Page 1 of 2
Student Section
Posted: Tue Oct 16, 2012 10:18 pm
by appgrad12
As in every post, I'm sure there are multiple opinions on this, but it's just something I need to get out and get others opinions on and hopefully get stopped. The student section this year has been just awful. It is plagued with high school students who care nothing about App and the profanities are running rampant. I just graduated in May, but this is my 5th straight year in the student section were I have sat in the same spot every single game and cheered on our boys. It really saddens me to see what our fan base is coming to if the profanities are going to become a part of the regular routine. While I am no saint when it comes to cussing, the collective yelling of "You suck, asshole" really irritates me. I know some will say it's just part of the competitive nature, but when does it become too much? Maybe that's ok, but is it ok for an App fan in the student section to yell "Pu**y" to an injured player when the rest of the stadium is quiet? As much as I love my Mountaineers, at the end of the day it is just a game, and who is that fan to know that that opposing player couldn't be suffering life-threatening injuries? Again, I know this is just one instance, but I just feel like the point needs to be stressed before it becomes more of a collective happening. I love App, our Mountaineers, and our fellow fans, but I think we should be respectful and prove to the nation that we really do have the BEST fans in the world. I know a lot of students don't read this, but if you are a student reading this, PLEASE try to stop the "You suck, asshole" chant. Or if you know a student, please do the same. At the end of the day I will still bleed black & gold and I can't wait to kick some Terrier butt this weekend! GO APPS!
Re: Student Section
Posted: Wed Oct 17, 2012 6:55 am
by cbarrier90
appgrad12 wrote:While I am no saint when it comes to cussing, the collective yelling of "You suck, asshole" really irritates me.
That one is so over the top I personally find it hilarious. It's only done on kickoffs.
It's a STUDENT SECTION. there is going to be cursing, there's going to be people on alcohol, and most of all, there's going to be people there that want to stand out in a crowd. I don't condone this behavior but it's something that should be expected when you come to a college football game. Heck, our fight song (colloquially) has "Kick Ass!" in it.
If you don't like it, there are plenty of other places to sit where no one does anything. Personally, I enjoy the general admission seats on the 2nd deck on the East side near the South end zone.
Re: Student Section
Posted: Wed Oct 17, 2012 7:30 am
by YesAppCan
You are right '12. Matters not about a student section or not, the university has a CLASS standard that they ask patrons to abide by.
From goasu.com:
ASU Athletics Unveils CLASS Campaign
BOONE, N.C. - Appalachian State University unveiled its new CLASS (Champions Love Appalachian State Spirit) initiative on Thursday, a campaign to guide all external friends of the University on the benefits of a positive and enthusiastic gameday atmosphere at Appalachian athletics events. The five pillars of the CLASS campaign are as follows: C - Clean Up After Yosef! Take pride in our beautiful campus and leave it better than when you arrived. L - Let your actions represent the best of Appalachian State. Alcohol is a privilege during tailgating at ASU, not a right. A - Always be positive in your support of our team, coaches and players and wear your Black and Gold. S - Show respect for our visitors and game officials. Cheer loudly, but with appropriate language. S - Show respect for yourself and fellow Mountaineers ?€“ especially young fans. "We want everyone to understand their role in creating home field advantage, but more importantly, realize the responsibility we all share in representing Appalachian State University," director of athletics Charlie Cobb said.
Re: Student Section
Posted: Wed Oct 17, 2012 8:41 am
by ASU-FTW
If saying "pu$$y and you suck" is the worst they are doing, that's not that bad honestly. I guarantee you all student sections across every university have this issue, and if they don't it's because their students don't go to the games. I believe we have up to 10,000 students attending our games these days, we are inevitably going to have a portion of them act out like this. Also, which student section is doing this as we have many?
Re: Student Section
Posted: Wed Oct 17, 2012 8:46 am
by biggie
Couldn't have been the endzone seats at homecoming, since they were all empty most of the game.
Re: Student Section
Posted: Wed Oct 17, 2012 8:54 am
by JCline0429
I don't see how anybody can rationalize this student behavior. I would be embarrassed to have a guest hear what the thread starter mentioned.
