"Sportsmanship" is a topic at the MAC football meetings. Gee, wonder why? The Plain Dealer article follows, including a reference to boards such as this as "cesspools." Anyone else see the irony in using name calling to stop the name calling?

Anyway, here goes:
Sportsmanship heads MAC football meetings
07/22/03

Elton Alexander
Plain Dealer Reporter

Detroit- Coming on the heels of an impressive run of sports achievement, Mid-American Conference Commissioner Rick Chryst opened the MAC football meetings yesterday with a session on sportsmanship.

Working from the NCAA's report on the Sportsmanship and Fan Behavior Summit held last February, he had a panel of MAC athletic directors, coaches, players, game-management officials and sports information directors comment and answer questions about sportsmanship issues and how to handle them.

"I think it's just a natural part of the national discussion," Chryst said.

"This is a continuing discussion following that summit in February. It's not remedial as much as it is informative. Our goal is to present and manage as positive an event as possible."

The commissioner said the sportsmanship panel was not a reaction to sportsmanship issues within the MAC, although there have been several notable ones, including last fall in Huntington, W.Va., when Miami lost to Marshall. Following that game, Miami head coach Terry Hoeppner chased after game officials, the Miami coaching staff trashed the coaches booth in the stadium, and assistant coach Jon Wauford was led off the field in handcuffs after hitting a Marshall fan who taunted him.

Since then, Hoeppner has charged Marshall with bugging the visitors' locker room in that game. And for the second straight year, Central Florida head coach Mike Kruczek has taken verbal potshots at the Marshall program, using the term "rednecks."

"This is a national issue that everybody has local responsibility for, at the commissioners level, the institutional level and the players as well," Chryst said.

One major area of concern is the Internet. Chat rooms and e-mails have become the swapping place for fans' taunting. In turn it has become a cesspool for explosive and often error-filled rumors that coaches, players and administrators try to douse.

"We have no control over these things at all, and there is nobody out there to police them," Marshall head coach Bob Pruett said.

Perhaps the most interesting thing to come out of the nearly three-hour session came from Bowling Green, which offered how it has incorporated inappropriate student actions at athletic events under their student life umbrella. Students can be brought before their student conduct board just as they would for infractions in a dormitory or a classroom, and meet with similar justice, including being expelled.

Chryst said that might be something the entire league should take a look at. As for the athletic competition itself, several players on the panel, including Bowling Green quarterback Josh Harris and Central Florida quarterback Ryan Schneider, said the key to good sportsmanship was respect.

"There are lines in society and lines in a game that you just don't cross," Schneider said.

To reach this Plain Dealer reporter:

ealexander@plaind.com, 216-999-4253

Quote:As for the athletic competition itself, several players on the panel, including Bowling Green quarterback Josh Harris and Central Florida quarterback Ryan Schneider, said the key to good sportsmanship was respect.

"There are lines in society and lines in a game that you just don't cross," Schneider said.

Ryan Schneider said that? :rolleyes: Trash talking Ryan Schneider? Blustering wind bag Ryan Schneider? Pregame boasting Ryan Schneider? Excuse making Ryan Schneider? The Ryan Schneider coached by Kruczek? Of UCF? That's pretty ballsy.

Maybe he's turned over a new leaf.

Maybe he's turned over a new leaf.[QUOTE]

Then we could call him Ryan Leaf?

Stick4489 Wrote:Ryan Schneider said that?  :rolleyes:  Trash talking Ryan Schneider?  Blustering wind bag Ryan Schneider?  Pregame boasting Ryan Schneider?  Excuse making Ryan Schneider?  The Ryan Schneider coached by Kruczek?  Of UCF?  That's pretty ballsy.

What exactly has Ryan said?

Well, thankfully, it appears that the writer used the term "cesspool" and not one of the MAC athletes or officials.

I always find it amusing that the AD's and others find the Internet such an irritant. I think the reason is simple: The AD's and the schools love to control the flow of information and when they can't control something such as the Internet and the chatrooms they try to discredit it. Sometimes the Internet is the only place where fans can obtain unfiltered information without the spin that the University wishes to place upon it. I also think that most fans are smart enough to recognize misinformation and readily "debunk" this information on their own.

