Hockey game official limits free speech

[transfer2BGSU]

This was in yesterdays BG News and I did not see any comments about this on the board.
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Hockey game official limits free speech
By: Mark Pontious - Undergrad

After attending Friday's Bowling Green/Notre Dame hockey game, I left disgusted. The university tries to get more students to come to games to support the team, but then officials of the University proceed to kick these students out of the games for expressing their feelings.

During the game at least two students were forced to leave the arena for directing their middle fingers toward the general vicinity of the ice.

The man who removed them was a University official. Before he removed anyone, he first came over to the area in which I was standing to warn us about our language. This was provoked after he heard some students yelling obscenities after a call with which they disagreed.

I see two problems with his actions. The first is that I disagree with kicking the students out of the arena for their actions. Students have the First Amendment right of freedom of speech to express themselves. It was ruled that language or printed words cannot be censored in public unless "people in substantial numbers would be provoked into some kind of physical action by the words" (Cohen v. California, Supreme Court, 1971).

According to the Student Code of Conduct, students of this University have the right to freedom of expression unless this "personal or organizational conduct directly, seriously, or adversely interferes with or disrupts the educational mission, programs, or other functions of the University."

The second problem I have with this official's actions is that these "rules" were not uniformly enforced throughout the entire hockey season. I have been to almost all of the home hockey games, and always sit at or very near the top of the student section. This same official also attends all home games and sits at the top with his young children. I have seen the same display of emotion countless times throughout the season, but no one has been kicked out for it until this game

If the University wants better attendance at home athletic events, then should the University not encourage students to come to the games and express their support for our teams?

Mark Pontious

UNDERGRADUATE STUDENT
http://www.bgnews.com/media/paper883/ne ... bgnews.com

[Dayons_Den]

Although I am a big fan of Free Speech you can shoot so many holes in this guys argument it is ridiculous.

I would say cussing and flipping the bird "directly intereferes with the educational mission" of the university. something he spells out. Not to mention it is just foul and rude. Be more creative.

Secondly, he doesn't like how the quote unquote rules are not "uniformally enforced throughout the season" I wonder if this genlteman has ever been pulled over by a cop for speeding. Sometimes I drive for 8-10 hours with the cruise set at 74 and don't get stopped. Sometimes I drive 2 hours to Cleveland with the cruise set at 74 and I get a speeding ticket on the turnpike. I don't tell the Statey "boy you don't uniformally enforce the speeding rules so I shouldn't get a ticket."

His argument should be that the offending students (both literally and figuratively) need to be warned before they are removed unless they are overtly out of control from the get go- i.e. drunk.

[Falcons4Life]

Christ....I have been a victim lots of times of this crap!!! Like the time the rent-a-cop tore my sign that strategically read 'You have no chance ball state.' They said that it was in appropriate and tore it up....when I told him I was sending the bill for the illegally destroyed posterboard to the police station, he promptly told me that he would be happy to take me there in his custody if I dont shut my mouth. I put out my hands and asked him to read me my rights and tell me what I was being held for. For some strange reason (which I would call.....no legitimacy) he walked away and never said another word.

Oh yeah that also applies to my TOLEDO IS COMMUNIST sign......immature yes....breaking rules...absolutely not!

This crap always happens.....

Oh yeah lets talk about the time the from the alumni side of the arena the words.....Hey Coach you are a Fuc%/ As/&()le was yelled, and a certain higher up in the athletic dept laughed and said nothing, but I was threatened to be removed for yelling You Still Suck after a free throw!

It just depends on whos wife is PMSing when, and who has nothing better to do at what game!

I am surprised this crap doesnt actually come up more often!

[BGFan]

It was ruled that language or printed words cannot be censored in public unless "people in substantial numbers would be provoked into some kind of physical action by the words" (Cohen v. California, Supreme Court, 1971).

Key quote right there. There has been substantial complaining about the problem here. I can imagine that the university has heard even more. Thus, this ruling, IMO, back fires on the point this kid is trying to make because if the university doesn't curtail it, there are more than a few fans who just might take matters into their own hands.

[SaxyIrishTenor]

my sign that strategically read 'You have no chance ball state.'

Define strategically...


I think its a matter of taste and preference. Thats all I am going to say for now.

[TG1996]

Looks like someone learned a little too much in his PoliSci class this week...

Freedom of speech is protected by the constitution. Being a douchebag is not.

[Falcons4Life]

strategically means....

that some letters were made larger to emphasize their importance!

EVERY letter was readable from the other side of the arena....its not my fault people chose to read the wrong ones!!

