By FRED KRONER
In these trying and turbulent times, new normals are seemingly established every day.
There are challenges to be navigated on a daily basis, whatever the profession. Not all concern how to implement safety precautions during the COVID era.
Personnel at area high schools are reporting an alarming number of disturbing incidents about inappropriate student behavior, both in person at basketball games during the current season and through social media outlets.
A coach and a school administrator are addressing the problems, but are speaking on the condition of anonymity because they fear reprisals for the schools at which they work.
The boundaries are being pushed and, at times, the lines which shouldn’t be crossed can be flexible.
More often than not, there should be no room for movement.
Example: When is it appropriate to harass or ridicule an opposing player, cheerleader or band member because of their race or a possible disability?
Answer: Never!
Example: When is it appropriate to use language that the speaker wouldn’t feel comfortable repeating in the presence of their grandmother?
Answer: Never!
Those traditional standards, however, are not always the ones being witnessed by the area coach and administrator.
“I think high school student sections have always tried to mimic college student sections, and college student sections always have a player that is the target for the night it seems,” the administrator said. “However, I believe it differs because of the maturity level involved.
“Most college sections do not take it too far, but I think due to the immaturity of some high school students, some lines can get crossed.”
Some schools have cheerleaders with Down Syndrome, and the coach said at one particular school, “they called the whole squad the ‘R’ word. It is honestly horrific.”
A simple solution – besides it not happening in the first place – would be for an administrator from the opposing school to monitor the student sections and intercede when the conduct is clearly unacceptable.
It’s not as easy as it seems.
“Most administrators, if present, address the situation immediately, but it is very typical anymore not to have an administrator at an away game,” the administrator said. “Part of that is because so many events are scheduled on the same night.
“Girls’ basketball is no longer just on Monday and Thursday nights and boys’ basketball just on Tuesday and Friday nights, but every night of the week due to various reasons.”
The administrator said students do not receive a pass for documented actions that are unacceptable.
“If we witness any inappropriate behavior by our students, we address it immediately, if we are present,” the administrator said. “If we are unable to be there, but are informed of the behavior, it is addressed as well.
“Depending on the severity of the action, the punishment is in accordance. We have had to suspend students from attending contests in the past due to their actions.”
Social media accounts are a different beast than the raucous game-day behaviors. Scattered throughout Instagram are a number of ‘barstool’ accounts. They portray themselves as affiliated with particular schools (though there is often a disclaimer saying the account being viewed is not associated with that school) but in reality, they are private accounts that give the impression of belonging to rabble-rousers and agitators.
“These social media posts go beyond poor sportsmanship,” the coach said. “The public posts being made are attacking children at their core – who they are as human beings.
“Our students of color and students with intellectual disabilities are loved dearly, just as all of our students are. They are members of our family, and we protect our own.”
Without calling out any particular schools, there will be no quotes in this article from Instagram accounts that are still posted and available to be read by those who search. Many posts are ones that should not be repeated in a family publication.
While freedom of speech is a cornerstone of our society, when the words are racial slurs or antisemitic or other forms of hate speech or actions, there should not be a guaranteed forum and these instances can not be tolerated.
“Unfortunately, these ‘barstool’ accounts have become particularly cruel,” the coach said. “This extends well beyond the basketball court.
“It is one thing to ‘boo’ another team or make signs that are rude, but these posts cross a line. We should be encouraging our students to be kind, helpful and courteous to other schools and their community members.”
If there is a proverbial silver lining to the negative behavior – and that is a big if – it is the way it has helped some communities to unify.
“In light of the recent attacks on our kids, many people in the community and in our school have gone out of their way to be supportive and kind,” the coach said. “The part that makes me the most proud is that our students have not retaliated by going on the attack.
“In fact, it has been quite the opposite. They have rallied around their own. We want to let them all know that they are not alone.”
The administrator and the coach are quick to point out that not all schools – or even the majority – of the ones they have seen this season have displayed abhorrent behavior.
“For the most part, I have seen some very well-behaved student sections this school year,” the administrator said.
Among those that have received the most kudos for their conduct are (alphabetically) Georgetown-Ridge Farm, Heritage, Milford, Oakwood, St. Joseph-Ogden and Urbana University High.
“I have seen schools that are very positive and encouraging at games, and it makes a world of difference,” the coach said. “The athletes are able to have fun participating in the sports they love, and isn’t that what this is all about anyway?”
