In the recent Ducks football game against Arizona, commentator Joe Giansante for the Oregon Sports Network showed little class in his ridicule of University of Arizona students and fans near the end of the game. The student section in Tucson took to the sidelines with a little more than two minutes to go in the fourth quarter ready to rush the field. Most of them were boisterous, rowdy, and rightfully excited as their team prepared for one of the biggest victories in the history of the city.
The student section at any stadium in the Pac-10 smells just like a bar bathroom; Autzen Stadium and Arizona Stadium are not exceptions. Students get drunk and out of control. Those students probably said some classless things to Oregon fans, coaches, and players, including Dennis Dixon as he left in a knee brace with his college career on the field. Nobody thinks that this behavior is OK. While I understand that Mr. Giansante’s comments do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the University, he is an employee of the University and a public figure in the community. For an Oregon employee to bash these students and fans shows a lack of class by the commentator and the OSN that far exceeds the actions of a few drunken 18 year-olds.
These are students we’re talking about. Bad sportsmanship is never OK, and some of those Wildcats fans should be embarrassed. But poor sportsmanship in response to poor sportsmanship is even more embarrassing. You are a professional, sir, and you’re representing my university. I was disappointed to be a part of a fan base that would show such little dignity in defeat.
Cameron Mahlstede
Student