HuronDave Wrote:I always find it amusing that the AD's and others find the Internet such an irritant. I think the reason is simple: The AD's and the schools love to control the flow of information and when they can't control something such as the Internet and the chatrooms they try to discredit it. Sometimes the Internet is the only place where fans can obtain unfiltered information without the spin that the University wishes to place upon it. I also think that most fans are smart enough to recognize misinformation and readily "debunk" this information on their own.

What information! If the official websites of MAC universities actually offered something useful chatrooms would be a lot less attractive.

Just a few random thoughts.

1. I agree 100% that the reason athletic departments don't like the internet is because they can't control the flow of information on the internet. It's the same reason government has a generally hostile relationship with the media.

2. You would think that the folks running our sports programs are reasonably intelligent individuals. The fact that they take seriously every internet rumor makes one wonder. Despite the many emails I get each day assuring me that barely legal teens are eager to meet me for various crimes against nature, I find those claims rather difficult to believe.

3. I think BG's incorporation of behavior at athletic events into the student code is a great idea. As Siskel and Ebert said, "two big thumbs up."

4. The players comments that the key to good sportsmanship is respect is something that deserves a second look. It is far easier to harbor hostile feelings toward someone you've never met. Teams generally travel to the away venue, do their own thing, and the first time the teams ever see each other is on the field. Contrast that with bowl games where both teams regularly engage in various combined activities. Although it does happen, you rarely see hostility on the field at bowl games. Maybe the MAC could institute something like a joint, mandatory, pre-game meal so the players could get to meet each other. Just a thought.

5. Last but not least. Go out of your way to meet fans from the opposing team. I had a great time with the Montana fans who stayed in Charleston for the I-AA championship game. I regularly invite opposing team's fans whom I see tailgating in Huntington to stop over, have a bite, have a beer, and have some fun. Believe it or not, good discussions can happen and a good time can be had with fans from the other school. If you're the away fan, ignore the few obnoxious jerks you will see and hear. They are in the vast minority.

FlashFan Wrote:"There are lines in society and lines in a game that you just don't cross," Schneider said.

One of those lines that just happens to be the goal line, when he's playing Toledo and Marshall.

FlashFan Wrote:One major area of concern is the Internet. Chat rooms and e-mails have become the swapping place for fans' taunting. In turn it has become a cesspool for explosive and often error-filled rumors that coaches, players and administrators try to douse.

Bad internet!! Bad, bad internet making Toledo and Marshall fans hate each other!

Quote:5. Last but not least. Go out of your way to meet fans from the opposing team. I had a great time with the Montana fans who stayed in Charleston for the I-AA championship game. I regularly invite opposing team's fans whom I see tailgating in Huntington to stop over, have a bite, have a beer, and have some fun. Believe it or not, good discussions can happen and a good time can be had with fans from the other school. If you're the away fan, ignore the few obnoxious jerks you will see and hear. They are in the vast minority.

Absolutely. Furthermore, these message boards can be an excellent way to foster this kind of good will before the games. I met several very cool people from Bowling Green last year who showed up in a DeKalb bar I had recommended to them via a message board.
I have gotten excellent recommendations from people in Madison, Kalamazoo, Champaign via these message boards, and I have had positive experiences in each of those places while following the Huskies in the last few years. I fully anticipate my trips to Toledo and Bowling Green this year will be equally pleasant.
Not only do I make a point of trying to reach out to fans from opposing schools when they visit DeKalb, I also dissuade Huskie fans from behaving like a-holes whenever possible. I took a bunch of jackasses to task for accosting some BG fans last year and I fully intend to do the same with any idiots who think a victory by the local sports team is ample excuse to act like grade school bullies.

Quote:5. Last but not least. Go out of your way to meet fans from the opposing team. I had a great time with the Montana fans who stayed in Charleston for the I-AA championship game. I regularly invite opposing team's fans whom I see tailgating in Huntington to stop over, have a bite, have a beer, and have some fun. Believe it or not, good discussions can happen and a good time can be had with fans from the other school. If you're the away fan, ignore the few obnoxious jerks you will see and hear. They are in the vast minority.

