Security at MDIA Games

[Daniel Morris]

Just wanted to see how some teams with large fan followings handle keeping those fans in check during games.

Here in the PCLL, we are drawing larger and larger crowds, but asking the schools for added security resources can be a sore subject and met with hostility by the administration. Lately we have had issues with fans that routinely drink heavily on the sidelines and get fairly rowdy, resulting in seriously inappropriate behavior. Some examples I have witnessed are freshmen students throwing up in the bleachers, a fan throwing a full beer onto the field from the stands, and there were reports of students running onto the field during one of the recent games.

Lots of families and relatives come to the contests and we don't want them turned off by unruly fans, but we also don't want to turn our games into a police state and risk losing the growing student fanbase. I know as a student I loved going to football games (at other schools since BU didn't have football) and having some beers, but when is it going too far?

One school official felt it was the responsibility of the teams playing to control the fans, but as commissioner, I think they need to worry about the game first. Even if they did try to control what goes on in the stands, I think drunken and rowdy fans will only listen to so much before tuning it out, even if it is coming from their home team.

Ultimately, we are concerned that if we don't do something an accident or a fight or some other misfortune will be pinned on the league and the teams and we will be accused of condoning this type of behavior.

What do other teams do? How far are fans allowed to go where you play?

[benji]

Large fan followings? HAHAHAHA!

We're still trying to explain to people what, in fact, lacrosse actually is. We have some rather unruly fans, sometimes, but its never too bad. I guess if it got too bad we'd just have to call campus police.

[Campbell]

we actually had a truck with a loudspeaker show up at one of our games. It was pretty obvious they were fans of the visiting team and although they didn't say anything too bad, it was pretty annoying having that loudspeaker with the guy in the truck trying to call the game. Someone in the stands (I assume) called campus police and they removed them.

I would imagine having your school provide security or extra security would probably not go over well for money reasons, but I could definitely see campus police responding to any call or complaint you make. At least they do at our school, but maybe they just have nothing better to do.

[Brent Burns]

At least lacrosse is not big in Italy, we will not have to worry about flares being thrown on the field nor having a flare hitting a goalie on the shoulder. I read about that happening at a quarterfinal game in Milan, Italy where the game between Milan and AC Milan had to be called off due to fans throwing flares on the field. It is going to be interesting to see how the police in Turin, Italy will handle and watch the outfolding of the Juventus-Liverpool game tomorrow.

[TexOle]

I was watching the St. Thomas/NDSU game at Carleton last weekend and the streakers had me thinking "Oh deer." Now if only I had a rifle to shoot them for some dinner.

[laxfan25]

One school official felt it was the responsibility of the teams playing to control the fans, but as commissioner, I think they need to worry about the game first. Even if they did try to control what goes on in the stands, I think drunken and rowdy fans will only listen to so much before tuning it out, even if it is coming from their home team.

Ultimately, we are concerned that if we don't do something an accident or a fight or some other misfortune will be pinned on the league and the teams and we will be accused of condoning this type of behavior.

Sorry Daniel, but the school official was absolutely right - it is the responsibility of the coaches to control inappropriate behavior of fans. As rule 2-4 states "Coaches shall assist the officials in keeping the game under control. It shall be their duty, upon the request of an official, to control effectively actions of spectators not in conformity with standards of proper conduct."
They need to work in conjunction with the officials, who have their own responsibility, as defined in 2-7 "The officials shall have authority over the play of the game, with control
and jurisdiction over the timekeeper, scorer, players, substitutes, coaches
and anyone officially connected with either team, and spectators.
By sounding of the whistle, an official may suspend the play of the game
for any reason deemed necessary for the proper enforcement of the rules
or conduct of the game."

The official may choose to first approach a group of fans and let them know they are "out-of-bounds" with their behavior, and that further problems could result in penalties to their team. If they choose to ignore, the official will talk with the coach, the head coach most likely unless it is very obvious that the "fans" are with the visiting team, and ask him for help in getting control of the fans.
If that fails to enforce some discipline, a series of actions could be warranted - 30 sec. conduct fouls, 1 min. unsportsmanlikes, and in the event of a dangerous situation - suspension of the game. I've never had a situation get that far, but I have asked coaches to talk to their fans, almost always with success.

