The emotional intensity of football games can blur the line between rivalry and misconduct. Recent student altercations have brought the issue of student etiquette into sharper focus.
For Audrey Papineau, cheer captain and ASB treasurer, the recent altercations, while notable, are not the main story. She reflects on her years of cheering and notes that physical conflicts are often just a small part of a much larger, more complex atmosphere fueled by team passion.
“There’ve been a couple [of] fights, but I wouldn’t say it’s intense or a major issue,” Papineau said. “I’d say most of the fights have been decently tame – I think it’s just a testament to how much our team cares and how much other teams care, and just the excitement around the game in general.”
A different perspective came from the school’s athletics liaison, sophomore Chloe Steinburg, who argued that students have a personal responsibility to act respectfully.
“We can improve our student etiquette just by being respectful and responsible people,” Steinburg said. “Taking a step back and realizing it’s just a football game; we don’t need to be hating on the other team because it just makes us look bad and dumb.”
However, sophomore Lucy Nelson-Miller offered a different perspective, suggesting that while last year’s behavior was a problem, the issue is not as bad as it has been.
“I’d say that usually our student etiquette is fine,” Nelson-Miller said, “but a lot last year was pretty bad with people throwing things and saying bad things about the other team, but I think we’ve got it a bit more under control.”
However, this general improvement in conduct does not necessarily reflect the overall atmosphere of the student section, especially when compared to other schools.
“Our student energy is pretty lacking,” Papineau said. “I remember our game against Eastside Catholic… we looked across the stands, and seeing how excited their student section was, was kind of sad compared to ours.”
While some students see the energy as lacking overall, Steinburg thinks it is particularly strong during key moments.
“The energy is definitely hyped,” Steinburg said. “We believe in our team and we want to win, obviously. Whenever there’s a good play, we always get excited.”
Sporting events foster environments of high-intensity emotions; the product of this excitement is often chants that echo through the stands. While the rowdiness of noise gets students on their feet and cheering, there is discussion regarding the often blurred line between spirit and discourtesy.
“It’s pretty disrespectful at times,” sophomore Siri Gaaserud, ASB’s digital marketing manager said. “Like, when you tell the other team ‘weight room’ after a tackle, […] those are just disrespectful and don’t really encompass the Ballard community in a positive light.”
Furthermore, sophomore Damian Miller’s outlook on student etiquette highlights the instances when chants motivate and rally, but spotlights the potential for growth in the student section’s responsibility to the venue.
“People litter a lot; yeah, there are chants like ‘scoreboard,’ but they are always in the name of fun and a good time,” Miller said. “People just need to pick up after themselves.”
Students have varying opinions on the overall state of etiquette in the stands, but there is unanimity among many that there is at least some room for improvement when it comes to showing up and showing out.
“I’d say it’s a little lackluster, but I don’t think there’s a problem with the level of energy,” Gaaserud said,“It’s not depressing or anything.”
While those in attendance bring the energy, the crowds are perceptibly limited in size. The renovation Memorial Stadium is undergoing is certainly a factor in the density of the crowd; some claim there is a direct correlation between student turnout and the presence of a home field.
“During my freshman year I went to almost every single game and the stands were always packed,” sophomore Alex Herndon said. “I honestly think a big part of that is having Memorial Stadium because it’s a better venue and there’s more to do around there.”
Moreover, another component to consider is the abundance of Saturday games at noon this season versus the allure of Friday Night Lights.
“Like, ‘oh, it’s just the middle of a Saturday, I don’t want to go,’” Herndon said. “For Friday nights, like, ‘oh, this is fun, let’s go to a football game.’”
In spite of the vacancy of an official home stadium this season and the years to come, it is vital that the student section steps up to foster spirit and represent the school in a respectful manner.
