We’re in the midst of another big season for Duck football, but players haven’t been the only focus for spectators during recent games at Autzen Stadium. It seems student government officials and administrators, including University President Dave Frohnmayer, have been thinking about fans. Drunk, loud, obnoxious fans, to be specific.
Last week, Frohnmayer expressed concerns about “unclassy fan behavior” at an Associated Students Presidential Advisory Council meeting. Also last week, members of the ASUO Student Senate brainstormed ways to combat a perceived rise in unsportsmanlike fan behavior.
From our experiences attending and reporting on football games, we can’t verify the assertion that “unclassy” behavior has become more flagrant or widespread. We can, however, attest that fan behavior is problematic.
We can point out the prevalence of rampant drinking at games, the use of obscene language and gestures and exhibitions of violent behavior. It’s common to see water bottles and other objects thrown toward the field or at other fans. Being pushed by drunken neighbors or having marijuana smoke blown in one’s face are typical in the packed student section.
Granted, a little unruly and spirited behavior is to be expected at any college sporting event. But widespread drinking and drug use within the stadium is a clear violation of University rules, and it represents a serious hazard.
It is impossible and unnecessary for the police, private security personnel or University employees to prevent fans from coming to games wasted. But lax security at the gates and within the student section allows people to easily smuggle in booze and drink excessively during games. Searching everyone who enters the stadium would be impractical, but employing more security personnel to patrol the stands could discourage prohibited actions.
We commend members of the Senate for taking responsibility to look into this issue, but we urge them to be cautious in how they address it. Using peer pressure and urging the administration to increase security may help the situation. Yet revoking unruly students’ football ticket privileges, and thus their right to access incidental fees, might open a dangerous can of worms. If the Senate makes any move to restrict student access to sports games, it needs to concurrently create an appeals process.
Some fans will always be rude, but students choosing to moderate their drinking at games could significantly reduce violence and other inappropriate behavior. As students who share the same football stadium, it is up to the fans to take steps to ensure that they are coherent enough to behave respectfully.
Ultimately, students should be able to enjoy football games, respect their neighbors and respect the opposing team’s fans and players without outside intervention. So when California visits, stay classy, sports fans.