Spartan fan base's actions reflect poorly on MSU

I completely agree.

The football student section is a black mark on the university.

The problem is, I don’t see any practical way to stop it. It’s too large to be managed like the Izzone.

Perhaps a one game suspension or a game where thousands are kicked out for inappropriate behavior are the only options.

I’m in support of either.

I completely agree.

The football student section is a black mark on the university.

The problem is, I don’t see any practical way to stop it. It’s too large to be managed like the Izzone.

Perhaps a one game suspension or a game where thousands are kicked out for inappropriate behavior are the only options.

I’m in support of either.

This is a 3 minute google search:
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Oh and a bunch of stuff about a gopher from minnesota mocking a religious penn state player.

Its a problem with sports in general. Theres just something about it gets people all riled up and uncivilized. Hm I wonder what it could possibly be.

link

Agreed, intercollegiate athletics, especially football and basketball, turns us into uncivilized savages, much to the pleasure of our financial slave holders in New York City and Washington, D.C.

Nick,
You’re a cry baby. Waaaa glow sticks, Waaa my friend being insulted, waaaaaaaaaa

I agree with everything he says. I’ve sat next to Nick at many of these games and sometimes its just plain mean and disrespectful. Honestly I’ve tried to defend my beloved spartans but its getting to be too much. Those links show it all, what everyone thinks of us, what we have done to make msu a mockery and why we have these labels upon us.

Tedman, You are an idiot. You are the reason this article was written.

While i think much of the fuss is overblown – all major college football programs have similar fan actions – some are over the line. Throwing things at players who are praying, mocking anyone injured, or the whole “they suck balls” thing isn’t energizing to our team at all and just makes us look bad. If it was motivating to our team i could maybe try and justify some of them but since they’re not they really not only reflect very poorly, they take the place of other, more motivating cheers and make the “12th man” less effective.

Perhaps people wouldn’t boo the injured player if he didn’t milk it to get a bullshit call.

Get over it. Spartan Stadium isn’t a G rated movie. If you don’t like it don’t got.

What a shame. This appears to be another example of the general degradation of civility in our society. Perhaps security needs to be increased and to do their job a little better. If this behavior wasn’t tolerated it would change. Often times groups of people will do whatever they can get away with. This behavior seems much like the problems we read about in the paper after a big victory or loss that embarrass Spartan fans everywhere. Spartan Stadium should be G-Rated so games can be enjoyed by all fans.

I’m with John.

I wish Spartan Stadium continued to boo all the way until the Refs left the field after the game.

Thank you for having a pair……..and calling out your own side!!!!
That display on television was by far some of the worst sportsmanship I have ever seen in my life!!!
You stay classy Sparty fan…..we’ll send ya a post card from Pasadena!

Its MSU, you guys are expected to act like uneducated animals… Was kinda sad not to see any post-game couch burning and riots. MSU’s purpose is to serve as the laughing stock of the Big Ten and when you people don’t fulfill your obligations, why even have a school full of under-achieving delinquents in the Big Ten.

I agree with a lot of what is said in this letter, actually all of them except the comment about Sparty starting the wave when there was an injured player. If you think back to the central game, when the student section got bored during an injury time out they began chanting F—- Central. I think he was likely told to distract the student section and keep them busy during this time out so that our classless fans wouldn’t come up with a vulgar cheer.

He didn’t milk it for the call. He was knocked out and had a small seizure right after as well. watch the replay, it was clear helmet to helmet and he finished the hit up top, which is against the rules. Another reason the flag was thrown was the taunting by the MSU player after the hit.

That was a black eye on the MSU and on your fan base. Comments like john’s and ham’s are an example of that black eye and poor sportsmanship.

Its MSU, to be expected. What do you expect from the academically least selective and academically lowest ranked school in the Big Ten. A school like MSU is full of idiots. Shouldn’t be much of a surprise how their students/alumni behave.

Sarah,
Those links show this is a widespread problem and are from other student newspapers about their university, NOT MSU. Maybe you should read before you make a comment.

And Nick, sorry no one called the waaaaambulance for you.a

Did phil call me black?

