JJ, here.
I just want to let you know that I’m not going to moralize right now, even though I think there are plenty of reasons to do so. Instead, I just want to ask some simple questions about the actions of the fans (specifically, the student section, “The Pit Crew”) at the UCLA-Oregon game on Thursday night.
That’s all.
Well, almost all. I might have a few moralizing thoughts, here or there…
And I want to use the University of Oregon Athletic Department’s Code of ConDUCKt as a place to start.
If you’re not familiar with the entire “Code of ConDUCKt”, here it is.
Here’s an excerpt:
The Code of ConDUCKt requests fans to refrain from disruptive behavior, including foul language and obscene gestures; to sit only in their ticketed seats; to comply with requests from event staff; and use of tobacco products is only allowed in designated areas.
At Thursday’s game, I heard Don Essig refer to the Code of ConDUCKt in his pre-game announcements. So, that leads me to a couple of questions:
Question: Were fans engaging in “disruptive behavior”?
DSN (JJ): Probably, but that’s a hard one to determine. What’s the definition of “disruptive behavior”? It could mean anything from yelling “fire” to hitting someone. I really didn’t see any of that. Although, I think there was a lot of gasoline getting tossed around.
Question: Was there “foul language”?
DSN (JJ): Yes. “Kevin’s a p~$$#”. I think “f@%%&#” was also used. And I’m sure there was other language used that I just didn’t hear. Also, quite a number signs used foul language, as well.
Question: Were there “obscene gestures”?
DSN (JJ): Yeah. Saw those, too. I think the middle finger was the most popular one. Actually, I kept on seeing the same student do that right above Athletic Director Pat Kilkenny’s head, who was seated right in front of the student section on the floor. And could the contents of a sign be considered an “obscene gesture”? Maybe.
Here’s another excerpt:
“The University of Oregon is committed to doing everything it can to help ensure that its sporting events are safe and enjoyable for all spectators. With the Code of ConDUCKt and related efforts in place, Autzen Stadium will continue to be a premier venue for college football,” President Frohnmayer said.
Assuming that President Frohnmayer still believes this to be true and should be applied to all sports venues, here are a few more questions to think about:
Question: Was that game “safe and enjoyable for all spectators”?
DSN (JJ): I don’t think so. Just ask the Loves. What the Loves have done in the past does not matter here. What the Duck fans did Thursday night is the issue. Was it safe? Was it safe for the Loves? Yeah…after they had a complement of police officers surrounding them that would rival the President’s Secret Service protection. Was it “enjoyable” for them? Even though UCLA got the win, I doubt the experience was enjoyable.
But was the game even enjoyable for Duck fans? Probably not. It’s been described as stomach-turning, embarrassing, vile, disgusting, inappropriate, and foul. And that’s coming from Duck fans. When parents have to start telling their children “ear-muffs” at games, that’s not probably not “enjoyable”.
So, is the University of Oregon committed to making it safe and enjoyable for all fans, or just the ones that aren’t the Loves?
Here’s an excerpt from former Athletics Director Bill Moos:
“It is of utmost importance to the university that the behavior at our athletic events is consistent with the high standards for which we are known,” Moos emphasized. “I applaud the good work by members of my staff in addressing this concern and ask that our great fans be more conscious of how they treat each other while making Autzen Stadium the toughest place to play in the Pac-10.”
I’m going to assume current Athletics Director Pat Kilkenny agrees. If that’s the case…
Question: Was that game “consistent with the high standards for which we are known“?
DSN (JJ): No. Actually, I think Mac Court set a new low standard. And don’t kid yourself. For as much good will as Dennis Dixon pocketed for Oregon during the football season, Oregon just blew it all during the UCLA game. And Oregon is taking an absolute beating in the national press because of that game.
Question: Have members of the Athletics Department staff addressed these concerns?
DSN (JJ): I don’t know. But it doesn’t sound like they are going to be addressing these concerns. Here’s what the University of Oregon’s Greg Walker told the Los Angeles Times:
Greg Walker, a spokesman for the Oregon athletic department, acknowledged that some of the chants and signs were in poor taste. “But the other side of this is a free speech issue,” Walker said. “We don’t have the authority to take away signs. We don’t agree with all the things that were said or that they were in the best of taste. We’re aware of everything that was said and we’re not always proud. But there is a right to free speech.”
Question: Are signs at a University of Oregon basketball game a free speech issue?
DSN (JJ): I don’t think so. And why do I think that? Because the U of O says so. Let’s look back to the University of Oregon’s Code of ConDUCKt:
Spectators who refuse to abide by the behavior guidelines are subject to removal from the stadium, as well as the revocation of season tickets and/or the right to purchase single-game tickets to future University of Oregon events.
