Although fans are a crucial part of the atmosphere of any sporting event, at what point is the line drawn for unclassy fan behavior? As football and basketball compete against perceived rivals, the student section can be found dressed for the theme, watching the game, and, of course, cheering vivaciously.

The stand’s chants usually reflect common sentiment of the crowd, whether it be positive or negative.

However, many of the cheers are hardly inspiring, let alone appropriate. Many feature colorful phrases, unfit for any school function with small children and parents.

The fan section’s vulgar chants and premature comments of extreme domination, creates an atmosphere of enmity between the schools, especially if the Pumas go on to lose.

Unnecessary boasts like “we want Hamilton” while your team is getting crushed by another opponent; chants that allude to “bull (expletive)” are tacky and classless. Police officers have become a vital component to the safety of students because of the childish instigation, but school staff– teachers and administration– need to police the students because they clearly cannot police themselves.

Perry sports strive to demonstrate Victory with Honor- which is the staple of the AIA– and class but fans are an extension of our student body. Nothing screams tacky like cheering for injured players on the opposite team.

And while the argument may be that the negative cheers inspire confidence for athletes, many of the cheers aren’t even relative to the plays or calls.

Security should have the power to stop any person that misrepresents our school through tacky shouts or inappropriate behavior.

Chances are if you feel the need to censor your chants or dodge security’s angry glares, you need to change your cheers.