Causing a free speech foul

What do Christina Aguilera and college basketball fans have in common? \nBoth like to get "Dirrty." \nThe cover story of the Feb. 6 edition of USA Today focused on the growing controversy surrounding foul language at college sports games. The issue: does the first amendment guarantee fans the right to shout obscenities at the opposing team? \nThe controversy hit a fever pitch two weeks ago after the Maryland-Duke game aired on TV. Students could be heard chanting various four-letter expletives in the background. The Maryland crowd dropped the f-bomb every time Duke Guard J.J. Redick hit the foul line. But Maryland, like several other schools, believes it is unable to reign in on the dirty talk because of the first amendment. Now they are seeking guidance from the Maryland attorney general. \n Last year, the Big Ten conference instated a new rule to curb the problem. Starting this year, all member schools will face penalties if student spectators taunt individuals on the opposing team. In other words, "Ken Lowe Sucks!" is not a legal student chant, but "Purdue Blows!" is still OK. First offenses result in a private warning to the offending school. Second offenses result in a public warning, and third offenses lead to a ban on all-student sections at the offending school. \nAnother potential solution is calling a technical foul on the offending teams' fans. The opposing team would then get two foul shots and possession of the ball. This might work in a case where physical objects are being lobbed on to the court (not that IU fans would ever commit such an atrocity), but when the offense is mere words, the slope gets slippery. It would give the fans the ability to take the game away from the players, which is a much greater tragedy than a little foul language.\nIt would also give hardcore fans the unique opportunity to do in an opposing team by dressing up and yelling obscenities in their opponent's colors. Imagine the chaos at the next IU vs. Purdue game if this were to happen.\nAny major regulation on crowd language would change the tradition of sports as we know it. Instead of the usual "Bullshit, Bullshit!" reaction to an official's decision, fans may be relegated to chanting, "Bad call, ref! Bad call, ref!" Underperforming teams may be subject to such discourteous taunts as, "Nah nah, hey hey, your play is sub-standard today!"\nWe hope this situation won't come down to a first amendment issue. No, naughty words shouldn't be broadcast into living rooms, but leave it up to to the TV station to turn down the volume. The noise at the game can go on. For the most part, fans have a right to cause a ruckus at a game. No one expects to watch a basketball game in a silent arena. As long as the cups and bottles stay in the stands, let the words fly.