Thanks to Reed Munson, the sieve chant has been the subject of way too much
discussion on this mailing list.  I would hope that there are a couple
observations and editorials that I could make which would bring this
discussion to a close (...please!):
 
1.  Since some posts from eastern schools do not understand, the "sieve"
chant *is* commonly done at many schools.  However, Wisconsin fans take it to
another level.  The chant is very orchestrated and performed in unison with
the band.  The sieve chant is a part of a canned routine of chants that are
prompted at various points in the game.  It can be very intense, and it is
this intensity which is equated with "unsportsmanship."  Since this
particular chant is done without bias and on all goals, I fail to see where
sportsmanship even enters into this.  As was related earlier on this board,
even the ex-Wisconsin goalie, Marc Behrend, was sieved when he played against
Wisconsin as part of the U.S. Olympic Team.  I call it part of home ice
advantage.
 
2.  The comments by smkpuck giving credit to Wisconsin fans as being
knowledgeable and discriminating in their cheers is appreciated and, I
believe, accurate.  In fact, whereas I see many fans in other arenas cheering
on fights (read "unsportsmanship"), Wisconsin fans will actually boo a fight,
as if to say "hey, stop that.  You can't do that."
 
3.  I'm tired of Wisconsin fans taking abuse for cheering against Minnesota.
We paid for our tix and we can do what we like.  I'm sure that Michigan fans
just love Michigan State (and vice versa), that BU fans just love BC (and
vice versa), etc.  Minnesota and Wisconsin have a very intense rivalry and
Minnesota just loves to trump up the fact that we have had trouble beating
them of late.  Minnesota fans have not always been the most hospitable of
hosts to Wisconsin themselves.  You reap what you sow.  Get over it, folks.
Think about your next opponent, not your last.
 
4.  Wisconsin fans have been doing an orchestrated sieve chant on the order
of at least 15 years, probably 20.  They have been doing an unorchestrated
sieve chant for at least 25 years.  Why all this discussion now?  Let it
rest.  We're gonna just keep doing it, and louder yet.  Who cares what you
think?
 
5.  And now back to SIEVE-L.  For those of you that have been on this list
for a while, this harkens back to a discussion last fall, BUD-L, about the
use of the Bud song by the Wisconsin fans.  Why are you guys so pre-occupied
with Wisconsin fans, anyway?  Are you the least bit envious?
 
6.  Is there a tournament or something going on now?