Kevin Gordon Column in the Sentinel-Tribune

[poltergeist]

Considering this topic comes up almost every year, it is a problem. The townspeople and others who PAY to see the games will start to think twice before coming. We have a hard enough time with attendance and this will only get worse given that the WCHA conference schools are almost unknown to anyone outside of college hockey. We really don't need people staying away because it is no longer a family friendly environment.

last time I checked, students PAY too. $747.00 per semester in general fees.
I'm a townsperson, and the "asshole" chant has no bearing on whether me or my family will purchase tickets. hearing a few rank words doesn't offend me personally.
what bothers me is that it shows lack of respect toward visiting athletes, and that does reflect on BGSU. seriously, now a guy's an "asshole" for tripping, interference, or letting in a goal? nonsense. let's save "asshole" for people who really are assholes.
I don't want other schools thinking about BGSU what we think of the michiganders. sportsmanship still matters, a little.

but you're right, students can be reasoned with.
the "common sense" approach is to get students to buy in to the program--and rinse and repeat every year, relentlessly. and we don't sell the program with "you're censored! it is forbidden to use zis word!"...
we sell general sportsmanship and respect for the opponent.

[pdt1081]

This seems like a place to ask this.

What is the purpose of the "Spirit Skaters?"

[rood]

This seems like a place to ask this.

What is the purpose of the "Spirit Skaters?"

Do they not raise your spirits?

[Falcon Fanatic]

This seems like a place to ask this.

What is the purpose of the "Spirit Skaters?"

Do they not raise your spirits?

They make me laugh when they throw the balled up shirts and hit the glass! So I guess they do raise my spirits!

[musicman2343]

This seems like a place to ask this.

What is the purpose of the "Spirit Skaters?"

Do they not raise your spirits?

They make me laugh when they throw the balled up shirts and hit the glass! So I guess they do raise my spirits!

The one in trying to throw it into section D on Saturday tried 4 times and hit the glass each time! It was hilarious!!

[pdt1081]

Do they not raise your spirits?

They're not "Falconettes," that's for sure.

Anyways, I ask because there seems to be people complaining about some of the cheers coming from the student section. And there's a group of students organized by the athletic departtment. Rather than just having them skate (well, some of them attempt) before the game, during intermision, and one media timeout, why not put them in the stands to get the cheers going? Make them visible during the game instead of letting them hide behind the zamboni doors.

[BGDrew]

The only chants I have any problem with are the "A-hole" and "Bulls***" ones. I'd like to see those go away and something a lot more creative in their place.

I don't think jackass is really that bad.

[Falcon Hockey Fan]

Coming from a Bleacher Creature, I think it is important that you all know we are trying to do something about this. Students can be reasoned with, but throwing us all out of the student section won't accomplish anything. Chances are, no one would come back and then our arena would look like OSU's arena from this past Tuesday... Also, consider that different teams act differently. Some teams come out and play dirty and that gets us going. The Creatures will work to better control the student section, but we can't possibly stop every "foul" chant that is started. Lastly, keep in mind that we don't start them. Typically, it is a student that doesn't understand the game, so when they see a nasty hit on one of our guys they start up a chant. We will do what we can, just give us some time to come up with a plan of action.

[poltergeist]

Coming from a Bleacher Creature, I think it is important that you all know we are trying to do something about this. Students can be reasoned with, but throwing us all out of the student section won't accomplish anything. Chances are, no one would come back and then our arena would look like OSU's arena from this past Tuesday... Also, consider that different teams act differently. Some teams come out and play dirty and that gets us going. The Creatures will work to better control the student section, but we can't possibly stop every "foul" chant that is started. Lastly, keep in mind that we don't start them. Typically, it is a student that doesn't understand the game, so when they see a nasty hit on one of our guys they start up a chant. We will do what we can, just give us some time to come up with a plan of action.

well said, and thanks for what ya'll are doing. the occasional foul chant aside, having a loud and proud student section makes a huuuge difference. it's gotta be a big boost for the team, and it's more fun for the rest of us too. good work. roll along.

[Falcon Fanatic]

Coming from a Bleacher Creature, I think it is important that you all know we are trying to do something about this. Students can be reasoned with, but throwing us all out of the student section won't accomplish anything. Chances are, no one would come back and then our arena would look like OSU's arena from this past Tuesday... Also, consider that different teams act differently. Some teams come out and play dirty and that gets us going. The Creatures will work to better control the student section, but we can't possibly stop every "foul" chant that is started. Lastly, keep in mind that we don't start them. Typically, it is a student that doesn't understand the game, so when they see a nasty hit on one of our guys they start up a chant. We will do what we can, just give us some time to come up with a plan of action.

well said, and thanks for what ya'll are doing. the occasional foul chant aside, having a loud and proud student section makes a huuuge difference. it's gotta be a big boost for the team, and it's more fun for the rest of us too. good work. roll along.

Agree! Our student section has been AWESOME (despite the foul language)! Coaches and players have repeatedly mentioned (through interviews and Twitter) how much they appreciate the strong and loud student section we now have!!

GO FALCONS!!
Beat duh mavs!!!

[Falcon Hockey Fan]

Thank you for your support. We have noticed that the student section has been a lot bigger and more involved this year, even with the teams not being as well-known. We hope to continue to grow, and we plan to shape into a loud, rowdy, but also respectable group of students. Besides for football, hockey is the biggest sport on this campus, and we consider it our job to lead it and help it grow. If you have any other thoughts or concerns, feel free to direct message us on our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/thebleachercreatures. We are doing all that we can do help create a great atmosphere in the arena, but we also need to make sure we are not driving community members away because we are too inappropriate or vulgar.

[Falcon Fanatic]

Thank you for your support. We have noticed that the student section has been a lot bigger and more involved this year, even with the teams not being as well-known. We hope to continue to grow, and we plan to shape into a loud, rowdy, but also respectable group of students. Besides for football, hockey is the biggest sport on this campus, and we consider it our job to lead it and help it grow. If you have any other thoughts or concerns, feel free to direct message us on our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/thebleachercreatures. We are doing all that we can do help create a great atmosphere in the arena, but we also need to make sure we are not driving community members away because we are too inappropriate or vulgar.

+10000000000000!!

[mscarn]

An unsanctioned student group was kicked out of Missouri's basketball arena for inappropriate chants:

http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketb ... cked-again

The article contained this classic sentence: "The Antlers' leader -- referred to as the grand poobah -- met last week with university leaders, including the vice chancellor for student affairs."

[poltergeist]

An unsanctioned student group was kicked out of Missouri's basketball arena for inappropriate chants:

http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketb ... cked-again

The article contained this classic sentence: "The Antlers' leader -- referred to as the grand poobah -- met last week with university leaders, including the vice chancellor for student affairs."

how did they make a chant out of "Raise your hand if you thought Hurricane Katrina was a good thing". I mean, it's a bit long, isn't it?