The Cheering Section

We are spoiled to have family so close. We all try to attend at least one game a season that our cousins participate in. Sometimes this is tricky because we have five cousins that play basketball and most of the games are on Saturdays. Aunt K is awesome at showing support for our family. She had the clever idea of creating signs for J's Black belt ceremony.

But unfortunately as most sports families know, not all parents behave in the stands. Our family plays football, basketball, baseball, softball and karate. Most of our experiences have been positive. We've had great coaches, but sometimes it's that "one" parent out in the stands that makes the games uncomfortable.

Why are we heckling in the first place? This act doesn't make sense to me. Distracting someone from doing his or her best to win a game is a form of cheating. Not every game is the Super Bowl or National championship. Most games may not even be remembered 10 days from now or 10 years from now.  There is even a book released teaching people how to heckle.  Awards are given out for heckling. Heckling is a form of bulling. Some people bring up the old saying, "Sticks and stones may break my bones, but names will never hurt me."

So as parents what can we do to stop heckling in youth sports? Schools now days promote anti-bulling campaigns. This behavior is not tolerated in schools so why is it allowed in the sports arena? Thankfully the Utah High School Athletics program is taking a stand. At the beginning of each game fan behavior and athlete behavior is spelled out. They want everyone do "Do Rowdy Right."   Heckling isn't limited to players. Referees are also common targets. Nationally they are having a hard time finding people who are willing to work as referees out of fear of retaliation from upset parents. School Resource Officers help prevent fights at games and walk referees out to their cars.

Parents can set an example and cheer for good plays, and say positive remarks from the sidelines. Roy City has joined the battle to promote good sportsmanship before the kids get to high school. For the basketball 2017 season, Roy City sent an initiative to all players, parents, and coaches that each team would earn points for a sportsmanship award at the player appreciation night. Do we really need to be reward for doing something we should have been doing in the first place?

There are more ways to show that you are a dedicated fan than yelling at the other team. Wear your team shirts, join the cheerleaders in their cheers, and celebrate when something good happens. Heckling is a practice that needs to stop and it's up to each of us to change this habit.