Pitarresi: Let's tone it down

This isn’t about Eric Devendorf, although he is central to the idea.

 

The other night, the Providence College fans gave the Syracuse University basketball guard the business in a big way during the Friars’ victory over the Orange.

 

One of the central themes to the catcalls was Devendorf’s suspension earlier this season for “allegedly” hitting or pushing a female student. Fair enough. Devendorf knows he is going to get roasted for that transgression every time he goes on the road. I don’t know if he is guilty of the accusation, but guilty of bad judgment in some way? Without question. Don’t put yourself in the situation. The kid already was a lightning rod because of his on-court demeanor – tattooed up, aggressive, mouthy, although not as mouthy as he once was – and the incident and suspension only made things worse. He made that bed, so fine.

 

The problem is the tone and nature of the catcalls, not just those directed at Devendorf, who I find to be a lot better personality than his image might suggest, but at players in general. Student sections at many college games have become mean-spirited and foul-mouthed way, way beyond the accepted bounds of civility. The students take pride in that. It can make attending or covering a game more than unpleasant. The stuff generally isn’t funny, and is often extremely politically incorrect and disrespectful.

 

The media sits right in front of the student section at SU games. I can tell you it is sometimes way too loud for older ears, but we can deal with that. Most of the time, believe it or not, if I am hearing things right, the students are tougher on their own players than on the opposition. Occasionally there is an inappropriate scream directed at an opposing player. I’d say, from what I hear, the SU students are in the minor leagues compared to a lot of crowds. I’m glad of that.

 

My point is, there is nothing wrong with cheering for your team or booing the opposition; the profane catcalls and personal attacks we can do without. Tiresome, boring, stupid, unattractive.

 

The two worst things that have happened to college sports and especially college basketball over the last 20 years or so are woofing on the court – which Devendorf and teammates Jonny Flynn and Paul Harris engage in way too much for my taste – and scurrilous language from fans. I’d be a lot happier if we got rid of both.