Re: Student Section
Posted: Wed Oct 17, 2012 9:27 am
by appbud
I'll apologize first, then explain. SORRY, I had to miss homecoming game but I have a son at APP and a daughter at UNC, her sorority had parent weekend so I has to attend. I am all for cheering and hollering as loud as possible to support your team but the guys directly behind us were so drunk and I swear every other word out of their mouth was a profanity that would make a sailor take note ( no offense to sailors) that I finally said something to them to which I was politely cussed out. Then some other nice people around starting complaining also and they were eventually escorted away. Like I said I am all for supporting your team but it can be done in a non offensive manner. By the way both myself and wife are APP Grads class of '83. Yosef member since 1990
Re: Student Section
Posted: Wed Oct 17, 2012 9:28 am
by asumike83
Mocking an injured player on either team is completely classless and has no place in the stadium, regardless of whether foul language is involved. Anyone who does that can find a new team to root for, as far as I'm concerned.
Re: Student Section
Posted: Wed Oct 17, 2012 9:45 am
by Gonzo
The only time "p****" was chanted this season was when the Montana kick returner took a knee in the endzone after he got blown up for the fumble.
I'm <a year out of college so I still sit in the student section. I haven't heard anything that offended me this year. My biggest problem is the negative feedback some fans (some being students) give when we make mistakes. I HATE IT when people boo our own team. It's asinine. The silence is plenty powerful enough if we're playing bad. No need to scream "You suck" when Jamal throws an incomplete pass. I've had to silence a few jackasses for this reason.
Re: Student Section
Posted: Wed Oct 17, 2012 10:05 am
by asumike83
Unfortunately, I have heard fans mocking injured players. It was not students and it was not even an opposing player. It was grown men yelling things like "get him off the field, he hasn't blocked anyone all day" when Shaq Counts went down against The Citadel. Obviously, Shaq was not hurt badly and has not missed a start but it was really embarrassing. Those same fans were also yelling about how all of their students were "queers" when one Citadel fan sat down near us, completely minding his own business.
As enfuriating as that game was, I left the stadium much more ashamed of them than I was of our team.
Re: Student Section
Posted: Wed Oct 17, 2012 12:48 pm
by ASU-FTW
biggie wrote:Couldn't have been the endzone seats at homecoming, since they were all empty most of the game.
No doubt, and they didn't make noise one bit either even when Elon was backed up into that endzone. But, what do you expect out of a bunch of khaki-sportcoat wearing fratties? They are just there to be seen.
Re: Student Section
Posted: Wed Oct 17, 2012 1:15 pm
by Blackangold4
I sit in the student section most of the time and I always call out anyone who is mocking injuries. That kind of attitude has no business around sports at all. As for some of the other things that are said and yelled, most of them are ridiculous and meant to be funny.
Unfortunately there are always going to be some bad apples but I think its much more important we shut down the people mocking injuries than anything else.
Re: Student Section
Posted: Wed Oct 17, 2012 1:32 pm
by BeauFoster
ASU-FTW wrote:biggie wrote:Couldn't have been the endzone seats at homecoming, since they were all empty most of the game.
No doubt, and they didn't make noise one bit either even when Elon was backed up into that endzone. But, what do you expect out of a bunch of khaki-sportcoat wearing fratties? They are just there to be seen.
You sure do take shots at frat guys every chance you get. Did you get balled or would they not let you into a party?
Re: Student Section
Posted: Wed Oct 17, 2012 1:44 pm
by ASU-FTW
BeauFoster wrote:ASU-FTW wrote:biggie wrote:Couldn't have been the endzone seats at homecoming, since they were all empty most of the game.
No doubt, and they didn't make noise one bit either even when Elon was backed up into that endzone. But, what do you expect out of a bunch of khaki-sportcoat wearing fratties? They are just there to be seen.
You sure do take shots at frat guys every chance you get. Did you get balled or would they not let you into a party?
I don't recall another post I made bashing fraternities. I'm just calling it like I see it though. They show up in their khakis and sport coats, and leave at the half. Those are the facts.
