Do You Boo or Cheer?

I went to a college game this weekend with my wife, Jeanie, one of our sons, Conor, and Conor’s fiance’, Katie. Katie had not been to a major college game before, and was quite excited.

Before the game started, it was a raucous crowd, with the student section really getting into it, as they do at college games. As the opposing team came out onto the floor, the students stood and booed them, as they normally do. Then, they booed them during introductions, as they normally do, with catcalls included.

Now, understand a little bit about my future daughter-in-law: She is a very sweet person, unless she’s driving in traffic, and would never yell derogatorily at anyone, unless driving in traffic.

So she was a bit taken aback; she felt badly for the opposing team. She didn’t think it was very nice, and certainly not hospitable. We assured her that this is very common, just part of the atmosphere at college games. When everyone stood and cheered the intros of the home team, she was much happier and very enthusiastic.

But her natural reaction got me thinking about my behavior at games, in particular, and all fans’ behavior, in general.

I can be a big fan. After years of scouting college games (a job in which I can show no prejudice), often with no real interest in who would win or lose, it is nice to be able to be involved. I am definitely up and cheering.

It struck me after Katie’s comment, however, that I can never, ever remember booing. I can never remember booing an opposing player, or even yelling at an opposing player. I can’t even remember booing at a ref, though I’m sure I may have occasionally pointed out where an official may have erred.

Even through the years of attending our sons’ games, from youth to high school through college, I don’t think I have ever booed. I will stand, clap, and cheer, but I am one who concentrates on the positives for his team. I think this is more effective.

Maybe it comes from my days as a player. I loved it when people would yell or boo at me; I did not find it intimidating. I think it just got me more up for the game. I didn’t particularly like it when I got spit on, but there is nothing better than to hear an opposing crowd go quiet.

Uh, can one hear something go quiet? I digress. You know what I mean.

Some of my favorite moments when I was with the Pacers was to hear the opponent’s home crowd start yelling “No, no!” when Reggie Miller would get open for a shot, even before he actually shot the ball. Then I got to hear their sigh of either relief or regret (more often regret with Reg), after he shot the ball. To quiet a crowd is the best.

I do appreciate student sections that are clever with their ridicule. Duke is the best at it. Distraction can be more effective than intimidation, in my opinion, and those guys at Duke can be distracting.

I am not denying that players can be affected by crowds, and noise and situations. They certainly can be. But I think cheering for your team, getting behind them, is even more effective. This is especially true when attending youth games; I'm appalled when parents yell at the opposing fourth graders.

Young players are particularly vulnerable. Be positive with both teams, especially when they are struggling.

And for you youth ball fans and coaches, get off the refs. If they were that good in the first place, they would not be reffing a junior high game. Even the guys who ref for a living make mistakes. Give these guys a break. And understand when I say this that for me to tell anyone to give refs a break, that's a hard thing to do.

So why do fans boo so much? Frustration? A release of tension? Or because they think they are supporting their team?

I have to admit I have always found it pretty funny when I see a normally sweet, elderly woman stand up and boo vociferously. Cracks me up.

Don’t get me wrong; I love all fans. They paid my salary for many, many years. I love their enthusiasm, it’s just that I don’t always understand them.

But to get back to Katie: She enjoyed the game immensely, cheered with the best of them, and loved it when after an opposing player fouled out, the crowd yelled “left, right, left, right,” etc., as he walked off the floor and then serenaded him with a loud "SIT DOWN!" as he sat.

Oh no! What did we create here? Another future booer?