Class?

[MiamiBando]

vulgarity is a sore subject for me.
As a parent i do not care for it, its like smoke I dont put kids in a place to overly exposed. I aslo fight with myself to keep myself clean around them.
As a fan and a vocal one at that it i at times sound like I have terets.
the root is free speach. Its all covered and if you dont like it, like I dont when I am in parent mode i will move rather than disturb anothers enjoyment and self expression. in fan mode if asked to refrain, I dont fight the request, but meet it with, i will try hold back but this part of how I enjoy the game, if you like i will look for a new seat between...qters, periods.
Tolleance is all that is people need and accepting that some folks like to cuss up storm while enjoying a game.
Why not a cussing section and none cussing....there are to many times that a Golly you roten son of a gun just is not what should be said.

That's Tourrette's Syndrome.... and I know at least one person has it on here.

And he doesn't curse because of it. That's a rare(the rarist) form. But it would damn fun to use it... wouldn't it?

[transfer2BGSU]

I guess in the end this may be a somewhat pointless debate, but I feel like it needs to be said.

Something does need to be said and you (as a student) should say it.

I would encourage you to write an editorial to the BG News. Or if you do not want to have some student criticize you in the paper, thenI would have you encourage the BG News to write an editorial about this type of behavior and how it is not appropriate for students to use profanities as they are demeaning the reputation of our fine istitution. But it's got to come from a student. A peer. One of their own.

[Jacobs4Heisman]

I guess in the end this may be a somewhat pointless debate, but I feel like it needs to be said.

Something does need to be said and you (as a student) should say it.

I would encourage you to write an editorial to the BG News. Or if you do not want to have some student criticize you in the paper, thenI would have you encourage the BG News to write an editorial about this type of behavior and how it is not appropriate for students to use profanities as they are demeaning the reputation of our fine istitution. But it's got to come from a student. A peer. One of their own.

Although I applaud the intentions, and agree that it should be attempted, the impact on the behavior of the students will be little to none unless the majority of students in the student section feel the same way, and are all willing to stand up to offenders.

I've witnessed countless times at various sporting events on campus friends of mine calmly ask profane students to watch their language. Those attempts are met with more profanity 99% of the time, and usually cause the offender to be even worse. I hope more of the current students can affect more change than my friends and myself were able to.

For the record, I unfortunately let myself get to into games too much a lot of times, and used to let more than the occasional profanity slip. The exception to that was when there were children or families around (excluding 'lil Dakich). Students who are overly vulgar when there are families within earshot should get punched by their fellow students until they stop.

[FliccGirl]

vulgarity is a sore subject for me.
As a parent i do not care for it, its like smoke I dont put kids in a place to overly exposed. I aslo fight with myself to keep myself clean around them.
As a fan and a vocal one at that it i at times sound like I have terets.
the root is free speach. Its all covered and if you dont like it, like I dont when I am in parent mode i will move rather than disturb anothers enjoyment and self expression. in fan mode if asked to refrain, I dont fight the request, but meet it with, i will try hold back but this part of how I enjoy the game, if you like i will look for a new seat between...qters, periods.
Tolleance is all that is people need and accepting that some folks like to cuss up storm while enjoying a game.
Why not a cussing section and none cussing....there are to many times that a Golly you roten son of a gun just is not what should be said.

That's Tourrette's Syndrome.... and I know at least one person has it on here.

And he doesn't curse because of it. That's a rare(the rarist) form. But it would damn fun to use it... wouldn't it?

Actually, it's spelled "Tourette's Syndrome." My older sister has it, and no, she doesn't have the verbal form, either. Really, hardly anyone has that form, it's just the most well-known. (In fact, it really gives most people a highly mistaken idea of Tourette's... it's really not particularly any more humorous than any other syndrome.) (*steps off soapbox* )

And no one's suggesting that fans yell, "Gee whiz, ref, that call sure was rotten." But it's just a matter of courtesy, especially with kids around. Creativity and expressiveness are not synonymous with vulgarity.

I'm sure parents and others appreciate your willingness to tone down the cussing, macman, but as others have noted, many people aren't at all considerate about it.

