The Peru Gazette

Local schools are in the midst of playoffs, so it seems like a good time to talk about school spirit and sportsmanship — and how the two can sometimes collide. We got thinking about the idea after receiving a letter from Plattsburgh resident Robin Van Weort, who was upset about something she and her husband witnessed at a Section VII ice hockey championship game where Plattsburgh High School played Northeastern Clinton Central School.

Van Weort noted that at the start of every high school game, a statement is read about how attending is a privilege that comes with responsibility.

“It is our responsibly to conduct ourselves in a respectful manner,” she said in regard to fans.

So she described what she saw at this particular game as “a very disrespectful and disgusting display of sportsmanship.”

The crowds cheered as the teams skated onto the ice. After warmups, it was time to introduce starting lineups.

“They were set to announce NCCS’s lineup first,” wrote Van Weort, whose children do not attend either school.

“It was at this time that the entire PHS student body that was all together stood up and turned their backs to the ice. They continued to stand with their backs to the ice for the entire announcement of NCCS’s players.”

Van Weort said she was shocked that “the parents, teachers, and administration of PHS students would not just allow but condone this type of disrespect.

“Is this what our world has come to?” she asked. “Can we not even go to high school athletic events without having our children now disrespecting other human beings?”

In light of violence and school shootings, Van Weort said, “it is time for us as adults to step up and get back to teaching our children what is right and what is wrong.”

She hoped PHS administrators “will inform the student body that such behavior and disrespect will not be tolerated and teach them how they should represent their school.”

Press-Republican sports writers confirmed that they have seen this kind of action, meant by fans to show school spirit, at games and even experienced it themselves as players.

We contacted Plattsburgh School Superintendent Jay LeBrun, who was at the PHS-NCCS game.

He said students turning their backs during introduction of the other team’s players “is a very common display amongst both high school and college student fan sections – wherein they show disinterest in the other team… often by pretending to read a newspaper or scroll through their phones.

“I’m quite certain that this expression is rooted in school pride and school spirit, rather than in intended disrespect to the opponent,” said LeBrun, who said that, in that spirit, he hasn’t been offended either personally or on behalf of the district.

“I think it also merits note that, immediately following the player introductions, those same students stood with complete reverence and respect for the playing of the national anthem.”

He said school administrators did “appropriately intervene on a couple of occasions throughout the game when such was warranted (ie. students standing on their seats).”

As for any ties to school violence, “I would counter that an engaged, unified student body is actually much more effective in ensuring a safe school climate,” LeBrun said.

“Student violence is typically rooted in student isolation and lack of engagement/belonging — not in interschool rivalries.”

He brought the concern to the Athletic Department leadership and said they would “apprise members of our student body of this view, so that they may consider this perspective moving forward.

“Above all, I have found our Hornets to be bright, mature, respectful students – as impressive a collection of young adults as exists. We expect a great deal from them, and they rarely disappoint,” LeBrun said.

So is it disrespect or school spirit?

The Press-Republican is interested in hearing what our readers think. Email letters@pressrepublican.com or respond to the question posted at facebook.com/ pressrepublican.