at sporting events, is never absolute.

“To assume that we can do whatever we want, whenever we want, is ridiculous,” Weaver said. “Keep in mind that free speech is speech in the public domain. If you are attending a public event, part of attending is to keep in mind that you will be held within some sort of behavioral norm

Stay tuned this issue will not go away and its only going to grow as football, hockey and basketball season begin around the nation.

Goon’s Perspective on Profanity at Sporting Events

I am not going to take the high road on this as say that all profanity is bad, but I would not condone using F’bombs in cheers at sporting events where children where hear it, and they have in the past at the REA. Minor profanity such as the S’bombs may have a place sporting events, but they just may just barely skirt the line of unacceptable behavior.

As you know I think the officiating in the WCHA is horrible and most of the officials in this league don’t deserve the paychecks they get for the officiating they do. I personally don’t object to the fans giving the refs like Don Adam the bullshit cheer when he screws up yet another game. I do however think cheers (linked up above) like the F’em up B.C. sucks cheer is a vile and vulgar, plus it has no place in a hockey arena. To the morons like Kendall Lyons that say their right are being trampled on by their school’s administration need to get a clue, obscenities are not protected under the first amendment Lastly students like Lyons need to grow up and join the adult world. Just because you are a college student doesn’t give you the right to act like a dolt. You also sound like an idiot when you say things like that. Your also bringing unneeded focus to your university.