And for those of you that cant find a potential misunderstanding series of letters....it was made to possible have the resemblence of....

YOU HAVE NO chance BALL State

Just like my sign that I made for a friend of mine on the swim team...that was also misconstrued, and certain individuals thought I was referring to an incident involving a band uniform and swimming pool!

Hey Carol lets go swimming....I see nothing wrong with that!!!

[Falcons4Life]

Being a dousche bag is supported by the government at least....hell...the state of Ohio pays the University of Toledo to try and teach 20,000 douschebags a year!!!

[rc_ziggy84]

Again, I was there Friday night when the incident took place. I'm not totally sure where I stand on this issue. I can see where the university comes from, but as a passionate fan, I can definitely see where he was probably coming from too.

I guess what should happen is more announcements like they did Saturday night, that this behavior will not be tolerated. That way everyone knows, up front, and then they can deal with the consequences. I'm tired of the tall, lanky, "We don't say that here" univerity "official" (and I use that term very lightly) coming down and removing people just on a whim.

I'm really considering trying to meet with Buddy Powers at some point to discuss with him a few things going on at the Ice Arena. (And if this meeting happens, I'll be open to intelligent suggestions from any of you too.) I really would like to see the atmosphere that we used to have back, but some things that are going on now really interfere with that (for example.. some of the "can music" i.e. "The Hey Song")

[Falcons4Life]

The Hey song doesnt come down from buddy....you are barking up the wrong tree on that....I can tell, the reaction I have gotten when approaching that subject rationally (yes I can do that) were not in away possitive, and in no way shape or form pointed in the direction of getting it reinstated. When I am old and rich, I am going to donate a million dollars to the university under the understanding that they are to immediately allow that song to be played! Thats my dream!

Anyway, that one is not one to go to buddy about.....you gotta prolly go to Big Sid on that mother!

[pdt1081]

I'm really considering trying to meet with Buddy Powers at some point to discuss with him a few things going on at the Ice Arena. (And if this meeting happens, I'll be open to intelligent suggestions from any of you too.) I really would like to see the atmosphere that we used to have back, but some things that are going on now really interfere with that (for example.. some of the "can music" i.e. "The Hey Song")

Buddy Powers is in charge of Ice Arena day-to-day acitivities. He is in no way affliated with the way situations concerning students are handled during games. He is at games to supervise his workers and address Ice Arena problems. Fan behavior is not an Ice Arena problem until it involves Ice Arena equipment (ie, hanging over the glass, rocking the glass and boards, etc).

[transfer2BGSU]

When I announced games for football, basketball, baseball, and soccer in North Carolina, I used to read the following crowd control statement at the beginning of each game and during the game if necessary.

“The NCAA promotes good sportsmanship by student-athletes, coaches and spectators. We request your cooperation by supporting the participants and officials in a positive manner. Profanity, racial or sexist comments, or other intimidating actions directed at officials, student-athletes, coaches or team representatives will not be tolerated and are grounds for removal from the site of competition. Also, consumption or possession of alcoholic beverages and tobacco products is prohibited.”

I have not read any such statement at women's gymnastics in the three years I've announced for them,nor do I ever recall hearing this statement read prior to any of the athletic events I have attended at BGSU since returning in 1999.

[The Niz]

Kicking someone out for bad language is a rediculous idea, especially when the people in question were sitting in the student section. Erica can give you several examples of the foul things that can come out of the mouths of me and my friends in the heat of battle, and so can the old ladies who sit next to us and love every second of it. GET OFF OF OUR BACKS!

[always a falcon]

When I announced games for football, basketball, baseball, and soccer in North Carolina, I used to read the following crowd control statement at the beginning of each game and during the game if necessary.

“The NCAA promotes good sportsmanship by student-athletes, coaches and spectators. We request your cooperation by supporting the participants and officials in a positive manner. Profanity, racial or sexist comments, or other intimidating actions directed at officials, student-athletes, coaches or team representatives will not be tolerated and are grounds for removal from the site of competition. Also, consumption or possession of alcoholic beverages and tobacco products is prohibited.”

I have not read any such statement at women's gymnastics in the three years I've announced for them,nor do I ever recall hearing this statement read prior to any of the athletic events I have attended at BGSU since returning in 1999.

You must not be attending the women's games as your co-worker announces this basic thing before every women's basketball game.

[falcons86]

That statement has been read before each hockey game since at least, the Michigan home and home series, maybe even the Western home and home series. How do I know? Because I'm the one who is reading it.


GO FALCONS!!!!!