This post is a re-print of a letter to the editor published in the Ida County Courier on March 14, 2007. It followed back-to-back state runner-up finishes for the Battle Creek – Ida Grove Falcon girls’ basketball team (led by Kelsey Bolte, now a starter at ISU).
As the Falcons closed another excellent season last night, falling just short of a trip to the state tournament with a 55-48 loss against Manson – NW Webster in the regional final, and sportsmanship was certainly lacking (or, at the very least, there is always room for improvement), it seems appropriate to re-visit this letter.
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I wish to congratulate the Battle Creek – Ida Grove Falcon girls’ basketball team on an excellent season. Their success on and off the basketball court is truly something to be admired. I would also like to tip my hat to the Falcon fans for their support of our young athletes.
My experience at the state championship game Friday night was almost perfect, the only disturbance being the two men sitting behind me who exhibited some of the most immature and disrespectful behavior I have ever seen at a BCIG event. As the men missed no opportunity to yell at the officials and complain about how unfair the game was being called, I found myself wondering why they bothered making the drive to Des Moines and paying for tickets. More often than not, while the rest of us were cheering, those fools were yelling at the officials or sitting back with their arms crossed, pouting.
Now, I assume that the poor sports did not truly believe that verbally assaulting an official would result in a call being changed. And though it might create a valuable learning opportunity, I don’t anticipate officials forfeiting their stripes to spectators mid-game, especially not to the loud and arrogant among us.
Furthermore, since the men’s yelling became a distraction for other fans (and surely people on the court), I find it’s hard to imagine how their acts might have been helpful. In fact, I think it’s safe to say that their behavior reflected poorly on all of us.
As far as I can tell, for the men sitting behind me, the game was not about our excellent young athletes or showing them the support they need and deserve. In fact, it really wasn’t even about basketball. For the poor sports, attending the state championship game was nothing more than an ego trip at the expense of everyone else in attendance.
Ironically, these men stepped out moments before BCIG was honored with the state sportsmanship award. I have never found BCIG athletic events to be exclusive, but perhaps we ought to reassert what sort of behavior we want in our stands and what sort of behavior might as well just walk out.
