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Needham students told to sit out game

E-mail|Link|Comments (6) Posted by Chris Forsberg, Boston.com Staff January 7, 2009 06:40 AM

(Greg M. Cooper / Globe Photo)

If Mother Nature allows the Needham and Framingham boys' hockey teams to joust on the ice tonight, one side of the arena should be more empty than the other.

From today's Globe:

Needham High School principal Paul Richards told parents yesterday that students will not be allowed to attend the boys' varsity hockey game against Framingham today because of rowdiness by spectators at a game over the weekend.
In the latest crackdown on bad behavior at area school sports events, Richards said in an e-mail that Needham fans at Saturday's game against Wellesley yelled chants and heckled representatives from the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association who were there to observe fans because of an earlier incident.

"Needham's student section chanted, 'Wellesley . . . Wellesley . . . you [suck]' several times," Richards said in an e-mail to parents. "In addition, they chanted, 'Put your clipboards away,' to the MIAA reps who were there to observe our fan behavior."

"Not a good scene, to say the least," Richards wrote.

The Needham boys' hockey team is defending the state Division 1 championship and is 6-0 this year. The Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association criticized Needham fans last year for poor sportsmanship at varsity hockey games, prompting school officials to add more crowd monitors at games and amend the student handbook.

In his e-mail yesterday, Richards said fans had improved their behavior at recent games, but "unfortunately, we took a step backward at last Saturday's game against Wellesley."

He ordered what essentially is a one-day suspension for students who want to attend boys' hockey games: They are banned from tonight's game in Dedham, though Framingham students can attend. He indicated students will be able to attend the game against Natick on Saturday.

Last night, Needham coach Bill Giusti said the school wants to avoid getting into trouble with the MIAA.

"They're a great group of fans, and occasionally they cross over the line a little bit, but you know, it's high school hockey," he said. "Personally, I don't see them not being able to attend our games. But the people in charge - my athletic director, my principal - are preventing them from attending this game so that maybe it will keep them marching a little more in line so that this doesn't happen again."

Needham isn't the only school in the area to crack down on unruly student behavior at games.

In September, Lincoln-Sudbury's principal required students to bring a guardian to football games after underage drinking was reported at an earlier game.

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6 comments so far...

Honestly I think they had it coming. I have seen them a few times, mostly against Wellesley and I few they cross the line with their behavior a few to many times. Btw, it says they are playing Wellesley tonight at the top, but actually they are playing Framingham.

Posted by Rob January 7, 09 09:19 AM

Wellesley . . . Wellesley . . . you suck!!!

Posted by Needham January 7, 09 04:08 PM

Oh, for goodness sake - everybody take a deep breath.
Some kids yelled that the other team 'sucks'?
Heavens to Betsy - bet that's the first time THAT'S ever happened in the history of sport.
Hey, I've seen the Needham kids on multiple occasions and frankly, 95% of their cheers and chants are actually clever, imaginative and downright funny.
At last year's state tournament, their passion and enthusiasm really added to the tournament atmosphere.
The MIAA has better things to do - or at least they should.
Go Needham.

Posted by John January 8, 09 04:33 PM

Bill Guisti, coach of Needham hockey, is a complete gentlemen. He will take care of his fans and secure another state title.

Posted by Mountain Man January 9, 09 10:33 AM

........how can anyone hear what there saying? the acoustics of that rink are so bad.

Posted by how? January 10, 09 09:59 AM

I know that most of the teams that play again Needham in hockey truly appreciate the crowd that comes to see the game. Most team have to beg their friends to come to a cold rink on a Saturday to see them play. These fans are just supporting their team.

Posted by KK January 12, 09 09:35 AM

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