I couldn't agree more! Obnoxious jerks like me are the minority!

Seriously, I've had good times with the folks from Montana also. I've met friendly, hospitable people at lots of places. I've had memorable friendly interaction with fans from Central Michigan, Ball State, Ohio, Toledo, Michigan State and Virginia Tech. I've even met great people at notoriously hostile places like Clemson and Florida.

Stick4489 Wrote:Seriously, I've had good times with the folks from Montana also. I've met friendly, hospitable people at lots of places. I've had memorable friendly interaction with fans from Central Michigan, Ball State, Ohio, Toledo, Michigan State and Virginia Tech. I've even met great people at notoriously hostile places like Clemson and Florida.

I also met some great people from Montana. Most of the Youngstown State fans I met were good people. My Dad and I attended the Montana vs YSU 1-AA Championship game and we had a great time with some fans from both school's.

I've also met nice people when I went to Kent and Miami. Most of the Clemson fans were obnoxious, as were the WV-Who fans.

BTW, nice post, MAKO!!

Ryan got caught up in the moment of getting fans down here excited about MAC Conference play, last year. He didn't say much after the Toledo game.

With no disrespect to the MAC...but fans down here aren't too familiar with MAC play and are only familiar with a few teams. They're used to seeing teams like Central Michigan, Bowling Green, Akron..etc. as being the opening floormats for UF. Being surrounded by Gator, Noles and Miami fans..it's tough to sell these MAC teams coming in. But this year, I expect more from our fans.

Last year, our marketing dept. thought it'd be a good idea to fans involved through smack talk with MAC fans. In fact, they devoloped and advertised a MACINBLACK.com for conference smack talk alone. They felt that getting fans involed with smack talk with other MAC teams would create familiarity and excitement for the games. It didn't work...we only got 18K for Toledo. Of course by then we were already 1-1 in the MAC and 1-3 overall, with losses to MU, Penn State and Arizona State.

With the exception of maybe Marshall....MAC teams are a tough sell in Florida. There's just not enough in common. A survey on campus was taken regarding the MAC. Most students were had no idea who 3/4 of the teams were. One student said, "I'd love to go to UCF games. The tailgating is awesome. But unless we get a good team in there(the CB) instead of Toledo, Buffalo and Eastern, Cental Michigan or whatever they are...I'd rather stay outside and drink beer."

No disrespect...but it's just reality. True fans are excited to take on the MAC and fight for a championship. The rest will eventually get into it. Winning will help, too. That generates exposure and excitement more than anything.

On the other note:

Most fans on the internet can talk up all they want. But at UCF, when visiting teams come in, they are welcomed and greeted nicely. We're glad and respect good fans that travel to support. I believe it's important for their schools and our conference!

My friends and I will always invite visitors over for a beer, soda....water(because dang it gets HOT out there) and football discussion.

I had a good time with some Toledo fans last year and Syracuse fans that came down.

I've gotten the same respect from fans of teams that I've traveled to, as well. Clemson, GT...and even UF. Same can't be said for FSU fans...they put down at every turn. "You suck UCF...you're not worthy of us." That kind of crap.

The same can be said regarding UCF as a sell in Ohio. KSU's home schedule includes UCF and Buffalo. Neither are a draw for KSU fans and does not bring in other NE Ohio MAC alumni like a BG, OU, or Toledo. Neither school on our schedule helps attendance. That said, winning does wonders...

At Toledo I think we would have a very good crowd for UCF because they are new to the conference and they started making a name for themselves even before they joined the MAC. Many have heard about the bragging comments made by UCF so I think we would have a very good turnout for a game with them.

Flying Corn Wrote:

FlashFan Wrote:One major area of concern is the Internet. Chat rooms and e-mails have become the swapping place for fans' taunting. In turn it has become a cesspool for explosive and often error-filled rumors that coaches, players and administrators try to douse.

Bad internet!! Bad, bad internet making Toledo and Marshall fans hate each other!

