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Men's Basketball
Fan Accountability
Nov. 17, 2006
By Willis Wilson, Rice University Editor's Note: This article references an article from the Fall 2006 issue of Time-Out. Click here for a link to this article. In the last issue of "Time Out," Virginia Tech head coach Seth Greenberg made some excellent points on the subject of fan behavior. One quote from Seth really sums up the current state of behavior at sporting events. Seth said, "Some think that because they are a fan that somehow gives them the right to cross the line. It doesn't." Unfortunately Seth is correct.
How bad have things gotten when Houston Rockets' veteran Dikembe Mutombo has to be restrained from going into the stands after a fan, during an exhibition game at Orlando? A fan was removed by arena officials after repeatedly attacking Mutmobo verbally, calling him a monkey. In the aftermath Mutmobo wondered aloud what was going to be done by the NBA. He actually called out commissioner David Stern, making the point that something needs to be done by association to make fans accountable. Mutmobo was eloquent with his words, despite being pushed to the limits of what is acceptable. His reaction brought a lot of attention to this particular fan, but how about all of the fans that verbally assault players and coaches without a response? This incident may not be the rule, but we have learned that it certainly is not the exception in today's sports arenas. In the late 1960's and early 1970's, public schools stopped teaching ethics as part of the curriculum. Once there was a time that, not only was ethics taught but it was also enforced in school. When the teaching stopped, there were no boundaries to enforce. Generally speaking, people will try to get away with as much as they possibly can, and sports fans are no exception. They know exactly where the line between right and wrong lies, but do as they choose just the same. Then there is another group of fans that really have no idea how to behave at a sporting event because they simply have never been coached on what is acceptable behavior. That passage was not meant to be sarcastic. It's unfortunate, but there are many fans that really do not know where the boundaries of acceptable behavior end and where rude behavior and criminal actions begin. If someone verbally assaulted another in a restaurant,the possibility of criminal or civil actions would be very real. No one has the right to walk around town verbally chastising their fellow man, so why then is it tolerated at sporting events every day? Fans should consider the fact that physical abuse on the playing field has been dealt with in courtrooms. Until about fifteen or twenty years ago these incidents were addressed by the participating franchises or institutions and the sport's governing body. That is no longer the case in every instance. The next step may be litigating against verbal assault at sporting events, which I don't believe should be the case. Those of us in collegiate athletics know that the NCAA truly wants to eliminate this type of behavior. They have taken a strong stand on this subject, but it's not enough. The institutions that make up college athletics must take a stand as well. Maybe it is a good idea for a code of conduct to be published in media guides and school newspapers, as well as being very visible at arenas and stadiums across the country. Furthermore, game or event management officials must monitor and remove unruly fans before the person being pointed out feels a need to respond. Will that keep all fans from stepping out of line? No, but any grassroots effort must begin somewhere. In the final analysis it simply should not come down to a coach or player against the fans or vice-versa. In any incident in a sport's arena, everybody loses. Not all fans are bad. In fact, the great majority of fans enjoy the experience of the event without incident. However there are too many situations that ruin the experience for fans and the participants on the playing field.
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