I've pretty much stayed out of this one (esp. considering that the goaltender
I root for will be the target of the SIEVE chant tomorrow night), but some-
thing just came over that I thought I should respond to (it pertains to some
discussions we had on the list earlier, sometime in February):
 
>Maybe it was wrong to rub it in after they won, but I'm sure Wisconsin
>fans aren't the only ones.  I don't think you can tell a fan what to do
>or how to act, They paid for their ticket and can act as they please as
>long as they don't throw objects on the ice.
 
You may not be able to tell a fan what they should do or how they should
act, but it is certainly not the case that fans can act as they please as
long as they don't throw things on the ice.  Universities, being in a
sense large corporations, are subjected to the same kind of lawsuits that
other large corporations are, for damages resulting from neglect, etc.  Thus
they can limit or prohibit certain activities that go on in the stands.  For
instance, some universities prohibit standing on the seats, whereas some fans
may feel they are justified in doing so.  I'm personally one who would like
to see banging on the glass prohibited in all arenas.  Abusive language,
directed at players, coaches, other fans, etc. can be limited since it inter-
feres with others' ability to watch and/or play the game.  (Much of that is
up to the discretion of the university.)
 
While I have no problem with the SIEVE chant (hell, we hear something similar
from the Michigan fans all the time, along with the C-YA line, while MSU fans
do the UGLY chant and others), there is a definite limit to what fans can and/
or should be allowed to do in the stands.  Don't get the idea that because
you bought the ticket, you can do whatever you want in the stands, as long as
you don't throw anything on the ice.  Most institutions, both pro and college,
would be none too quick to remind you otherwise.
 
G. M. Finniss
Michigan State University 17-7-3, 25-11-3
WVU '87, UTenn '92, MSU who the hell knows when?
 
Yes, I'm still taking entries for the NC$$ Tournament Contest.  I should also
have the results of the Conference Tournament Contest out on Friday.  (The
number of entries for the NC$$ Tournament Contest is approaching 100.)