Hockey At Lynah Is Fun; Cornell Seeks To Fix That
The ELyhah Forum features the following Important message to ice hockey ticket holders:
Hello Season Ticket Holders,
Cornell University promotes good sportsmanship and has zero tolerance for any profanity, racial/sexist comments, or other intimidating actions at intercollegiate athletic events. The penalty for violating this policy is expulsion from the game and revocation of season tickets. There are no verbal warnings or second chances given for violation of this policy.
Furthermore, the band will not be permitted to play “Gary Glitter” at Cornell men’s ice hockey games if students continue to chant a profane version of “Rough ‘em up, rough ‘em up, go CU.”
Thank you for your cooperation in promoting good sportsmanship and in creating an inviting atmosphere (no profane language) in Lynah Rink.
I will grant that some of the cheers don’t necessarily put the University’s best face forward. At the same time, coarse cheers at hockey games strike me as a venial sin at worst, and I can’t help feeling that the fact that someone has time to spend on the issue strongly suggests that Day Hall could do with some layoffs as part of the University’s belt-tightening.
January 31st, 2009 at 5:08 am
Now having children of my own, and thus feeling some responsibility to “raise them right” - which includes trying to keep them from using profane language - I guess I understand where the University is coming from on this. That said, if I’m determined to bring my child to a college event and I’m determined to avoid any hint of foul language and, well… violence, then I should bring them to the Glee Club events. This being a collegiate athletic event that necessarily then draws college students amongst its fan base, I’m going in with an expectation of… well, sophomoric behavior. I can deny its existence, or I can accept it… to a point, of course.
I don’t have a problem with profane rants. Racist comments seem inaproppriate and unnecessary - but a few F-bombs from an inebriated student body doesn’t seem a big issue to me. I will also say that I’m not inclined to support poor sportsmanship when it leads to scenes where a fan base is cheering when an opponent is injured. Oh wait… that only happens at the pro level, with “adults” in the audience/fan base… nevermind.
In conclusion, I’m reminded of a similar policy in place when we were season-ticket holders almost twenty years ago (damn, I’m old) which would invariably lead to the following scenario:
End of a game, more often if Cornell was clearly going to lose thus leading to general frustration amongst the fan base/student body. Invariably several students would decide they’d be leaving anyway, so might as well get thrown out. Thus, the timeless chant (generally directed at The Fat Man, the usher in our section)… and I quote: “SH**! SH**! SH**! [pause] F**! F**! F**! [pause] SH**! F**! SH**! F**! SH**!” Not surprisingly, an escort out of the building would immediately ensue. But isn’t that funny, as opposed to offensive? In a way, akin to Otter’s “resolution” when advised that the Delta House was on double-secret probation:
Hoover: “We’re in big trouble this time. What should we do?”
Otter/Boone (in unison): “Toga party!”
Hoover: “Oh, no… we can’t do that. We’re on double-secret probation… whatever that is.”
Otter: “I got news for ya, Hoov. They’re going to get us no matter what we do. So… we might as well… have a good time… to-ga… to-ga… to-ga…”
If you’re going to leave a game frustrated cuz the Big Red lost, you might as well get thrown out for your troubles… right? I think they like the idea, Hoov.
I’m no senator, but even if I can’t define it, I think I know porn… er, poor sportsmanship and an inviting atmosphere when I see it. To me, some college students cussing a bit only enhances the home-ice advantage. But I guess that makes me a F***ing A**hole, eh? I mean, the atmosphere seems to invite a rabid fan base to vociferously support the home team and if at all possible, distract the opponent, even to a small degree.
If these people had their way, they probably would’ve outlawed the band’s Ode to Stephen Baby, for the presence of lyrics which promote violence: “Hey-y-y-y-y-y, hey-hey Ba-by!!! I wanna know-ow-ow-ow-ow, would you kill someone. Please kill someone!!!” [repeat] Personally, I found it to be somewhat creative - but what would the women and children think?!
Or the classic, from back when Coach Schaefer was physical defenseman Schaefer - the curt and to-the-point chant of, “Kill, Shaefer, Kill!!! Kill, Schaefer, Kill!!!” As you all know, I’m a big fan of brevity.
February 1st, 2009 at 5:57 pm
So I was here in Milwaukee flipping through the channels… and I stumbled on a Cornell hockey game.. .that is correct, I can watch Cornell Hockey regular season games from the comfort of my house 1200 miles away from campus… life is good.
One thing that I noticed was the lack of crowd noise. Do they completely remove all fan noise from the telecast? Cornell scored 3 goals, and nothing….. what up with that?
February 2nd, 2009 at 9:56 am
My guess is that they’re concerned with “crowd noise” being “unsportsmanlike” towards the opponent, as it may prevent the opponent from playing its best game… and really, that’s just not sportsmanlike or polite. I’m surprised they even allow fans in Lynah anymore. I mean… the best way to ensure we’re being completely respectful to the opponent and everyone else is to prevent those darn students from even attending the games. Yeah… that’ll show those darn kids!!!
February 2nd, 2009 at 4:14 pm
At the very least, they should deny entrance to students not properly attired in dinner jacket or evening gown, and have public safety eject anyone who such faux pas as ordering red wine with their crab canapes.
I must say, six years of college doesn’t sound nearly as fun today as during the 80s and early 90s.
February 3rd, 2009 at 9:07 am
In-deed… and the thing is, it was even better in the 70s… when it was not only acceptable to tie a live chicken to Hah-vahd’s goal between periods but… it was *expected*!!!