Local programs aim to tackle bad sportsmanship
Local police and Liquor Control officials had their hands full at Autzen Stadium Saturday, with the University of Oregon's rivalry football game against the Washington Huskies.
One OLCC official told us they were staying pretty busy at Saturday's game, but law enforcement officials are not the only ones trying to keep control of fans in the stands.
"I've seen some rowdy stuff, but I've seen consistent spirit, win or lose," says junior Rob Morse. "We've got the best fans in the Pac-10, probably the best fans in the nation."
There's no question that game day at the University of Oregon has a party atmosphere, but even as The Duck pumps up the fans, the university is trying to make sure the party stays under control.
This is the first year of the UO Athletic Department's "Code of ConDUCKt," which uses webbed footprints and other signage to remind fans to be good sports.
The Athletic Department isn't the only University group that's tackling the conduct issue. In fact, there are some students here on campus who are taking sportsmanship into their own hands.
"I think it was important for the students to do something, so the public knew that it wasn't all of the students that were misbehaving," says senior Natalie Kinsey. "And that we were taking responsibility for our actions, kind of drawing attention to it ourselves, and addressing it on our level instead of having someone else come in and tell us what to do."
Kinsey is a member of the Athletic Department Finance Committee, the student group behind what they're calling a "classy fan bahavior campaign," combining signs in the stadium with ads in the Daily Emerald and other reminders.
But students we spoke with aren't so sure their peers are getting the message.
"When it gets physical, or people start throwing things, it usually has to do with...people being intoxicated," explains senior Phillip Jackson. "And I don't think people are going think about the little reminders from the Duck feet or the little reminders when you pick up your tickets."
In the end, students suggest, it comes down to individuals being repsonsible for their own behavior.
"I don't think the students are taking this seriously at all," explains sophomore Jayme Monroe. "I think it's a good idea, and the people who don't come drunk (to the games) think it's a good idea, but people who drink are going to drink anyway."
Even if the message isn't getting through to everyone, student leaders hope they can at least make some difference.
"I hope that they respect us a little more for it," Kinsey notes, "and not see us all as rowdy students. But there's just a few, and they kind of ruin it for the rest of us, but we're trying to stop that."
As part of the Athletic Department's Code of ConDUCKt, there's a phone line to call during the game with fan complaints.
Although the department wouldn't give out specific numbers of calls they've been getting, one official told us they get around ten calls per game.
One OLCC official told us they were staying pretty busy at Saturday's game, but law enforcement officials are not the only ones trying to keep control of fans in the stands.
"I've seen some rowdy stuff, but I've seen consistent spirit, win or lose," says junior Rob Morse. "We've got the best fans in the Pac-10, probably the best fans in the nation."
There's no question that game day at the University of Oregon has a party atmosphere, but even as The Duck pumps up the fans, the university is trying to make sure the party stays under control.
This is the first year of the UO Athletic Department's "Code of ConDUCKt," which uses webbed footprints and other signage to remind fans to be good sports.
The Athletic Department isn't the only University group that's tackling the conduct issue. In fact, there are some students here on campus who are taking sportsmanship into their own hands.
"I think it was important for the students to do something, so the public knew that it wasn't all of the students that were misbehaving," says senior Natalie Kinsey. "And that we were taking responsibility for our actions, kind of drawing attention to it ourselves, and addressing it on our level instead of having someone else come in and tell us what to do."
Kinsey is a member of the Athletic Department Finance Committee, the student group behind what they're calling a "classy fan bahavior campaign," combining signs in the stadium with ads in the Daily Emerald and other reminders.
But students we spoke with aren't so sure their peers are getting the message.
"When it gets physical, or people start throwing things, it usually has to do with...people being intoxicated," explains senior Phillip Jackson. "And I don't think people are going think about the little reminders from the Duck feet or the little reminders when you pick up your tickets."
In the end, students suggest, it comes down to individuals being repsonsible for their own behavior.
"I don't think the students are taking this seriously at all," explains sophomore Jayme Monroe. "I think it's a good idea, and the people who don't come drunk (to the games) think it's a good idea, but people who drink are going to drink anyway."
Even if the message isn't getting through to everyone, student leaders hope they can at least make some difference.
"I hope that they respect us a little more for it," Kinsey notes, "and not see us all as rowdy students. But there's just a few, and they kind of ruin it for the rest of us, but we're trying to stop that."
As part of the Athletic Department's Code of ConDUCKt, there's a phone line to call during the game with fan complaints.
Although the department wouldn't give out specific numbers of calls they've been getting, one official told us they get around ten calls per game.
