I am a recently new subscriber to this and this is my first post
so please bear with me. I have been reading the posts on the BGSU/OSU
hockey game and remarks on hecklers and I thought it was time to throw my
two cents in.
 
        Let me start by saying I was in attendence at the BGSU/OSU hockey
game and was seated next to the fan in question. I have sat beside him at
a great number of BGSU games this year. I have found that he is quite
knowledgeable about college hockey and that everyone seated in the
section in which he sits respects him greatly including myself. As for
the altercation after the BGSU/OSU game. There was quite a heated
exchange between said fan and OSU coach John Markell. This exchange
lasted for about 20 to 30 seconds in all. I was right beside the fan as
he was having his exchange with Mr. Markell. I can say (I know others
have said this before) that in no way did this fan use any type of
profanity AND he in no way spitted or attepmted to spit on Mr. Markell.
That type of behavior has no place in ANY level of athletic competition
in any sport. Have sit besides this fan for a number of games, I have
become used to his heckling. In most cases opposing players and coaches
ignore the comments being made towards them. This is the first time I
have personally seen players make a quick comment back or wave their
hand. And I can certainly say that I have never seen a coach respond in
the way that Mr. Markell did. I can understand that it was the end of a
hard-faught game and they had come out on the losing end and players and
coaches may not have been in the best of moods after the game. But in my
opinion it is no excuse to become involved with a heated yelling match
with a fan. Most coaches and players in the CCHA have enough class to
walk away and let it go and I think that is what Mr. Markell needs to do
in future situations. It is not easy for a team to go on the road in the
CCHA and win a game. The visting team has to expect a hostile environment
when they go on the road. That is part of the "home ice" advantage that a
team enjoys. Hecklers are just part of that home ice advantage. Hecklers
yell at the opponents players and coach to try to break their mental
concentration on the game. And the fan that I sit by at BGSU games just
doesn't yell at the opposing team. He does yell and encourage the Falcons
just as any (Falcon) fan should. And in no way does the fan in question
take credit for the team's win nor does he take credit for a goal scored.
That all has to do with actions that occur in the ice. Just as in any
other sports, you are going to find hecklers and there are part of the
sports world. Just thought that I would throw in my opinion about the
situation. Comments or concerns are welcome.
 
GO FALCONS!!!!!
 
Brian Ameling
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