The student section is the spirit of the event. Cheers spread through the stands as the games begin. Without these cheers, what would the game be? It would be boring. The students build the atmosphere with chants and jeers. Players’ energy bursts through the roof as they begin to play. But what is the limit?
A question of the limits was evident at a recent tennis match. To support one of their teammates, five of the students on the girl’s tennis team cheered. The cheering had sparked aggression within the crowd. In retaliation to the cheering, phones were brought out, legal action was threatened, coaches were involved, and both sides walked away with negative emotions.
“We were not disrespectful. We made sure to cheer at appropriate times, only address our team mate, and not to say anything about the other player,” said Tanya Namboodiri, a freshman on the girl’s tennis team.
Another time when crowd and student section etiquette came up was at a recent volleyball match when the Jungle was reprimanded by a referee. According to the players, after an opposing player served a ball into the net the students chanted, “There’s a net there.” This is a common occurrence at volleyball games. While many students believed it was an unfair reprimand, students still should be careful of how they cheer.
A player on the team, freshman Hailey Harlacher, said, “I like when people cheer, whether good or bad. I, personally, like cheering. However, I prefer if they don’t cheer directly AT ME.”
Cheering builds the energy of the game. Players enjoy the cheering, but be wary of how you cheer. Cheering directly at someone can distract them from their performance. In addition, bad cheering can be considered bullying. That is a common reason why parents and spectators get upset with students. When they hear students laughing, they immediately assume it’s bullying. Unfortunately, there are cases where players are bullied.
A few volleyball players I spoke to informed me that an opposing team’s student section once cruelly chanted, “Hit the weight rooms.” and “Start the busses.” This is unacceptable behavior that should be addressed.
Cheering is an essential part of the game. Not only does it hype the players, but it builds the environment and setting. However, it is crucial to understand the boundaries between encouragement and disruption. Some cheering is expectable, while others may lean more towards bullying. Excessive cheering can cause a player to fail or it may spark negative reactions. Overall, cheering should be uplifting and positive.
