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Is this the shape of things to come?
Submitted by walax on Wed, 2006-07-12 16:58.
Lincoln Girls Team in Oregon were placed on probation following their behavior in their state championship game. Several players were sent off during the game and a number of parents became abusive towards the games refs. Oregon took their behavior very seriously and now the team are on probation for the 2007 season. They must meet a number of different terms in order to be able to play in the finals, should they reach them next year.
Is it just a matter of time before this happens in WA? This year there have been a number of incidents with fans/refs/players that could easily lead to fallout that affects the teams. What do you think, should a team be responsible for the behavior of their fans and be penalized because of their behavior? Do parents and fans just need to tone it down? Does a team have the abilty to control the fans and their behavior at games?
I hope not
When the Oregonian article was circulated to the WALOA officials, I was completely beside myself. The parents accused the officials of being bribed and just being biased. The officials needed a police escort off the field. Why?? Because the parents thought their team was comprised of All Americans and should not have lost? Losing is part of the game and if you do not want to lose, don't play. But don't blame your own, or your player's, inability to perform on the officials.
No, officials are not perfect and we do make mistakes. We strive to not influence the outcome of games but sometimes a player commits a time- serving penalty and that's that.
As far as behavior, there is nothing wrong with cheering for your team. When I am at a sporting event, I cheer for my favorite team and generally leave the venue hoarse. Where I draw the line is when deragatory comments from the crowd are directed to a player, a coach or me. This is unacceptable and most coaches here believe this to be true.
I like to believe we have more sense than this. I do not think fans should tone it down but they should check themselves and keep their cheers positive. If they do not, their team suffers. Maybe then the teams will control their fans as needed.
I agree
Stan, you hit the nail on the head. Fans need to realize that losing is part of the game, and part of the winning process. Nobody wants to lose, but I would much rather have my team lose to a better opponent, and learn something useful from the defeat. Losing just shows you what you need to improve. Respect the game and get on with life when the game ends.
Honor the game
It comes down to what is acceptable. Coaches, players, fans, and officials are all responsible for "Honoring the game". When unacceptable behaviors are witnessed, it is critical that every participant explain to the offender "That's not a part of this game, and that's not acceptable here."
Public displays of bad behavior from "professional" sports figures degrade the game, and provide negative role models for observers.
In Washington lacrosse, we have a choice. Accept and allow poor sportsmanship, or take a stand and ensure that all participants "Honor the Game".
Choose wisely.
teaching
it kinda stars with the coach our coach teaches us to be a "class act" even tho i must admit our team has gotten into fights not becuase we were losing but because of conflict on the field... if the coach can teach the players to respect the game instead of getting in hissy fits and expressing their anger @ the refs and players... not to pick on a team but when losing they started to resort to late hits and cheap checks...
alot of it comes with the captins also we got in a little fight with the snohomish players started by the snohomish player on a late hit and the captin on that team was a really nice guy and jumped in and told the player to go on the bench which really helped the situation (kudos to the captin)
i know its hard to keep your temper down but its just something that players need to learn as well as my team and me as a player hopefully wa lax will never turn like and from the teams ive played i dont think it will because they are all well taught teams