Student fans barred from Wednesday's hockey game
By Kathryn Eident, Globe Correspondent
Needham High School Principal Paul Richards has told parents that students will not be allowed to attend the boys’ varsity hockey game against Framingham Wednesday because of rowdy behavior at a game over the weekend.
In an email sent to parents Tuesday, Richards said Needham fans at last Saturday’s game against Wellesley engaged in negative chants and heckled representatives from the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association.
“Needham’s student section chanted, ‘Wellesley….Wellesley…you suck’ several times,” Richards said. “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.
"Wednesday's game in Dedham will be closed to student fans, with the exception of Framingham students who have photo IDs and are cleared at the desk by a Framingham representative. Parents are still welcome to attend, but cannot escort or supervise their children at the event,'' he wrote.
"After speaking with student fan representatives, and personally apologizing to the hockey captains, I believe we can get back on track for Saturday's game against Natick. We are looking at this as a setback, or relapse, and not a disintegration of the good progress we have made,'' he wrote.
The Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association criticized Needham fans last year for poor sportsmanship at varsity hockey games, prompting Needham school officials to add more crowd monitors at games and new language to the student handbook.
The Needham hockey team, which has won its first six games, could also be forced to forfeit future games if the inappropriate behavior continues, Richards said.
“Leading up to this point, we have addressed individual behavior with the students involved,” Richards said. “In this case, however, there must be a consequence for the group-as-a-whole.”
Tuesday night, Needham superintendent Daniel Gutekanst said he supported Richards' decision.
"I absolutely support principal Richards' effort to ensure fan behavior is appropriate and demonstrate good sportsmanship, even if that means that students or adults are told they can not attend the game,'' Gutekanst said. "The vast majority of Needham high school students are good fans. There are a few bad actors. They just don't belong at our games with their boorish behavior. Tomorrow's game is unfortunate. All of the kids will pay a price for a few bad actors.''
The Needham High Principal's response is the latest crackdown on unruly student behavior in the area.
In September, Lincoln-Sudbury High's principal required students to bring a parent or guardian to football games after drinking at an earlier game. Westwood High also announced a crackdown last fall.
Accusations of underaged drinking have not surfaced in the Needham episodes.
To find out more, visit http://nhs.needham.k12.ma.us/sports_act/
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MIAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA
MIAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA
MIAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA
YOU S---.
For all those offended by "you s--k" chants, I don't suggest setting foot in the Mullins Center in Amherst, MA. You will be offended.
For all those Needham/Framhingham fans who heckled the MIAA reps, etc., you're welcome in the student section anytime. The more the merrier in keeping the Mullins Center one of the most intimidating places to place hockey.
Hopefully the Wellesley officials took the same measures regarding this event in this ongoing storied rivalry. That seems to have been overlooked in this article. Perhaps there is a tennis match somewhere tonight to keep the fans entertained in the meantime........
Speech codes? Liberals don't mine having rainbow flags in schools which offend many parents, students and some teachers..but that's OK. So I get it...
Offensive unhealthy behavior is OK in some respects. OK I get it...
Apparently, Mr. Richards has never been to a Red Sox/Yankees game!
Well, this is sort of a sad commentary on the nature of "sportsmanship" these days - for an example of how much that has changed - just look at the first two posts. I suppose it is hard to lay all of the blame with the kids - they learn it from their parents (just go to any professional sporting event for a demonstration - or any little league game...). But losing gracefully, doing your talking on the field or confining your comments to supporting your team all seem to have gone the way of the Dodo. Does anyone really believe that ignorant obnoxious fans really intimidate another team, especially a good one? It is just an excuse for bad behavior.
Needham kids are horribly rude and offensive to behave that way, especially to the hockey reps. Show some respect!!!! GUTTER KIDS.
You've got to be kidding. Even students accompanied by adults won't be allowed? The players siblings aren't allowed? I know people don't like the word, but suddenly "suck" is equivalent to swearing? "put your clipboards away" is intimidating to the MIAA observers? unbelievable.
This is pathetic. Some kids are actually doing something positive by showing school pride and now these boobs are reprimanding them because they are simply translating the chants they have grown up with at Red Sox, Patriots, Celtics and Bruins games to their High School team?
It was waaaay worse when I was in high school, when there were fights at hockey and football games all the time. I say maybe hire an extra cop in case things escalate and let the kids have fun! These kids aren't hurting anybody, and if anything they are upping the game atmosphere and level of play by showing support for their town and players.
Wow, that is terrible for the students, and to the principal, GROW UP. That is not bad at all, it is what I would expect from students. This has to be a joke, if it isn't then someone really dropped the ball.