[Falcon Fanatic]

I can't tell you how angry it makes me to hear these kids destroying the goal count and the lineup taunt. I want to see BG students represent the University in a positive light and make the arena a great place to be, no matter what age.

I guess I just hear all of the stories about the way things used to be in BG's heyday and wish these kids could drop the vulgarity and try to sound intelligent.
But maybe that's just wishful thinking. I'd like to hope not.

I applaud you, Periginner!! It's refreshing to see a student feel this way. Unfortunately, the goal count has slowly died over the years and most of these students DON'T remember or never witnessed it when it was done right. I think getting the BAND on board with this whole thing is KEY!! The band can lead and set the tone, the cadence, or whatever, for how it's done. I talked with the Band Director at the Western game and he was more than willing to play the fight song, then stop for the goal count...now we need to teach the band how that goal count should be done, with appropriate drum beats, etc... I am sure that if they lead the way, the rest will follow!! As far as the vulgarity, I was thinking what Transfer suggested...either write a letter to the BG News or have them do an appropriate editorial!!! In any case, keep up the good work and fighting the good fight!! It's worth it!!!

GO FALCONS!!
SWEEP THE WEASELS!!

[Peregrinner]

Here is the letter to the BG news that I will be sending later today:

Like many others who were in attendance for the Monday night hockey game against Ferris State, my ears have not stopped ringing (nor my stomach churning) from the multiple volleys of vulgar remarks directed at the opposing team, the officials, and even (from time to time) our own players. As a result, many others in the student section and I have been left wondering what happened to the class and tradition of the BG Hockey fans.
Unfortunately, some fans have recently taken it upon themselves to turn what was once a wonderful and storied tradition into a mash of vulgarity and blatantly offensive remarks. If the Falcon fans of BG Hockey’s heyday saw this, they’d surely be sick to their stomachs as well.
What the BG Hockey program needs is not a group of inebriated morons screaming homophobic remarks at the officials and opponents, it is a group of respectful and responsible fans who will represent the university in a positive way. Witty, clean chants have more effect on opposing teams than the cookie-cutter (ripped off from Michigan and Miami) vulgar chants.
Many families attend the games and bring children with them and Falcon fans need to be mindful of this fact. It’s OK to get loud to support your team, but please, do so with the image of the university and its students in mind.
That being said, everyone come out Saturday and support the Falcons against Michigan. Let’s keep it clean and rock the ice arena and send the Wolverines packing just like we did the Buckeyes!

Any suggestions?

[TG1996]

I think that letter is perfect.

As to your original post, I hope it was just anger and frustration coming out when you said it made you not want to go back. (Or something to that effect.) BG hockey needs students like yourself at the games, and even if you can't convert everyone of the offenders, you can definitely get more to see what's up than if you avoided the Arena altogether.

I'm as guilty as anyone of letting some less-than-family-friendly remarks come from my mouth (shocked, I know!), but dropping obscenities and homophobic comments into regular chants just isn't right, no matter HOW gay Shegos may be! (You know, not that there's anything wrong with that! )

Keep up the good fight!!!

[TheKa]

AWESOME Letter Peregrinner! I think you hit each point perfectly! I have long said that the Michigan fans have obviously not used their overpriced educations to come up with CREATIVE cheers! I can't stand that it seems like each and every cheer we have (at this point) was stolen from somewhere else, namely Michigan. Who by the way stole their cheers too!

I have long been sickened by the language that the student section uses, especially after being blamed for it by some casual fans who thought I sat in that section while they were leaving with their children saying they would never come back. This was at last years Michigan game when I thought they completely crossed the line by screaming "f*ck Montoya!" over and over again. In fact, I turned around to the AD who was sitting a few feet behind me in the pressbox and asked him if he was going to stop it, he went down to the student section, but by this time, it was too late.

I will easily admit that my language isn't exactly clean during the games, In fact, I used a few choice words at the people who OBVIOUSLY don't know the rules of College hockey when they were cheering what was trying to turn into a fight last night. But I NEVER do this with families around that have children. EVER. I guess it's called growing up, because a few years ago, I might not have even thought about it.