Question: What can the University of Oregon do in the future to prevent the concerns?
DSN (JJ): According to their own code, fans can be removed from the venue, have their season tickets revoked, and prevented from purchasing any tickets (to any events) for not complying with their code.
But here are a few more, less draconian (maybe more) steps they can take in addition to the ones mentioned in the code if things don’t improve:
- Ban all signs from Mac Court
- Discontinue the Pit Crew practice of lining up before the game
- Decertify the Pit Crew as a student organization
- Reduce student allotment of tickets
- Disperse the students to various sections around Mac Court
There’s one more thing that could be done: if the chanting happens again, Mr. Frohnmayer or Mr. Kilkenny could take the mic from Don Essig, apologize, and nicely request that the chanting stop.
And why is this a concern? Because it’s going to happen again when Washington and Ryan Appleby come to Mac Court.
Here are a couple of questions for you:
Question: Do you want the University of Oregon associated with that behavior?
Question: Do you think the behavior at the UCLA game did the University of Oregon any good?
Question: How would the University of Oregon have been viewed if they had at least been indifferent towards the Loves?
There are a lot of questions here. Fortunately, the University of Oregon doesn’t have to go very far to find the answers. They already know them.
Whether the U of O chooses to do anything is another question.
JJ
[Editor's note: If you are a regular visitor to DSN, you probably saw the posts we had on what to expect at the UCLA game (Pit Crew: Tonight, There Will Be Signs & Here’s What You Can Expect From The Pit Crew). Let me make this clear: I'm not against the Pit Crew having fun and making Mac Court an intimidating place for opposing teams. I anticipated more of a fun ESPN College Gameday feel to it, as opposed to what materialized Thursday night. And that's the spirit those other posts were made in.]
Tags: Basketball, Chants, Kevin Love, Mac Court, oregon, Pit Crew
DuckPride Says:
January 26th, 2008 at 1:34 pm
It’s too bad… The Pit Crew used to be so clever and intelligent. The point is to be loud and make it difficult for the opponent. A lot of what they’re doing now seems to just fire up the opponents. To resort to some of things that they did… just very disappointing. Now we’ll have to spend several years trying to rebuild a once awesome fan reputation.
Joe Says:
January 26th, 2008 at 2:15 pm
I will add, any obscene gestures or profanity is not acceptable. When I was a student, we knew we could not go there. That’s a technical foul.
DuckFan Says:
January 26th, 2008 at 2:17 pm
As one of the biggest Duck fans I know (tattoo and all), I was pretty embarrassed Thursday night. It is one thing to razz an opponent, try to disrupt their timing, or just make as much noise as possible. But, to say some of the things I heard on Thursday. As a former Pit Crew member, we used to be clever…now it just seems we’re foul! Really sad! And I have been surfing the web…JJ is right, we are getting destroyed nationally for this! Come on Duck Fans….class it up!
wheaton4prez Says:
January 26th, 2008 at 2:52 pm
Good article. I agree 100%.
(But, I still think that the Duck mascot beating up other mascots if they cross the line should be fair game!)
David Jensen Says:
January 26th, 2008 at 3:37 pm
I agree. The Pit Crew has made national bad news, not just in LA and Seattle. It makes UO athletics and Eugene look bad.
Sid Wicks Says:
January 26th, 2008 at 5:24 pm
Totally agree. Lose the foul language and the slurs. Totally Lame.
C’mon Pit Crew take this as a challenge to be more creative.
Jordan Says:
January 26th, 2008 at 5:36 pm
i’ve been telling everybody that the pit crew sucks now… it was good when my sister went here.. theres just too many dumba$$es like the guy who ALWAYS wears that stupid wrestling mask. the pit crew is a joke, thats why i don’t sit in it.. i don’t like being surrounded by idiots who don’t even know much about the game of basketball anyway.
its not as bad as rutgers students telling a service academy (Navy) to go F*** itself.. so i guess they have that going for them…
Treston Says:
January 26th, 2008 at 6:01 pm
Way to call the UofO out for using Free Speech as a scape goat. Too many people use Free Speech as a reason to get away with something or to justify a lack of action. Free Speech protects us from the government. I know it’s a public entity, but the UofO has no problem telling people that they can’t sell ticket on “Private Property” or distinguish their Parking lot at Autzen from others that are adjacent or control what we bring into the venues. They should have no problem enforcing rules of conduct in their building. Free Speech does not protect foul language and poor behavior at a basketball game.
TOM SIMS Says:
January 26th, 2008 at 7:15 pm
I was not there, however; based on conversations of some who where, this forum notes..IMO the
Dept. should have stepped up, been proactive to
have stopped it from the get go before game started or at least at half time.
