Rowdy Red Wave fans cause student blues

By Chad Knudsen

This weekend my wife and I were kicked out of the Fresno State football game.

Not by our own volition, the event staff or any wrong doing on our part. We were booted by my fellow CSUF peers. Just weeks before, I purchased my coveted student season ticket, and a discount pass for my lovely wife. I prepared myself for the game like most Valley fans. I bought the red T-shirts, hats, and stadium-folding chair complete with the cute Bulldogs logo on back. We tailgated on fine pizza and root beer as we proceeded to pump ourselves up for our first season together as Fresno State fans.

Prior to our entry we were given a flyer distributed by the event staff. It was a notice written by coach Pat Hill. In this handout he asked all in attendance to be good sports and not use vulgar or profane language, throw objects, be publicly intoxicated, or use verbally abusive language toward fans and players. Three video-recorded public service announcements by University President John Welty, Athletic Director Scott Johnson and Hill before the game, pleading with fans to be good sports and reiterated the rules in the handout.

My initial thought was, “Is all this really necessary?” Actually it wasn’t enough. As the students piled into the student section, my wife and I were inundated by vulgar comments, and crude public displays of drunken chatter. Portland State entered, and there were not-so-classy students saying the “F” word in unison every three seconds. My dad was an assistant athletic director at the university, and he would take me to practically every home game. Of all the times attending these games, I’ve never been so appalled by my own fans.

Throughout the first quarter, I asked those students around me to respect the rules stated by the university, or at least be sensitive to the fact that it offended my wife and me. These requests were to no avail. The language and chants of vulgarity continued with even more fervor. The more I pleaded, the more glaring and snide looks we received. In tactful ways, I tried to ask my fellow students to show some respect to the university and its players. The vulgarity then turned to us, as we were persecuted for trying to be good sports. Persecuted for trying to do what faculty and coaches announced and pleaded for from the university’s students and fans.

My wife and I could not stand the intense vulgarity any longer. With our evening ruined and our school pride fumbled, we had to leave the student section. My fellow student body had emotionally and physically kicked us out of the section.

I will not return to the student section again. I will not share this football season with poor sports, individuals who show zero respect for anyone including him or herself, and show absolutely no moral standards on which they stand. Maybe it was wrong to think that it was possible for my wife and I to enjoy ourselves in the student section, and not be bombarded with vulgar catch phrases and off-color cheers.

However, I will return to the games. I’ve upgraded to a section far from my fellow students. I will be loud and proud, just like Hill has asked his fans to be. The only cheers I will be shouting that start with the letter “F” will be Fresno State.

I ask the fans to stand with me and be good sports. Stand up for good college football fun; stand up for first downs, touchdowns and Timeout. Let’s continue to paint the Valley red with our outstanding fan support. Will the real Fresno State fans please stand up.