[Husker] violence in sports--rant

[cfkck at ux1.cts.eiu.edu]

Husker Fans

Last week many of us discussed the behavior of at least one
NU football player and coach Callahan's "comment" after the
game.  Neither was good for NU, the football team or college
football.

I will rehash what I have been saying on this list for
years; SOME fan/player behavior has gotten way out of hand. 
The "little league father" syndrome has been going on for
years but my first experience with what I would call
horrible fan behavior was at a NU/Colorado football game in
the early 1990s.  I attended the game with a number of
people; 6 of which where past the age of 65.  Colorado fans
were jeering at first but as the game got near the end the
behavior turned very ugly.  Beer was thrown and cups full of
urine were sent flying our way.  We left immediately left
after the last play and were literally called every name in
the book as we left the stadium.  It was sad, were were
soaked with beer and urine by the time we went to our cars. 
The senior citizens in the group vowed NEVER to attend a
Colorado away game again and they haven't. 

IMHO, fan/player behavior has only gotten worse in the past
15 years.  Last weekend was a sad two days for atheletics in
America.  The basketball game (which has been replayed about
a billion times) was the worst that I have seen.  Ron Artest
obviously has some VERY serious angry managment problems but
I wonder if he would have "cracked" like an egg had he not
been pushed by Ben Wallace or been harrassed, beer thrown on
him, etc. after the initial incident.  I could care less
about NBA, Ron Artest but it seems to me that the punishment
was nearly severe enough for Ben Wallace.  He did START the
fight.

The South Carolina/Clemson game was a sad ending to Lou
Holtz's career.  It was a sad day for college football and
neither team will accept a bowl bid.  I am not sure that is
fair to the players NOT involved in the fight(s) but I think
the Universities did the right thing.

Where is this all going to lead?  I have been attending
sporting events for over 40 years and I must admit that I
have a uncomfortable feeling every time I watch NU play on
the road.  Wearing red can make one a target; old, young or
whatever you CAN be the subject to violence. 

Obviosuly players cannot "go into the stands", coaches
should shut their mouths SOME  fans need to change their
behavior or the U.S. will turn into European soccer where
you can get killed!!

Sorry for the rant but I still contend that fans have a
single "right"--root as loud as they want for their team!!

kipp