I'm not too old to remember my college years, since they were a few short years ago and I'm embarassed by what I'm witnessing. I'd love to see the days of the KNOWLEDGABLE hockey fan make it back to BG. I've been here through thick and thin with this program and am determined to see it make it all the way back. I'm only 29 and honestly, after 29 years of watching this program, I won't accept anything less than the best effort from our team and our FANS!

GO FALCONS!
BEAT MICHIGAN!
Erika

[MACMAN]

One other item of note would have to be one that i remember hearing on recent( with in the last 8 months?) new program reguarding profanity and the use of curse words.
The program basicly said that they are now as comon words in every day comunication and have much of their impact.

As far as not wanting to hear them or thinking they degrade the UnIV I bet that is more an individual point of view, to that end the ice arena is pvt properity and if the Univ wants to enforce a no profanity rule, they have every right.

Further about the fights. My feeling is this. hockey is a unique sport due to the fluidity of play and the amount of contact. These two items when combined with the level of competition result in some extra activites. Teh NCAA has put out far to heavy a penalty system for fighting, time in the box is more than ample for fighting, gloves on or off makes no difference. I fully support the let them go as long as they are standing rule. i fully support ejections for boarding, and a few other cheap hacks. But not fighting. I dont go for the fights, the fights are far to short, but when you have enforcer...like we had in Mac back in the 80's its part of his job...hell if the rules now were in play then he would have played in about 4 games his whole time as a falcon. It establishes further dominace and controll, gets the team more fired up and the fans fired up. there are far to many other good reasons to enjoy a hockey game than fighting, but fights play an important roll in SOME games when they raise thier head and to penalize them because some think they have no place in hockey is just as wrong as going to a game to see a fight. Hockey is fast and physical...its dam near the perfect sport if such a game could exist

[pdt1081]

Further about the fights. My feeling is this. hockey is a unique sport due to the fluidity of play and the amount of contact. These two items when combined with the level of competition result in some extra activites. Teh NCAA has put out far to heavy a penalty system for fighting, time in the box is more than ample for fighting, gloves on or off makes no difference. I fully support the let them go as long as they are standing rule. i fully support ejections for boarding, and a few other cheap hacks. But not fighting. I dont go for the fights, the fights are far to short, but when you have enforcer...like we had in Mac back in the 80's its part of his job...hell if the rules now were in play then he would have played in about 4 games his whole time as a falcon. It establishes further dominace and controll, gets the team more fired up and the fans fired up. there are far to many other good reasons to enjoy a hockey game than fighting, but fights play an important roll in SOME games when they raise thier head and to penalize them because some think they have no place in hockey is just as wrong as going to a game to see a fight. Hockey is fast and physical...its dam near the perfect sport if such a game could exist

I have to disagree with some of this. There is nothing wrong with fighting in hockey, as long as the gloves and helmets stay on. When the gloves drop, it's only to injure. A lot of the extra shoving after the whistle is because these guys know each other. They played against or with each other in juniors or before. That's why it's possible to see two players shoving and talking trash during the game, then laughing and having a pleasant conversation during the handshake. There's respect and friendship throughout college hockey. They know it's "heat of the moment" type stuff and usually there are no ill feelings after the game. Allow the dropping of the gloves type fighting, and a lot of this will disappear. The ejection rule is there to protect players and the purity of the game.

[always a falcon]

First- Congrats on having the good sense as a student to stand up for what you think is right. Your parents should be proud.

Second- I have to disagree with the fighting premise. The reason I LOVE college hockey and wouldn't set foot in an NHL arena is the purity and lack of fighting in the college game. I love the skills of the players and the flow of the game. We are still in a teaching setting, and I think the penalties for fisticuffs are proper.

Third- The vulgarity. Where are the creative imaginings? Do we, who are the alums, need to go over in force to the student section and spread out and outcheer those who choose to behave as dolts?

Do we, as a group, get to the athletic department?

I know there has to be a fine line between getting butts in the seats, or having asses, but something needs to be done.

I may be wrong- but is there no sign that indicates WHICH is the student section? So that families can be warned. You don't see people in the front rows of the Doyt, and you can count on the AA and SS in Anderson, so why are we so confused in Hockey?

I don't have all the answers for sure, but would like to be part of the solution if needed.

[Peregrinner]

Do we, who are the alums, need to go over in force to the student section and spread out and outcheer those who choose to behave as dolts?

