The AHS student section roars as they get rowdy with encouragement for the boys’ hockey team. While this can motivate the players, a controversial discussion has recently arisen among students, parents, faculty and the administration. Where do we cross the line between being supportive and chastising the opposing team? Students were concerned when AHS athletic director John Bangley recently increased security in an effort to end the taunting behavior in the student section.

Students blame Bangley for the reprimanding, but as athletic director, it is Bangley’s obligation to abide by the rules noted in the Colorado High School Activities Association (CHSAA) handbook. In section 3.4.5 of the Game Management and Sportsmanship Expectation Guide, CHSAA states that: “The host school has the responsibility to ensure that an event is governed in a manner that emphasizes the educational values inherent in interscholastic activities. It is the host school’s responsibility to remove any individual(s) creating a disturbance, which disrupt (s), the educational goals of the event.”

Because of this, Bangley and other authorities must address those who do not have the appropriate sportsmanship etiquette when watching a home game. This isn’t because they “enjoy” punishing kids, but because it is their duty not to tolerate such behavior. This behavior includes using artificial noisemakers, showing offensive signs, and individually targeting a player on the opposing team, while cursing.

“If I hear or see something that’s inappropriate, I’ll say something and if I have to come back for that same thing, then we will probably go out and have a talk about it,” Bangley said. “No one should take any of this personal because it’s not personal it’s just expectations that we have as spectators and expectations that CHSAA tells us we should control.”

Players were disappointed to hear that the crowd was being admonished for their bad sportsmanship. Hearing the crowd getting “hyped up” gives the players an even greater incentive to win. Varsity hockey player Jordan Cottrell strongly voiced his opinion as he appreciates the fans’ support.

“It’s always nice to have support, and when we see all of our friends and the people we spend our life with out there cheering for us and getting really amped to watch us play, it adds a lot of energy to the bench, and it motivates us to play. It gives us a purpose and someone to play for,” Cottrell said.

So while these cheers of excitement and pride are much appreciated, the hostility towards the opposing team isn’t necessary when the exact words can’t even be heard from the team bench. It’s the sight of fans standing and cheering with smiles on their faces and integrity in their voices that makes the players excited.

Senior Isabella Courtenay-Morris has been to every home hockey game this year, and she can easily be spotted dancing and cheering on the AHS boys. However, she acknowledges that there should be an end to all of the taunting.

“I’ve definitely seen an increase in everyone’s spirit this year, but at the same time, I think people need to find a good balance between being rowdy and school spirited,” Courtenay-Morris said.

Not only are there high schoolers in the stands, but there are also kids much younger. Elementary and middle school students can be seen in the crowd looking up to the older, more mature high schoolers. The example we set for them is one that will stick with them until their senior year. Several years from now, Aspen should not be the town every opposing school is scared to play.

There are many words to describe AHS, but many would agree that “offensive” is not one of them. However, according to Bangley, opposing teams fear coming to Aspen for games because of the vindictive ambiance they get from our student section.

“My AD peers on the Western Slope have told me that people don’t like coming to Aspen because of the way they behave. I understand that others treat us that way, but we shouldn’t justify how we behave based on what others do,” Bangley said. “We are Aspen and we do have standards that should be upheld.”