Quote:5. Last but not least. Go out of your way to meet fans from the opposing team. I had a great time with the Montana fans who stayed in Charleston for the I-AA championship game. I regularly invite opposing team's fans whom I see tailgating in Huntington to stop over, have a bite, have a beer, and have some fun. Believe it or not, good discussions can happen and a good time can be had with fans from the other school. If you're the away fan, ignore the few obnoxious jerks you will see and hear. They are in the vast minority.

Absolutely. Furthermore, these message boards can be an excellent way to foster this kind of good will before the games. I met several very cool people from Bowling Green last year who showed up in a DeKalb bar I had recommended to them via a message board.
I have gotten excellent recommendations from people in Madison, Kalamazoo, Champaign via these message boards, and I have had positive experiences in each of those places while following the Huskies in the last few years. I fully anticipate my trips to Toledo and Bowling Green this year will be equally pleasant.
Not only do I make a point of trying to reach out to fans from opposing schools when they visit DeKalb, I also dissuade Huskie fans from behaving like a-holes whenever possible. I took a bunch of jackasses to task for accosting some BG fans last year and I fully intend to do the same with any idiots who think a victory by the local sports team is ample excuse to act like grade school bullies.

Flying Corn,

I also like to hang out with opposing teams' fans before and after the game. Why some people have to be complete Aholes is beyond me. I remember last yr when some BG fans (I couldn't make the trip) came back from DeKalb, they were po'ed at the behavior of a few NIU fans. I stated every team has a few and not to stereotype the whole fan base by what a few do. I have been to the last 2 BG/Marshall games in Hton and had a great time...even after losing in the last 3 min in 2001, 37-31.
Most of the Herd fans I came in contact with were VERY cordial and wanted to hang out and find out which BG players to keep an eye on and so forth. It is a game between 2 schools...sportsmanship is so important, especially these days.


Any visiting fans coming to Perry Stadium this year...I would like to extend an invite to come over to our tailgate area by the golf course hill (it is the only hill within a 30 mile radius ) and have a grilled brat and a couple of cold ones....except you UT fans! Just kiddin!
Hey, we all love our schools and teams...no matter who they are. If ANY BG fans or students cause trouble or act like jackasses, I apologize in advance. There are bound to be a few in every stadium.

GO MAC!!! GO BG!!!

Goldenbuc Wrote:With no disrespect to the MAC...but fans down here aren't too familiar with MAC play and are only familiar with a few teams. They're used to seeing teams like Central Michigan, Bowling Green, Akron..etc. as being the opening floormats for UF. Being surrounded by Gator, Noles and Miami fans..it's tough to sell these MAC teams coming in.

Funny...I don't remember ever playing Florida, FSU or Miami CG.

Falconfreak90 Wrote:Why some people have to be complete Aholes is beyond me. I remember last yr when some BG fans (I couldn't make the trip) came back from DeKalb, they were po'ed at the behavior of a few NIU fans. I stated every team has a few and not to stereotype the whole fan base by what a few do.

Thank you. Some of the kids were pretty hostile to the BG fans during the game. Sorry about that. I, and most of the people I know, do whatever possible to dissuade that kind of stupidity. Nothing wrong with talking trash, but it really isn't necessary to throw stuff at people and pick fights.. :rolleyes:

Looking forward to the trip to the correctional facility...er, uh, I mean, the Doyt this year :D

Let me say this - I love the Internet and these types of forums. However, the Internet IS a cesspool. There is no getting around it. Just take a look in my Inbox and look at all of the garbage that I get daily. You have to take the bad with the good - and there is so much good.

Knowing that the Internet is a cesspool and that it is loaded with lies and half-truths, I try to be very careful what I believe. I know many people that have the belief that if it is on the Internet, then it must be 100% true. After all, computers don't lie - the people that design them, program them, and use them do though.

OK. That's all I have to say. Let's get back to taking quotes out of context, exaggerating them, and using them to trash each other. :chair:

Quote:Let's get back to taking quotes out of context, exaggerating them, and using them to trash each other.

My specialty.