Aggie sportsmanship needs improvement

By: Elise Wilding

Every time I attend one of Utah State’s sporting events, I am both shocked and repulsed by the way we behave as fans. Of course I want the Aggies to win, but that doesn’t mean yelling demeaning things at the other team in an attempt to make them perform badly.

Although these methods may occasionally be effective, they make us seem crude and disrespectful. Honestly, it’s embarrassing. As fans, we should have respect for the other team.

I’m not saying don’t cheer; I’m just saying that as fans we should try to build the confidence of our own players. When we cheer for others it creates a positive energy, but when we belittle others it just makes everyone mad.

When it comes to sports, I’ve been a player, a referee and a fan. As a player, I know that sometime referees make calls that we don’t like, and it’s frustrating.

As a referee, I also know that they are just doing the best they can to call the game fairly. And as fans, we can still express disappointment or frustration without being jerks about. Let’s face it, yelling at the refs or the other team that they’re “stupid” or they “suck” is just plain rude.

So come on, Aggies. You can still have fun at sporting events without demeaning the refs or the other team.

— wieldan@gmail.com