In response to the childish heckling, the Wellesley students broke out with....
"It's alright ... it's OK ... you're gonna work for US someday!!"
"In September, Lincoln-Sudbury High's principal required students to bring a parent or guardian to football games after drinking at an earlier game. "
HUH? Was the principal was drinking at an earlier game? Students have to have a parent present if they are going to be drunk at a football game? I'm lost.
Good for Needham! We had the same problem in Woburn last year with the HS hockey team and Bob Norton stepped up to the plate and took a similar action. Until students learn how to properly conduct themselves at a HIGH SCHOOL event, repercussions like this will continue.
And, btw, i thought Needham was a strong school system filled with high acheiving students possessing a full vocabulary. That chant was the most clever, the most biting you all could think of? Disappointing....
I am a Needham resident disgusted by the behavior of our youth. Surely given what we pay in taxes one would expect the local children to have the breadth of education to be able to come up with a more creative and inspired chant than, 'Wellesley….Wellesley…you s@#k’
What is this world coming to? Now they won't let the kids have fun. Leave them alone. MIAA is now banning school spirit. And to the NeeDham kids.... NEEDHAM, NEEDHAM YOU RULE!!! KEEP IT UP.
I'm a Needham HS parent and I'm embarrassed by this behavior.
Thank you, Paul Richards, for showing no tolerance for this. There is no place for this anywhere.
The MIAA (Massive In-Your-Face Agenda Association) is vastly becoming an organization run by politically correct individuals who probably never set foot on a playing field, court or on the ice. Sports rivalries are as much a part of Massachusetts high school sports as homecoming and Thanksgiving football. True, there are a few "bad apples" out there that need to be weeded out but for the most part, games between rival towns attract a positive grouping of current and past students as well as bring in much needed dollars for high school sports programs that are strapped for cash. Some high school rivalries go back 50+ years with games that are still talked about long after the participants have graduated and represent a time when whole towns would come out to see a game. High School goes by in a blink of an eye and with all the bad things our kids can get into these days wouldn't it be better if we knew our kids were somewhere cheering on there classmates and continuing a tradition that there parents and grandparents may have been part off. There are much larger issues to worry about ... let the kids go to the game.
Wow two days and two more proofs that the MIAA has not idea how to administer high school sports. It is unreal! Let's make sure no one has chants that hurt peoples feelings!
What's next everyone getting trophies?
my son is an extremely talented athlete in 3 different sports. None of which is hockey. kids chanting you s*ck to adults in inappropriate. But so is professional athletes who make millions of dollars fist fighting on the ice. Hockey is a great sport that needs to clean up its act.
Um, Principal Richards, have you ever been to a hockey game, high school, college, or professional?
Taunting happens. It's hockey.
Ah, more drivel from the Nanny State, just the example our young people need. I would say if the game is not on school property, what right does the principal (spelled p-a-l because he's your pal) have to determine who can attend?
Having never lived in Wellesley, I can't say if they exhibit behavior akin to a four letter word for vacuum. Come to think of it, perhaps that's what the students should have yelled. "Wellesley vacuums. Wellesley vacuums." Then what would Principal Poop say at the pep rally, rah, rah, rah?
However, I can applaud the innocuous harassment of the MIAA reps, an organization that rarely if ever has the best interest of students in mind.
Does Needham principal have legal authority to prevent access to a public location? It is questionable. Also - what a terrible way to discipline the students. Lazy administration taking the easy way out - blanket approach to the problem. Instead, identify individual students responsible, and discipline them accordingly - disciplining the entire student body equally sends the wrong message to the innocent, robs them of any type of due process as well as their rights.
I thought the crowd nazis at Fenway were bad. It's freaking hockey game. Are they supposed to sit in the stands and sing praises to God?
This is ridiculous. The best part of High School Hockey is the intensity of the student bodies. I remember some classics like "Warm up the bus!" or "It's all over!". Perhaps the best of all chants is the slowed down "you suck" chant or my favorite the razzing "Civ" chant. Typical Suburban things to do.
it's about time! the fans and parents are the rudest people i have ever met.
i witnessed your dysfunctional behavior last year.( grow up.) and what the hell is wrong with the parents? doing a good job raising kids with no class!!!
So basically what they are saying is unless you modifty your behavior to thier terms you can't be one of them. If I were the students I would go and protest thier game and sue as a first amendment right.
This priniclpal should be fired.
I second umasshockey's comment. Suck, is not a swear and its a sporting event folks, loosen up. Having an intimidating crowd helps your team win and makes your arena a tough place for the opponent to come in and play. These high schools are getting out of control.