The Uof O must get a handle on this NOW!
We could see a full blown riot, injuries, game forfeiture, PAC10/NCAA sanctions!!
Remove signs, toss people out,m whatever it takes. Use PA as a a tool starting with very stiff
warning–then follow through if not heeded.
admin Says:
January 26th, 2008 at 8:03 pm
I think the announcement Ernie made before tonights game was a good move by the athletic dept.
Pig Dog Says:
January 26th, 2008 at 9:37 pm
While the slurs and such are not a good thing, the old pit crew said horrid things to Reggie Miller et al. The difference now is the increase in television broadcasts. I think the ConDUCKt thing has its place but can turn into a morality test and slippery slope quite quickly. Everyone needs to stop being wimps and make the Pit and Autzen a hard place to visit
Joe Says:
January 26th, 2008 at 10:09 pm
I seriously would not be too concerned about some chants by 18-23 year-olds. Instead, let work on finding a new basketball coach because EK is a joke. Tonight he blamed the refs and blamed the UCLA game for tonight dismal performance. 21 points given up in OT! I am glad he waited until halfway through the Pac-10 season to mention the need defense. This year look bad. Next year looks like the bottom of the Pac-10 for Oregon. With on KB, TP, and JC coming back with a bunch of unproven freshman, the future of the program is NOT encouraging.
Fire Kent sooner than later. Please.
FortheloveofDuck Says:
January 27th, 2008 at 10:44 am
Hey PITDOG(pup),
it is not about everyone else ‘being wimps’ when discussing poor taste and lack of class coming out of our own pit crew. That makes as much sense as calling an elite athlete who came in and spanked our team a p**sy or fa&%ot… It reflects more on the the immature attitude of our student fan base, most of whom probably didn’t even go to watch the game, rather they came to be obscene. I appreciate having one of the most vocal and distracting arenas to play in but when the student section takes such leaps backwards in sports etiquette and lack of judgement, I would whole heartedly agree on disbanding the pit crew from being a student organization and representation of my alma mater. Apparently many of us ‘wimps’ agree, so maybe it is time to grow up a bit.
Pig Dog Says:
January 27th, 2008 at 1:41 pm
FortheLoveofDuck
My point, which I can clearly see you missed, was that there is an element of bible thumping and moralistic tone from the rants of the 40 plus year old posters here. I am one of those. While I think the Pit Crew can do better than yelling that, let’s all not pretend that we did not do the same thing…..it just was not on TV.
Wimp was a poor word choice by me. However, be careful what you wish for. A cruddy call that you utter disbelief of an outcome or play call- will land you outside of the Pit or Autzen.
Glass houses come to mind
RPlow Says:
January 27th, 2008 at 10:05 pm
I’m sick and tired of hearing that supposedly the Pit Crew crossed the line in vulgarity for Kevin Love. If people are shocked that college students of all people chanted something of the female anatomy and the slang term for a homosexual male at Love, they are completely naive. Let’s be honest, what was heard at Mac Court Thursday night was no worse than what one can hear any night of the week on television and the radio. Thursday night was a way of defining Mac Court once again as a brutal place to play, much like that of Cameron Indoor Stadium at Duke. They are much more vicious than the Pit Crew has ever been and do they get admonished by the media? Of course not because they are college students. The games are for the student body as a whole at the basic level, not for other people. If you punish the Pit Crew and the students for being that engaged in the game then you punish the college sports scene as a whole. Remember what it is like to be young. Maybe so called “maturity” is more detrimental to the mental state of a person than doing what is fun and harmless. Love is subject to that kind of torment just like Appleby and every other athlete is. It is all in good fun so let’s all take a deep breath and drop the uppity snobbish attitude that some seem to have. Thursday night was a refreshing reminder of school spirit in its quintessential form, nothing more and nothing less.
keith Says:
January 28th, 2008 at 1:10 pm
Rplow-
Give me a break, you can’t use the television and radio excuse any more than the free speech claim can be used as a scape goat. I can’t remember the last time I heard the f bomb dropped on TV and if I am correct, a person can’t just sit on the corner calling people a holes, f#$%ots or any other deragatory remark without being arrested for disorderly conduct. Why would that be alright in an arena?
As for the games being for the college students. That is absolutely rediculous. The games are for all the fans who have a connetion to the university so therefore the students don’t automatically have the right to create an uncomfortable situation for the rest of the spectators in the audience. I don’t think the student dues pay for the sports teams.
As an alumnus in CA, who shows great pride in my University, times like these are very embarrasing because all I ever do is talk about how great of a school it is. This bad press is very condradictory.
Bring back the good days of getting that arena so raucus that the rim starts shaking once again.