Re: Student Section
Posted: Wed Oct 17, 2012 2:04 pm
by AppAlum1
appbud wrote:I'll apologize first, then explain. SORRY, I had to miss homecoming game but I have a son at APP and a daughter at UNC, her sorority had parent weekend so I has to attend. I am all for cheering and hollering as loud as possible to support your team but the guys directly behind us were so drunk and I swear every other word out of their mouth was a profanity that would make a sailor take note ( no offense to sailors) that I finally said something to them to which I was politely cussed out. Then some other nice people around starting complaining also and they were eventually escorted away. Like I said I am all for supporting your team but it can be done in a non offensive manner. By the way both myself and wife are APP Grads class of '83. Yosef member since 1990
I'm an '83 undergrad, as well. So, welcome. And, I too have a son at App, who sits in the student section right down below my seats in 204. I have no earthly idea what students may or may not be screaming down there, but my son enjoys sitting down there.
The last time we alums in 204 had a problem goober amongst us was a few years back when a young guy started smoking a cigarette. After I, and a number of other alums told him he could not smoke, he started cussing at us. The appropriate language was used in response by us "old-heads". After about a minute, he left and did not return. Had it gone on much further, I am sure the red-coats could have handled things.
One suggestion though, I bring noise-cancelling headphones to listen to D.J. announce the game. A large explosion could occur beside me without me hearing it. A little cursing would not be noticed.
Now, if it were bad enough to upset the wife, now THEN there'd be trouble.
Re: Student Section
Posted: Wed Oct 17, 2012 2:18 pm
by Gonzo
BeauFoster wrote:ASU-FTW wrote:biggie wrote:Couldn't have been the endzone seats at homecoming, since they were all empty most of the game.
No doubt, and they didn't make noise one bit either even when Elon was backed up into that endzone. But, what do you expect out of a bunch of khaki-sportcoat wearing fratties? They are just there to be seen.
You sure do take shots at frat guys every chance you get. Did you get balled or would they not let you into a party?
Or maybe we went to Appalachian where, despite the fact that the Greek life is a joke by most big school standards, the fratties exercise their fundamental prerogative to be smug douche bags to everyone they meet.
I knew a few cool frat guys, sure, but there stereotype is there for a reason: There's validity to it. I mean read your response. "Did you get balled or would they not let you into a party?" Is the pretentious, daddies money attitude rushing back because of this discussion? Sounds like it.
By the way we threw parties that put every App frat party to shame when I was in school. Bro, it's totes hazing when you spill your red wine on my Vineyard Vines, bro. Not cool, bro.
Re: Student Section
Posted: Wed Oct 17, 2012 6:13 pm
by AppGrad1
No place for profanity. Wish they would escort every person out for it. I don't care how empty it would get. Just shows where our society is. No respect for others.
Kick em out...
Re: Student Section
Posted: Wed Oct 17, 2012 6:36 pm
by DaphneUrquhart
Unfortunately, there's a whole society out there that thinks nothing of slinging curse words around. Listen to TV and radio. Our student section is nothing unusual.
Cursing has never been acceptable in our house. I've had polite words more than once with a fan who'd had one too many and exploring the depths of vulgarity. I know we can't dictate behaviour for a large group. Each of us can have a dramatic impact on our own language and those around us.
Re: Student Section
Posted: Wed Oct 17, 2012 7:18 pm
by Histor3
Unfortunately, as you mentioned, problematic students will not receive this message. Those students are not true fans, and they're not too likely to visit this forum. Sure, they are fans, and they make an effort to attend the home football games (weather-permitting, of course). To be fair, some of the profane-shouting students are real fans, but my guess is that number is small. I'm currently a student who has been attending Appalachian games since the early 2000s, and profanity has existed as long as I've been to The Rock.
I hate Boo'ing when we are doing poorly, and when an opponent's player is down with an injury.
I dislike when our student section yells "BULLSH**" loudly, when we obviously were at fault. For example, offsides and false starts.
Re: Student Section
Posted: Wed Oct 17, 2012 7:57 pm
by asualum78
It's not always our students either. I remember a naked student dancing with the whee's band in the late 70's as they came on the field. It was hilarious and took security forever to catch him but it turned out he was from Lees McCray (I think) but wasn't an App student.