That’s racist.

At least we know to use the correct form of “It’s” and to end interrogative sentences (even rhetorical ones) with a question mark.

On the topic of the game, some behavior was out of line. The throwing of glowsticks on field seemed pointless. Never before have I seen the football student section throw things intended to enhance cheering on the field so often.

Outside of that, there was nothing out of line.

Anyone who thinks an unconscious kid having a seizure on the field is “milking” the hit to get a flag is seriously stupid.

We had a great time with the MSU fans before and after the game. Unfortunately, during the game was another story. It’s one thing to boo a bad call, it’s another to boo him as he is leaving the field. And it takes it a step further when a MSU father is encouraging his 10 yr old(?) son to cuss out the player/refs/opposing fans. Very classy.

I agree that this is something that happens at all sporting events, no fan base is immune. But all of these negative comments on this letter just prove the author’s point. Grow up everyone!

As a Hawk fan I was shocked by MSU fans but it good to see a lot of you do have class and are real Big 10 fans. I hope you can fix it, you have a great team and all fans should be able to go to Spartan Stadium and enjoy the game.

The player wasnt getting booed by the fans the CALL and the refs were! Im tired of hearing and reading stuff about weird kids that want the football game to be played in a library! Every other stadium does the same thing. College students are college students. Grow a pair and if someone is really bothering you go tell the security instead of running home to your laptop and crying on it.

Hey John Hinton-I just called USC and told them IOWA was going to be their opponent for the annual beatdown. Their response: AHAHAHAHAHAHA! Seriously?

I’ve been to every big ten stadium (some several times). In general, I’ve always enjoyed Spartan Stadium. However, booing when a player has just been hammered by head-to-head contact, and now has a concussion, is definitely classless. If you look closely on tape, Sandeman appeared to have a seizure immediately after the incident (look at his arm). So, I can understand the immature, drunken behavior of 19 year olds playing with glow sticks and saying new, exciting naughty words after drinking their first beers.

While I believe some of what has been said was true. I must really question why the State News would publish an article like that. He might be good on his grammar but he certainly ain’t good with vocabulary! Whoever mentions the word “dick” in an argument just made their argument totally classless to say the least.
So before you go start trashing your own university, go improve your English first.

Oh and P.S. I believe Sparty would not be really happy with what you have said. If you believe what Sparty did was to incite the crowd and look down on the Hawkeyes, you CLEARLY have not been to enough football games.

Oh well sorry I was just making a point that obviously didn’t get through to you. MSU is a great school and those who are enrolled are smart kids that just want to better themselves and recieve a good education.

I am a senior at MSU and am thoroughly disappointed in SOME of my fellow Spartans. For the most part I agree with the letter- it’s one thing to “have fun” during the games but there is a line that gets crossed way too often. I never swear during the cheers, I never boo the opponent or refs (no matter how horrible I think a call may be), and I never get so wasted that I cause issues with my fellow classmates in the student section.

First, thank you State News for running this opinion. I’m no saint when it comes to trash talking, but there are limits. I was disgusted by the comments I heard while #22 was down. Fellow students (and I use that term very loosely) yelled things like “get off the damn field already,” “what a &ucking pansy,” and my personal favorite, “he better be &ucking paralyzed.” I don’t care if that was Joe Shmo, Kirk Cousins or Mike Hart down on that field, that crosses a line that should not be crossed in any situation, much less a college football game.

Wait, so the Iowa Hawkeye fans, you know the school with the pink visitor’s locker room, are calling people out for immaturity?

Complaining about the student section is getting a bit old. Next game, just as you become frustrated, stop to really observe them. Then, think to yourself, “What a bunch of f-ing dorks.” It’s like the cast of Glee was multiplied by 1,000, fed a few jello shots, put in white t-shirts, and plopped in a section of the stadium.

The student section acting like complete animals is the reason why our athletic department has only scheduled 8 night games in the history of the program. They know that the immature and disrespectful behavior only increases at the night games. Don’t expect another one for awhile after this last display. Everyone can thank about 100-200 people that can’t control themselves, or worse, thinks it’s actually OK and cool to act that way.

