MU fan conduct examined
Published Nov. 2, 2007
Members of the MU Faculty Council questioned athletic department officials on issues including student athletes and fan conduct at football games during a council meeting on Thursday.
"We have made pretty good progress relative to appropriate fan behavior in some areas," Athletics Director Mike Alden said. "But there is no question that we have a long way to go, just like many other people do in our industry."
This problem is not limited to just students, Alden said.
"We have 55-year-old knuckleheads just like we have 15-year-old knuckleheads," he said.
Alden said the best way to improve in this area is through enforcement and education outreach, such as video messages.
Student athletes are also being used to model good sportsmanship and conduct at games. Alden said an example of this is when members of the football team will go over to the student section after a game to thank them for attending.
"It's amazing what that's done as far as keeping people off the field and trying to show a way that we can celebrate appropriately and not inappropriately," Alden said.
Another way student athletes and staff learn to model good behavior is through required training from The Shelter, an organization that provides services to victims of domestic violence and sexual assault. Student athletes also do volunteer work for The Shelter.
"That is one of the things that is listed as one of our priorities that people involved with Mizzou athletics do not engage in mental, physical, emotional abuse of others," Associate Athletic Director Sarah Reesman said.
Reesman said the relationship between The Shelter and the Athletic Department is unique.
"I would not say that this kind of relationship is common," Reesman said. "I think of a lot of institutions have education and programming provided on this topic, but I am not aware of another relationship of this kind with an entity like The Shelter."
Alden said he believes his department's work to educate people about stadium conduct is carrying over into pre-game activities and tailgates. The increase in attendance at games is also causing some issues before the game, especially related to parking.
"It presents challenges of where people are going to park, and it also presents challenges of how they are going to act where they're parking," Alden said.
Alden said people have snuck into a parking lot with a pass that was already used by another car to get into that lot.
"We have found that people have been very creative as far as getting into the lot and then perhaps sneaking the pass out to other people," Alden said.
The athletic department is planning to do an analysis of parking and traffic flow at all sporting events after the conclusion of the season.
The increase in attendance at football games has also caused problems related to the availability of restroom facilities in the parking lots.
"We have a lot of port-a-potties, but we need more port-a-potties," Alden said. "You'll see us expand our restroom facilities significantly next year."