By MARLON SCOTT | Senior Writer
Recently, a lot of stupid behavior by fans in college has been in the national media. As a result, celebrations after sports victories have been put under a microscope. Questions like, “Should students be allowed to storm fields or courts?” and “Should there be stiffer penalties for excessive celebrations?” seem to be on the lips of sports personalities everywhere.
While details like safety and property damage are included in the debate, the true issue is sportsmanship. Everyone who has played organized sports as a kid knows no matter the result of the game, the two teams are going to line up for the brief handshake and “good game” drill. It is a traditional show of respect for the other team and the game. I understand and commend the practice.
However, what makes sports appealing is competition. There is always a winner and a loser and part of the privilege of winning is celebrating.
High-fives, fist bumps, chest pounding, jumping into each other, high-stepping and roaring are just a few examples of what I believe are the essential rights of winners and their fans. I loved the celebration dances of the ’80s. I do the Icky shuffle every time I win a game of Madden on my PS3.
I understand there will always be a few who take it too far. But blanket bans and fines (way to go, SEC) are not the answer. I don’t want to work in a sports world where fans do a polite golf clap after a game-winning field goal or last second half-court shot for the win.
Give sports fans the benefit of the doubt. We know a good celebration when we see it and have no problem booing losers who abuse the privilege.
If it must be regulated, then simply limit availability. Let celebrations happen only in championship games. It could add even more incentive to win and promote creativity if a team knows its only chance to show off to the world is if they win the championship.
Imagine watching the Super Bowl to see what 10- second choreographed dance some wide receiver and his quarterback have been working on since training camp. Better yet, envision the Govs playing Murray in the OVC Tournament for a bid into the NCAA Tournament. John Fraley catches an alley-oop thrown from half court and throws it down for a two-handed, game-winning jam that is so nasty you want to call him Miss Jackson.
In the spirit of sportsmanship, should we stand and applaud politely while wishing Murray better luck next time? I don’t think so.
Competition and rivalries are what make sports worth playing and watching. Like it or not, there will always be winners and part of winning is looking a loser in the eye and saying “Today, I beat you.”
Remember, I don’t make the rules, I just know them.