UMass is the best arena to watch a game because the fans are totally into the game. Thats what you want
it's too bad that people can't go watch a hockey game without thinking they have to participate.
Ahhhhhh, to be young.
I'd be interested to hear the chants these Bay State league schools have when Walpole comes into play hockey, basketball, etc.
And how is this different than the behavior of any other high school?
UMASSHOCKEY SOUNDS LIKE YOU GUYS ARE PROMOTING TROUBLE!
HOW OLD ARE YOU?. DO YOU TAKE THIS SPORT SERIOUS?
SOUNDS LIKE YOU HAVE ISSUES WITH NEEDING ATTENTION!
HEY HOW COME ALL YOU HAVE POSTED SO FAR IS THE TROUBLE MAKERS?
The MIAA needs to back off. The principal is not really the problem - he's just responding to MIAA pressure because he doesn't want the hockey players to be banned from the playoffs.
More importantly, those parents from other towns with "class" need to gain perspective. Their kids are the same brand - this is how teens behave, and part of the enjoyment of going to a game is being involved. Clearly "mo" doesn't have an interest/care in sports...
IN RESPONSE TO # 11 COMMENT!
YOU DESERVED IT NEEDHAM.
GOOD COMEBACK WELLESLEY--------AND SO TRUE
I never see anybody comment about budgets or other policies, but boy this is amazing. I wonder how much of this is a reaction to the issues around intramural hockey and parent behavior.
So, what are the guidelines? Have they been stated? Do you have examples of good behavior at a game? You are going to have reform all sport events. Will we need to teach this in school, do prep work...create the banners that are appropriate? This is a systemic problem. Saying you can't attend, doesn't change the problem. It is logical, but not effective, just read some the past emails.
Please don't generalize, Needham kids are pretty good kids.
To clarify a few things, MIAA is the governing body that is requiring Needham to control fan behavior. The principal and administration are trying to do that. The student fans are great kids. Some of their chants, however, have been deemed unacceptable by MIAA and that s being addressed by the Needham princiapl.
Once the school year is over, I suggest that the MIAA elicit feedback to develop a clear set of guidelines that every fan at every school understands so that there is consistency. As a head start, I offer the following suggestion of where the line might be drawn:
1. No profanity. If chanting you s*** is considered profanity, that is fine. Just be clear about it.
2. No singling out a player, official, coach etc. by making a chant about their name, physical appearance, action on the ice, etc. There is grey in this area so more discussion is required. For example, if someone commits a penalty, the fans should be able to chant "You can't do that." However, I don't think they should be allowed to say "[Name of player} can't do that."
3. No racial, politcal, gender, religious, or sexual orientation chants. In fairness, I've never heard chants crossing this line by any Needham fans.
Other chants that don't cross these lines should be permitted. For example:
Warm up the bus. should be ok
It's all over. should be ok
Let's go [name of team or player]. should be ok
You got jacked up. should be ok
Refering to the goalie as a sieve? should be ok, in my opinion, as long as they don't use his name.
A balance between respect and freedom of expression shouldn't be that hard to achieve if the MIAA works collaboratively with fans to set mutually acceptable standards.
Just to clarify, speaking as a Needham student, the entire Needham High School community was brought together by the hockey games. By imposing this ban and ridiculous bans on our behavior, the school has successfully ruined a great thing. We understand some regulations have to be put in place. I mean we can't flat out start yelling obscenities, however, we really don't do that. There are a select few drunk kids who will occasionally yell something inappropriatte but thats not an issue. The regulations the school put in place are too harsh. The word suck is not a swear, sieve-ing a goalie is not bad, we're not even allowed to have face paint. The boston globe and herald rated us the best fans in the state last year. We have tremendous school spirit. Its a stretch to say Needham kids are classless and rude, thats GENgeneralizing every
sorry my other comment got cut off and I lost my place. But the point was people are stereotyping all needham kids and labeling them as bad instead of looking at everything we do. We have the best school spirit in the state. Ask any player on the hockey team, they love the fans, because we are so supportive of them. We may be a little negative at times, but the good should be focused on. People are making the claim that our fans are not creative. Several other towns have copied our chants. As for the heckling the MIAA officials, that is hilarious. Picture the fans on probation, and we have enough balls to heckle the official. That is funny, it was meant as a joke. We're sorry that he has no sense of humor and was offended by "lose the clip board." Another classy thing our fans did: First game on probation, we decided to
decided to wear suits to the game. There were over 50 people dressed up in the stands, to show what great behavior we have. Its a joke, people need to relax and get a sense of humor. The sanctions on the fans are ridiculous, and the school has ruined a great thing Needham had going.
Things to do in Needham