Students, keep things classy during games in Assembly Hall

I’ve heard much debate about the “Fuck you, ref” chant during Saturday’s basketball game against Connecticut. As in many aspects of your life, a useful question to ask is: “What would Bob Knight Do?” On this particular occasion, there’s not a doubt in my mind that Coach Knight, being the class act that he is, would grab a microphone and address the crowd. While Knight has joked that “fuck” is the most expressive word in the English language, I think even he would agree that this particular use is classless and unsportsmanlike. Whether you agree with me (or Coach Knight) is irrelevant. The mere fact that we should have been dealt a technical foul, giving UConn a free throw and the ball in a game we were desperately trying to claw our way back into, is reason enough to censor yourself. Beyond that, it reflects poorly on our school and sets a bad example for kids both at the game and watching on television. While I’m sure most kids have heard profane language before, it’s up to regular people like us to make sure such language isn’t portrayed to children as the norm. I’ve heard the “free speech” defense several times already, those of you arguing that position are absolutely right. This is a free country. However, free speech is one of the few tools we have that differentiate the class from the classless. As a native Hoosier, I realize there’s a lot of passion for our basketball program. I also realize the officiating Saturday afternoon was terrible and people sometimes lose sight of reality among the masses, but we must maintain some kind of order. The highlight of Hoosier fans Saturday should have been the countdown that sent a God-awful Connecticut shot hurling toward the basket fifteen seconds before the shot clock expired. That is why Indiana has the best fans in the nation. Unfortunately, it was quickly overshadowed by the unsportsmanlike chant that followed. Screaming obscenities and heckling Lance Stemler (who, I might add, played a large role in keeping us in that game) doesn’t help anyone. Support Lance, support your team and stay classy. Go Hoosiers.