A lot of talk has gone on recently regarding the problems of Camp Randall fans on football Saturdays this last season. The fans are too rowdy and abusive to visiting fans, critics say, and several incidents have occurred where opposing fans were threatened both physically and mentally or attacked in some way.
Chancellor John Wiley has been among the most vocal advocates of coming down on this problem. No one should deny that this is a serious issue, but all should be aware of the risk of taking drastic action so soon. Jeering opposing fans is a time-honored tradition, and Wiley is foolish to think we should get rid of that. Wiley is only doing what he believes best for the university, and should be credited for that much, but a crackdown on the language of college students is not feasible and breaking up the student section is analogous to using a shovel to kill a fly.
So the crusaders of the UW campus have brought forth a plan that will spearhead an attack against rabid fans. Less than two weeks ago members of Associated Students of Madison, the Alumni Association and a plethora of other organizations and both student newspapers met to discuss this problem and think of ideas to curb it. If you think Wiley is na??ve, wait until you hear what came out of this gathering.
The proposed solutions include brochures emphasizing positive sportsmanship, having football players speak to students before the game and warning the fans of the consequences of disruptive behavior. This meeting was a noble one, as is the one scheduled for Dec. 10, but nothing that came from it will be in any way effective. Though these proposed cures look good on paper, they are useless in practical application.
Students deserve more credit than this. It's ridiculous to say that someone who punches an Iowa fan or threatens the Boilermaker faithful is not aware they are committing an offense. There is a clear line between right and wrong in these cases, and the people who cross it are well aware of it. Brochures will be a joke and a football player is no better then any other student in regards to lecturing about proper behavior.
Which brings us to the topic of consequences. Will warning fans in Sections L through P before games curb the incidents? Well, does the threat of a large fine curb the use of fake IDs? If someone does not think they will be caught doing something, they will go ahead and do it, and vice versa. But before anyone gets too down, just remember: If there is a problem, someone else has almost definitely dealt with it and maybe come up with a solution.
The problem of fan behavior and violence, luckily for Wisconsin, has been successfully dealt with in a few cities with large fan bases. To keep fans from engaging in unruly behavior, all that needs to be done is to put it in their heads that the chances of them being caught are high. So how exactly do you convince Joe Belligerent to refrain from throwing glass at that Buckeye fan?
Cities have combatted the problem of violence on opposing fans by dressing their police officers in the opposing teams' apparel and announcing this before games. Next time a fan in Section P thinks of taking a Michigan fan's hat, the fear of that fan turning around and handcuffing them will act as a convincing deterrent. If a pack of drunken alumni (who are also to blame for the Regent Street incidents) decide to threaten some Northwestern fans, maybe that Wildcat sweater will be hiding a badge. Suddenly the risk is not worth the reward.
This system has been used and works. Fan violence will probably not vanish, but when 70,000 fans congregate for a heated Big Ten football game (and perhaps mix alcohol with the event) tensions will inevitably flare and unfortunate incidents will occur. As with anything, however, perfection should not be sought, just an effective strategy.
If Madison and the UW Police employ such a game plan for the 2004-'05 season, maybe fans, visitors and even Chancellor Wiley will all get what they want-the spirited, yet safe, atmosphere this school deserves.
