Intercollegiate Athletic
Committee Meeting
February 5, 2004
Special Meeting: A special meeting of the IAC was held on February 5, 2004, in the Page
Conference Room in Gamble Hall (Room 118C).
The purpose was to discuss the issue of sportsmanship and fan behavior
at athletic contests with President Charles E. Kupchella. The meeting ran for approximately one hour,
beginning at 3:00 p.m.
Attending: Brad Berg, Charlie Bridgeford, Jared
Bruggeman, Judy DeMers, Ray Diez, Lillian Elsinga, Phil Harmeson, Gina
Hendrickson, Charles Kupchella, Susan Nelson, Elizabeth Nichols, Sherry Penner,
Mark Rudolph, Lowell Schweigert,
John Sirignano, Bruce Smith, Roger Thomas, Paul Todhunter
President Kupchella, in preparation for the meeting, had
distributed a compilation of some letters and e-mails he had received in the
last couple of months in regard to the issue as well as his response and appeal
for help. Discussion proceeded from this
point of departure. The focus was on how
to support better sportsmanship by our fans.
The following suggestions were made:
- Separate
students from the visiting team; opposite side of the field/court (applies
to both football and basketball)
- Encourage
cheers without profanity; encourage creativity
- Penalty
by referees
- Play
the fight song of the opposing school
- Meetings
to prepare or certify fans
- Public
relations appeals by current athletes or former Sioux athletes
- Foster
respect for the opposing team??
- Sioux
Crew-raise the level of sportsmanship!!
- Pride
of the Sioux!!
- Penalizing
inappropriate fan behavior, whether student or other, by canceling out
their ticket for the next game
IAC members indicated they would be supportive of efforts to
increase sportsmanship by all fans.