You've got to be kidding! Yes, fans go over the line when they chant obscenities or go after people's personal lives, but to even suggest that the home court advantage needs to be "toned down" a little bit by moving the kids further from the court? If anything, colleges everywhere should expand student sections near the court at the expense of alumni. It's not just more fun to watch a game when the crowd's going crazy, it's also much more fun to play.
— Spencer, Austin, Texas

I have a ticket to the UConn-Miami game Sunday. On the back of the ticket is a statement — "This ticket is ... considered a revocable license, which may be withdrawn, and admission refused anytime." Such statements are standard on all tickets to games, concerts, plays, etc. Management should be more vigorous in its enforcement. In other words, "You don't behave, you are OUTTAHERE!"
— David Cole, Norwalk, Conn.

I enjoy seeing the crazy college students at games, all dressed and painted up. They do add not only the game, but the entertainment. However, I believe they should show some restraint and respect in some areas. If a guy shoots an airball, dribbles off his own foot, bricks a freethrow or something like that, let him hear it, by all means. If you want to make fun of his talent, or lack of it, his haircut, his socks, etc. — go for it. Just leave his mom, dad, sister, brother, girlfriend out of the harrassment. You can show plenty of spirit and enthusiasm without getting personal.
— Michael, Demopolis, Ala.

Next you'll be wanting the Bleacher Creatures (Yankees Fans) or Gang Green (Jets Fans) to be more reserved. Sports is competition and passion, if you can't make a free throw then sit on the bench. This isn't tennis.
— Pete, Queens, N.Y.

There is such a meanness to the supposed "cheering" from the student sections. What are we teaching these young people about human decency when this is so prevalent. Is the idea victory and spare no costs? It detracts from the game.
— Helen Hummel, Oakland, Iowa

College fans are the essence of team support. Unfortunately they take advantage of their situation and even go as far as to belittle and embarrass opposing teams. These are kids who could not make it as basketball players thus they need to feel as if they contribute something to the game to boost their ego.
— Gary Cooper, Charlotte, N.C.

When fans get obscene or rude then something needs to be done. Overall though, I think it's good for the game. This is college basketball, the students should have all the courtside seats over the corporate big wigs who simply have the money to pay for them. The game belongs to the students and it's great to see them showing school spirit. With the stress of college life it allows them to let it all out and be a little crazy. As long it is not offensive, the dressing up,face painting and getting loud just makes it more entertaining for all of us. They should be a bigger part of the game. College sports should be for college kids.
— Pete Tomlinson, Seymour, Conn.

I think you are wrong. Vulgar chants and physical interference with the games is unacceptable, however, loud, cheering arenas, like the RAC at Rutgers, are part of the game. Just like the cold at Lambeau Field. Should Green Bay be forced to put a bubble over the stadium to be fair to the Cardinals? How about all of the trash talking at the line? Should opposing players be forced to be quiet at the line so the shooter can concentrate? There is no room for vulgarity and disrespect. Positive chants of "RU RU" and "Defense Defense" and "Airball Airball" is what should be encouraged.
— Mike, Somerville, N.J.

No, I don't think so. We have to remember the mindset of a college student. They're young, crazy and quite a few of them are intoxicated, but all of them are into it. Rowdy and unruly behavior is a part of college, not to mention a part of the student sections at a basketball stadium. If the Cameron Crazies or the Twerps make your team choke because they don have the concentration or the skill to overcome it, so be it. There is a line that is crossed occasionally, but it isn't very often. Basically what I'm trying to say in a nutshell is that the noise, spectacle and ferocity of the game today is here to stay as long as there are bored college students with nothing better to do than to paint themselves blue and jump up and down screaming during a hostile possession. Personally I think its a bit more entertaining to see a crowd being visibly and audibly excited about the game than sitting politely and quietly clapping their hands when their side scores. Lets just be thankful that college basketball isn't like that.
— Franklin Adams, Orlando

Few chances are given to the fans of college basketball to show support for their team or players throughout the year. (What I mean is, very few home games.) I admit that sometimes it can get a bit loud, but that's what we commonly refer to as the "Home Court Advantage". It's a mechanism that has been developed over the years to pump up our favorite teams as well as players and to demoralize the opponents or to stop a scoring spurt. I am in favor of this activity as long as it does not get abusive or vulgar.
— Don Medley, Berlin, Md.

