2008 Woodie Awards
Hockey Political Correctness Has Gone Way Too Far
Observations of the Demise of Clarkson Hockey Spirit
Daniel Thomas
Issue date: 2/6/06 Section: Opinion
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As a Clarkson senior, I remember the days of "SLU Swallows" shirts on the backs of fans in the student section and having taunts from the whistle tower. While the NCAA makes the claim that harassment of many forms towards coaches and athletes are illegal, the students in the student section still do it, as they should since I am sure there is not a clean house anywhere college hockey is played.
However, over the last two years the Pep Band has been ordered by the administration to play over common calls like "Bull $#!%". The reason why the administration does not want certain inflammatory phrases said is to promote a family atmosphere at the games. However, these are the same people who apparently are so delu-sional that they probably think that these same kids have not already heard such language in their own schooling. I bet if we were to visit any of the local middle schools, and probably the elementary schools as well, we would hear equally offensive statements being said in the halls and on the buses, at least that was my experience.
I actually liked how at the game against Saint Lawrence, the student section did not immediately back down on the BS call even as the Pep Band played away.
I feel the political correctness from an official stand is here to stay. The only advice I have for my fellow Clarkson hockey fans in the student section is to keep chanting what you want, and just because the Pep Band is forced to play does not mean you should cower. Remember, we went six minutes with,"Put It Back On," and if it takes six minutes of over-shooting the Pep Band to remind Clarkson that the fans make Clarkson Hockey at Cheel Arena what it is supposed to be, and are why people come to the game rather than listen from home.
However, over the last two years the Pep Band has been ordered by the administration to play over common calls like "Bull $#!%". The reason why the administration does not want certain inflammatory phrases said is to promote a family atmosphere at the games. However, these are the same people who apparently are so delu-sional that they probably think that these same kids have not already heard such language in their own schooling. I bet if we were to visit any of the local middle schools, and probably the elementary schools as well, we would hear equally offensive statements being said in the halls and on the buses, at least that was my experience.
I actually liked how at the game against Saint Lawrence, the student section did not immediately back down on the BS call even as the Pep Band played away.
I feel the political correctness from an official stand is here to stay. The only advice I have for my fellow Clarkson hockey fans in the student section is to keep chanting what you want, and just because the Pep Band is forced to play does not mean you should cower. Remember, we went six minutes with,"Put It Back On," and if it takes six minutes of over-shooting the Pep Band to remind Clarkson that the fans make Clarkson Hockey at Cheel Arena what it is supposed to be, and are why people come to the game rather than listen from home.