[Daniel Morris]

Sorry Daniel, but the school official was absolutely right - it is the responsibility of the coaches to control inappropriate behavior of fans. As rule 2-4 states "Coaches shall assist the officials in keeping the game under control. It shall be their duty, upon the request of an official, to control effectively actions of spectators not in conformity with standards of proper conduct."
They need to work in conjunction with the officials, who have their own responsibility, as defined in 2-7 "The officials shall have authority over the play of the game, with control
and jurisdiction over the timekeeper, scorer, players, substitutes, coaches
and anyone officially connected with either team, and spectators.
By sounding of the whistle, an official may suspend the play of the game
for any reason deemed necessary for the proper enforcement of the rules
or conduct of the game."

The official may choose to first approach a group of fans and let them know they are "out-of-bounds" with their behavior, and that further problems could result in penalties to their team. If they choose to ignore, the official will talk with the coach, the head coach most likely unless it is very obvious that the "fans" are with the visiting team, and ask him for help in getting control of the fans.
If that fails to enforce some discipline, a series of actions could be warranted - 30 sec. conduct fouls, 1 min. unsportsmanlikes, and in the event of a dangerous situation - suspension of the game. I've never had a situation get that far, but I have asked coaches to talk to their fans, almost always with success.

Now this is the sort of info I was looking for. Thanks LaxFan25. Incidentaly, BC was given a 30 second penalty for the fan who threw the beer can onto the field. But as for the heavy drinking and dangerous behavior by very, very young students, that doesn't impact the game, but an injury could really impact our league. Anyone have thoughts on controling that?

[Chris Larson]

I would think that if the contest takes place on University property and involves a University sponsored organization, the Administration would have a great interest in ensuring the safety of the participants and spectators.

When Baby Billy gets hit in the head with a bottle or Mommy is offended after she gets cursed out by a drunk fan, they're going to sue the entity with the deepest pockets - which ain't you and me buddy.

It is still in the team's best interest to work with the officials to nip these things in the bud, but ultimately I see a significant amount of responsibility lying with the University as well.

This is merely my opinion and has no actual basis in knowledge of the law.

[tamu33]

As an official, if I saw a fan throw any object, other than the ball, on the field, the game would be suspended until that fan was removed.

As for the drunken fans, I admit that I have participated in bringing out my couch and cooler to some of A&M's home games last year and to the LSA finals. I even came with a megaphone. The referees asked me politely to refrain from yelling heckling type material through the megaphone and I obliged. I know that as a player we always liked energetic fans and that is what I was trying to be. It sounds like those fans need to be talked to prior to their intoxication and give them a warning that unruly behavior will result in their suspension from the game and if further problems occur they could actually hurt the team they are trying to support. That should help out a bit.

[DG]

I would think that if the contest takes place on University property and involves a University sponsored organization, the Administration would have a great interest in ensuring the safety of the participants and spectators.
..........
It is still in the team's best interest to work with the officials to nip these things in the bud, but ultimately I see a significant amount of responsibility lying with the University as well.

Both of these are true. When you get parents who travel 2,000 miles to see their son play, get heckled for their religious beliefs, ask somone to be quiet, and then be told "F$^%$ You" it becomes a school issue. Especially if the game is being played in/on school sponsored facilities.

Most of the time, the school simply doesn't know what is going on. They should, but they don't.

The officials can only handle things that are happening on/near the field. Unless the fan brings a megaphone (Nice one, Tamu...I thought those were illegal per MDIA rules ) the refs have no way to assess what is going on in the stands 20 yards away. They have their hands full with the game itself.

another $0.02 from the peanut gallery...

DG

[Sonny]

Remember no flares allowed at the NSC in Blaine next month.



Inter-Milan match ends in chaos:
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2005/s ... ml?cnn=yes

[Danny Hogan]

that is a soccer player, he is faking

[laxfan25]

But as for the heavy drinking and dangerous behavior by very, very young students, that doesn't impact the game, but an injury could really impact our league. Anyone have thoughts on controling that?

If you know you have those kinds of issues, for all of the reasons the other posters have mentioned, you may want to have responsible representation in the stands to monitor behavior - someone with your best interests at heart. After all, Mom and Dad at the game are likely footing the bill for a portion of those lax dues!
Dealing with drunk, unruly fans is never pleasant, but has to be done. To not take action reflects very poorly on the institution, the team and the students. As we in the stripes like to say - "you only have one chance to make a first impression!" Make it a good one.

I love the excitement of a big game - fans that are into good play on the field and are more positive than negative with their comments. Regarding comments to opposing players, I'll let the fans yack, but as with obscenity, when it is too much - "I'll know it when I hear it".

[Danny Hogan]

I'll let the fans yack, but as with obscenity, when it is too much - "I'll know it when I hear it".

good heckling is based on wit, not obscenity. i agree.

[Sonny]

that is a soccer player, he is faking