Absolutely not! The whole reason for going to a college game is to not only see good basketball, but also to watch crazy and fun fans. People want to see Duke, Maryland, GT fans get rowdy. ... No one wants to come to a quiet gym, not even the away team!
— Susan Schramka, Milwaukee

I think that the fans and players alike are incensed to be unruly and rowdy by the media covering the game with sideline cameras, etc. The cameras move instinctively to any situation where a commotion is taking place. The fans know that if they are really obnoxious they have a greater chance of being on TV than fans that behave. Players that act unrational have a chance of making it on a video game if their action is bad enough or at the least on the highlight film. Also I wonder why the sportscasters find it necessary to converse in such a loud voice now. The really quality guys and gals that announced games in the past didn't find this necessary. It is one thing to be excited and another to just try to outyell the other announcer. I think that Dick Vitale is the instigator of this style of announcing. I find it better if I turn down the volume and just watch the game.
— Randy Campbell, Great Fall, S.C.

I love basketball, and particularly college basketball, and yes, fans are becoming too unruly. Fans can create a home court advantage for their team without terrorizing the opposing team. Coaches need to take the same kind of initiative as Gary Williams to clean up the game. They are the only ones fans are going to listen to. But as we all know, it's all about money. Winning your conference and getting into the "Tournament" can mean big bucks for your school, your program, and your contract. It's time for the NCAA to step in and do something, before someone gets seriously injured. The game is too good for that.
— Richard Smith, Harrison City, Pa.

I'm guessing that Glier has never been to a big game at Cameron Indoor Arena. It is much more that a game, it's an experience, something that should be on every real sports fan's top ten "gotta do" list. I was cheering for the opposition, but I was totally caught up in the environment. It starts an hour and a half before the game and doesn't quit until after the final buzzer. And to Glier's point, the quality of the game is as good as it gets. Nothing beats it!
— Mike Burnham, Glendale, Ohio

Yes, as a basketball official, I have observed an increase in not only the intensity of the game on the court, but the unruly behavior of fans in the stands over the past ten years. It seems to increase for the worse as each year goes by. Do we really want to get into situations where someday the good fans, the TV cameras, the hecklers, the cheerleaders, the bands, etc., are not allowed in the gym? I see it coming if some form of crowd control is not only initiated at the college level but also at the high school level. This of course will never happen, because all college sports is about anymore is the financial gains colleges receive at the end of the season for sold-out arenas no matter what the cost!
— Larry Sare, Riverton, Wyo.

A part of what makes college basketball special is the intensity of the fans. The crowds are great, and the players feed off of the excitement of playing in front of that type of an atmosphere. I, for one, do not believe that poor free throw shooting has anything to do with people waving towels, or balloons, or yelling for that matter should break the concentration of a good free throw shooter. Do the fans get out of hand sometimes? Of course, but you get that on any level of play. I also feel it is up to the officials to keep that under control. If these guys want to be ready for the NBA or basketball on a higher level, they need to block that out and continue to play the game.
— Janice Jones, Orlando, Fla.

I agree with you in some aspects, especially when it comes to the types of chants and things that are being said. I'm part of the Izzone, and on occasion, I have heard some pretty un-sportsmanlike chants, such as those that involve cursing at the refs and making fun of players off-court issues and their families. However, it should be up to those individuals leading the student sections to make sure things do not get out of hand. For instance, I just received an e-mail from the Izzone committee about the up and coming Iowa game: it stated that chants that involved cursing at the refs, and chants that poked fun at Pierre Pierce's off-court issues, will not be tolerated. These requests were made by Tom Izzo himself. This is what needs to happen more, because as students, we represent our university. As far as moving the students away from the court, that is absolutely idiotic. Students are the backbone and bring the most enthusiasm to games. Students make home court advantage mean something. If some opposing team comes into your house, you have to let them know it's not going to be easy. What...was your seat overtaken by some student section at your favorite arena, so now you feel the need to vent over your lost lower-bowl seat? Sorry bout it.
— Jesse Page, East Lansing, Mich.

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