Oh by all means, please do. As far as I know, things haven't been the same in the arena for awhile, and I don't think anything but a lot of good could come from a strong Alumni presence in or near the student section.
I agree with a lot of you, some of these kids will never change. A sporting event to some of these kids is no more than an excuse to get wasted and make a spectacle of themselves. I do think, however, that a majority (like myself) can be converted from the crude behavior and see the light that is the BG tradition.
Thanks for the support, I really appreciate it. After a few minor edits, I will be sending the letter on to the BG News.

[Bleeding Orange]

Third- The vulgarity. Where are the creative imaginings? Do we, who are the alums, need to go over in force to the student section and spread out and outcheer those who choose to behave as dolts?

I would say yes, by all means - but bearing a few things in mind.

(1) Don't go into the student section, sit there and do nothing. Profanity aside for the moment, part of the appeal of sitting in the student section (for me anyways) is the ability to get involved, scream and yell. It is annoying going to a game over break, sitting in the student section and being surrounded by people who outwardly don't appear to care where they are. And,

(2) DON'T BRING SMALL CHILDREN, OR CHILDREN OF ANY PERSUASION INTO THE STUDENT SECTION!!! Again, this comment is inspired by seeing games over break. I wanted to absolutly smack the crap out of every person who would put their children in a position to so easily hear the foul language students use, and whether students are cursing in an organized fashion or not doesn't really matter. As many have noted, when people are so into a game they sometimes slip, whether people mean to cuss or not. What made me even more mad was that many of these people, no doubt, are among those who complain about the vulgarity. The whole point of having a student section is to allow kids to be loud and feel that they are involved in the game. Allow me to italicize this statement for useless emphasis - if you take a child into the student section you are a terrible parent and give up your right forever to complain about anything.

Phew. OK. Those two things being said, I think it is absolutely imperative that people who care and are willing to lead - whether they are students or alum - be in the student section. Otherwise nothing will ever change and we will be having this conversation forever, and probably just more frequently, on this board. In fact, for those of you "seasoned alums" ( ) who may not feel that you can no longer pass as a student, I would suggest that you all get together and get some orange or brown (or orange and brown ) t-shirts made that say things like "Section A Alum," or even something like "Peer Educator." Let people know that you are there for a reason and that you have something to teach them.

I firmly believe that if passionate students and alumni alike band together to fight for our traditions and show students that people really do care about that school in the middle of the cornfields of NW Ohio, students will begin to care, too. Heck, it might even help some of them realize that it is okay]/i] to be a passionate BGSU fan, no matter what their OSU/Michigan families may have taught them!

God, I wish I didn't live in Arizona...

[Peregrinner]

I will be the first to admit that I used to swear all the time at the games, and sometimes in the heat of the moment still do. The difference, at least in my mind, is that I'm not screaming about doing the official's mother, but rather just quietly slipping and saying "holy sh*t" to myself when a crazy awesome scoring opportunity converts.
I do, however, agree that small children should not be brought into the student section by their parents. Regardless of the language, that is a very intense, sometimes physical situation, and by no means is a small child equipped to deal with that.

[TheKa]

Bleeding-

You are 100% right about bringing kids into the student section, but I do have one thing to say about that...

I have been sitting in section F for over 20 years and we can VERY CLEARLY hear what the students are chanting over a section away. So, that's why the vulgarity needs to stop! As you are well aware, sound travels and it's been difficult to explain over the past few years to my little cousins (now ages 9, 7, 6 and 2 1/2) what the students are saying. They look up to the college kids and want to do the same things they are doing (as well as what the fans in our section are doing). I think I have the 6 year old convinced that they say "see ya...joker!" but that won't last long as he gets older. He'll still be there every weekend and even though he can't play hockey due to a medical condition, he'll hopefully be one of the biggest BG fans ever! Now, if I can just get the 2 1/2 year old to stop screaming "GO YANKEES!" LOL!

As I've said before, it's a matter of people being different as the years go on. When I was young, my parents NEVER had a fear taking me to our arena as well as each and every arena in the league, but honestly now, I would NEVER take children to certain arenas in the league and I really hope that people don't begin thinking that way about BG!

GO FALCONS!
Erika