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Ahh, the "what is acceptable fan behavior" post. Seems like this comes up about every year, sometimes in the form of being told to sit down, sometimes being told you're too loud, sometimes, being too negative.
I've had dozens of these encounters over the years, sometimes (but rarely) as the giver of "advice" but usually as the receiver.
When I was younger, I was much more vocal toward the refs at games, and I have caught crap for that over the years. Once I had kids and they started mimicing my behavior, I quit yelling so much at the refs. It just didn't sound as cool when my five year old was booing and chewing on the refs. I do miss that, though, and got to do some venting down in the USVI. That was fun.
I've been told I was too loud, I've been told my then six year old was too loud (I proceeded to switch spots with my son and teach the old man what the meaning of loud was), I've had people move because I was too loud, and seen several turn down their hearing aids. I've moved myself because people near me are too louldly negative, but never just because someone was being a loud, proud fan.
The only times I've ever called a fan out is when they are being loud and personally negative about a player or the team. (WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING MILLER? YOU'RE SIX TEN FOR GOD'S SAKE!) Stuff like that. I know I've posted on that topic many times in the last ten years. We've had for many years one such fan near us and I have had a couple of occasions to point out when I think he's an idiot. It seems like he's either toned down, moved, or changed his approach in the last year or two. (Lance, I am not referring to you!)
So, anyway, I think there are two times you should not be loud: 1) when you are ripping our team or a player; that's your right, I suppose, but I just don't like it. 2) when you don't know what the heck you're talking about. I do occasionally hear people screaming stuff that just makes you scratch your head and wonder if they've ever actually been to a basketball game. So, loud and negative, loud and stupid, get on my nerves. Everything else is fine.
Incidentally, I sat near Lynn at the USVI games. She's a hoot...and as loud, or louder, than I am. She's a great fan and a lot of fun to watch a game with
PS Last night I took to the game with non-WSU fan clients. I felt a little hemmed in on my ability to yell, so I won't be doing that again. They sure enjoyed the game, though!
I've had dozens of these encounters over the years, sometimes (but rarely) as the giver of "advice" but usually as the receiver.
When I was younger, I was much more vocal toward the refs at games, and I have caught crap for that over the years. Once I had kids and they started mimicing my behavior, I quit yelling so much at the refs. It just didn't sound as cool when my five year old was booing and chewing on the refs. I do miss that, though, and got to do some venting down in the USVI. That was fun.
I've been told I was too loud, I've been told my then six year old was too loud (I proceeded to switch spots with my son and teach the old man what the meaning of loud was), I've had people move because I was too loud, and seen several turn down their hearing aids. I've moved myself because people near me are too louldly negative, but never just because someone was being a loud, proud fan.
The only times I've ever called a fan out is when they are being loud and personally negative about a player or the team. (WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING MILLER? YOU'RE SIX TEN FOR GOD'S SAKE!) Stuff like that. I know I've posted on that topic many times in the last ten years. We've had for many years one such fan near us and I have had a couple of occasions to point out when I think he's an idiot. It seems like he's either toned down, moved, or changed his approach in the last year or two. (Lance, I am not referring to you!)
So, anyway, I think there are two times you should not be loud: 1) when you are ripping our team or a player; that's your right, I suppose, but I just don't like it. 2) when you don't know what the heck you're talking about. I do occasionally hear people screaming stuff that just makes you scratch your head and wonder if they've ever actually been to a basketball game. So, loud and negative, loud and stupid, get on my nerves. Everything else is fine.
Incidentally, I sat near Lynn at the USVI games. She's a hoot...and as loud, or louder, than I am. She's a great fan and a lot of fun to watch a game with
PS Last night I took to the game with non-WSU fan clients. I felt a little hemmed in on my ability to yell, so I won't be doing that again. They sure enjoyed the game, though!
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