Spartan sportsmanship
November 24, 2005
Kim MacEachern
I attended my first Spartans sports event this Friday. I was excited to be there, and laughed to see the fans showing their enthusiasm. Yes, the toga and the Spartan helmet were both there. Apparently this is tradition, as is the wearing of Spartan Faithful T-shirts and standing until our team gets their first point. I won’t even feign competence at commenting on the game, but our team played great!
I followed the plays with interest and excitement; this could be the night that they win! And just like me, a lot of you were there, cheering and enjoying the game. However, from my position on the floor, in the right corner, not only could I see the game, but unfortunately I could also hear the fans; fans who became increasingly negative and loud throughout the game. When I commented on their obnoxious behaviour, my friend, a veteran game-attendee, told me that it used to be worse. Somehow that didn’t make it any better. Nor would it if the other team was doing it too, which they were not.
There is no excuse for bringing your bad attitude to a game, where not only the athletes, but the fans are ambassadors for our school and our God. You can tell me, “this is just the way it is,” and “it’s all part of the game,” but I don’t believe it. When you bring your drum (to distract the other team), and your ‘SFU SUCKS’ banners, you’re not supporting your team.
I really, really wanted them to win, but I can hope, cheer my loudest, and do my victory dance all without putting anyone else down. Which is more important to Trinity fans: winning or acting honourably and respectfully?
Please don’t brush this off; we do it all the time when our consciences give us a nudge, but this is central to who we are as a school. Simply put, your bad attitudes, heckling the ref and booing the calls are unacceptable in light of who we are called to be and who we serve.
Please realize too, that this is not me ranting and pointing my finger, but me realizing that we all fall short in different areas. It’s not supposed to be easy to be like Christ; it’s not always easy to be sportsmanlike, but it is right. It is who we are supposed to be, to SFU and every other team we play.
I will probably be at another game soon and I hope to see you there, in your toga, with your drum and doing everything you can to show our team how much you love them.
GO SPARTANS!!!
Now you go...
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