Whoever said thank you State News for running this column hasn’t read this paper much. I’m not trying to call them out, but I’m just saying, as a senior, I’ve read this article a hundred times already. Every year, multiple times there is an article citing the unruly behavior of the student section. Every year someone is just sooo ashamed to be associated with the school, be it a student or alumni.

Who says he isn’t doing anything or anyone else isn’t? Maybe this is just one step. I don’t see you doing anything to help.

Give me a break. As an alumni I am disgusted to read this article and read some of these comments. It’s very clear that the fans were booing the call on the field. I was wathcing the game with other alumni and everyone was shocked to see that call. Also, I now live in Miami and my brother went to Florda. Do you think MSU is the only school where students get blasted for the games.

You seem more like you’re upset that people decide to drink. If you don’t like it don’t participate but this goes on at every university. Who are you to judge everyone. Get over it. Here’s some advice, critiquing people for a living isn’t going to get you very far in life.

from where i sat, just around the endzone from the students, i saw nothing of what you described. the fans around me were spartans and some sprinkled in hawkeyes alike and they got along just fine. i think most of what you witnessed is a youth problem. not really a spartan problem. naturally when you have a night game you are going to have an increase in drunks just because they had more time to drink.

I agree with Eric. My thoughts about the student section, though, are where are they? As an alum, I would give alot to be able to participate in the student section again. When I was at MSU (and it was only 3 years ago) the student section was almost full before the game and was definetly full shortly after kickoff. Where is everyone??

have you ever been to another schools student section? they all act the same way. that is why it is hard to win on the road. so get over your self.

As a Spartan undergrad and grad school alum, I am frankly pretty darn proud to be a Spartan. As many people have said, immature behavior is exhibited by students and adults alike at both college and professional sporting events everywhere in the world. So, please don’t insult us by claiming it is a distinctly MSU problem. Also, for Iowa fans who take the time to post on this site only to insult an entire school because a few fans booed at a bad late call (not your down player), how about you think before giving other people the opportunity to generalize your entire school based on your juvenile and idiotic comments.

I don’t care if other students are doing it, this is Michigan State.

I remember what it was like when I was there from 00 to 04 and we sucked horribly. The fans reflected the expectation of sucking. Part of the problem is we don’t know how to deal with success or expectations as a fan base. Until we do, I fully expect the students to continue to act like idiots.

1) Fans were booing the call, not the player. People clapped when he left then booed again after.
2) People are going to drink alcohol while tailgating. Catching a sweet buzz before the game is awesome.

GO GREEN

The reason people act so immature at games is because 99% of students who attend MSU ARE immature. I’m always surprised if I run in to someone here with more than two brain cells. And those who attend football games are generally the least intelligent and most immature of the student population. What do you expect?

Don’t use the word dick in your letter if you’re going to attack the Student Section for swearing, you hypocrite.

This type of behavior is displayed at nearly every college – get used to it! It’s a fact of life that can hardly be controlled. You may be embarrassed, but I guarantee that most of MSU is still proud to be Spartans. Get off your high horse and go to a different school.

We’re the laughing stock of the Big Ten?

Do you have the FRIB? The leading Study Abroad program? James Madison? Lyman Briggs?

Didn’t think so.

I agree with some of your comments, but I do also have to say if you have such a problem with the student section, why do you keep coming? You could buy cheaper tickets to football games and sit far away from the student section if it’s really that much of an issue.

That being said…I do think the coarse language that comes from the student section can be a bit much, but after the game is a different story.

Nick Thompson My friend, this thing you are witnessing is college. You should probably stop just attending school and go to college. It happens everywhere, and much worse in many places. Also, guess what I had a great time at the game while you were so concerned with petty cheers that you became infuriated enough to write this poorly written column; this looks like something a kinesiology major would write.

As an MSU grad and someone who has been to many stadiums, MSU is not alone. All schools do this and some actually have tradition built around it. I do think the athletic department should do assigned seats with upperclassment getting the best/front seats and working their way back, but you can’t stop everything. Quit complaining and learn to deal with it. Most of the stuff you mentioned is not unique to us. Try traveling to other stadiums before you write an opinion like this.

This article is a joke. You think Spartan Stadium is bad? Try being an actual fan and traveling to other stadiums. Penn State is by far the worst experience ive ever been apart of – students telling even my mom to go F herself. And while i defended her – i never got upset. Its college sports and everyone gets a little crazy – so what?

As for all the people with comments about our school and the academics – I mean lets not go there – no reason too.

Oh and about Iowa – by far the worst #4 rated team ive ever seen in my entire life. I pray they stumble somewhere and we get to send OSU to the rose bowl – because oregon will beat Iowa by more than 40 points

Has anyone been to Ohio State? I have and they are the worst fans ever. They yelled crap at us basically all the way to the car and they were #1 and we were under .500. You sound like a such a pansy. Dont go to the games. Rowdy crowds get the stadium jumping not a bunch of crybabies who know nothing about events of this nature. I am a proud MSU alum, some jerk off said we are the worst school academically in the B10?

It is pathetic that people are making excuses for MSU’s poor fan behavior and rationalizing by comparing it to another school’s by saying ‘at least we’re not like…’. Anyone can see that yelling obscenities and disrespecting the opposing team by cheering/doing the wave while a player is injured is simply not acceptable.

It is impressive that a current MSU student is addressing this issue, letting others know that this behavior is not thought acceptable to all MSU fans/students/staff/alum.

Tim – you moron, do a quick google search. The pink visitor locker rooms in Iowa City are a tradition started by their past-coach Hayden Fry. They are just one of the many psychology majoring mind added to his program.

Dantonio needs work on getting something like that because what he’s doing now obviously isn’t working.

i think you’re absolutely ridiculous and ignorant. just because you have opinions about the way people should act doesn’t mean the entire student section should bow down to your idiot ideas. if you have such a problem with it, STOP GOING. seriously…it’s like someone saying they’re afraid of clowns and going to the circus but then complaining. get over it and stop being such a toddler. i’d LOVE to see you say this to people during the game instead of running home and hopping on your computer where no one can hurt you. from now on, and i think i speak for a lot of people here, i think you should sit on the opposing team’s side. or better yet…go the hell home and watch it.

GO GREEN!

On the Up side: at least the 4 Freshmen weren’t there lobbing their wares. My 2 cents’ worth: 1) the prigs who all of a sudden are so shocked about the language apparently haven’t gone to many college football games staged pretty much anywhere. Classy?…Immature?…A recent development exclusive to games at Spartan Stadium? No, Yes, No. Get it out your system now, Hip Undergrads – Reality (think outsourcing)is right around the corner and it’s a whole lot more enlightening than yelling about your nads.

“I only could think: “You just lost a season-defining game by two points and you can say stuff like that? These Iowa fans aren’t saying anything; that shows way more class.’”
Not condoning swearing but anyone who wasn’t devastated after this game, which you clearly weren’t, is far from a true Spartan fan.

If anyone agrees/disagrees with what Nick said in this story and wants to make their opinion known, please e-mail me at wilso733@msu.edu. I am working on a story for my journalism class about sportsmanship at MSU. Thanks.

“Enthusiasm” of an SEC school? I was 11 years old when I went to the 1995 Independence Bowl in Louisiana. During the pre-game, our family had to go back to our car to finish tailgating because LSU fans were literally getting in our faces (most sporting tiger masks) screaming: “Tiger bait! Tiger bait!” and “F*** MSU, go back to Michigan!” It wasn’t just a couple people, it happened when we crossed many LSU tailgates.

HOW DARE YOU say that about Sparty!!! Did you stop to think why he started the wave during the injury? It wasn’t to celebrate the fact someone was injured, it was to deter the crowd from the play. He obviously saw the situation going in a negative direction and did what he could to try and distract the crowd from the call and the injury. Sparty NEVER does things that make this school look bad or convey poor sportsmanship. If you are saying that is what he intended then you are obviously out of touch with this school and not a Spartan. Go back to learning jumping jacks, and leave writing to professionals you pretentious “dick.”