Students need to keep rivalry respectable
It was disgusting how Nevada and University of Nevada, Las Vegas fans acted at Saturday’s rivalry game.
The constant fights and obscenities at Saturday’s game did a disservice to both universities. The trash covering the tailgating area was disrespectful to our state.
Fans couldn’t even make it through the national anthem without breaking into a “Fuck the…” chant.
We, as Nevadans, are better than that.
While Rebels fans outnumbered Nevada fans by a conservative four-to-one, that doesn’t give the overall poor performance by either side an excuse.
Granted, it is a rivalry game and both sides get feisty. We support that – a rivalry is only fun with jabs at the other side. But those jabs shouldn’t turn to punches and kicks or stadium-wide, expletive-riddled chants.
Blaming the Rebel fans for all the transgressions won’t work either – those same chants happened while Nevada played an excellent game against Texas Tech just a few weeks ago.
It doesn’t hold weight to say that UNLV fans started all of the fights and all of the chants either. To bleed Silver and Blue means to be better than the other side in everything, conduct included.
Student body president Eli Reilly got this philosophy right at the game. When anti-UNLV chants started in the Nevada section, Reilly and Co. would yell pro-Wolf Pack slogans and chants louder than the obscenities.
Overall, it was better this time around than it was even in 2006. As one Sagebrush staffer described it, “you couldn’t go to a vending machine without getting into six fights.”
The police at this year’s game said the same: it was far better than in years past. There were fewer fights and no reported injuries, according to preliminary reports by University of Nevada, Reno police, UNLV police and Las Vegas Metro police.
There were also 80 officers at the game, twice that of normal UNLV games. It is sad that Nevada students have such a reputation.
Some officers were on horseback for the added intimidation and crowd control factors. Others flared their lights at the tailgate to announce their presence. More acted swiftly to stop fights when fans would invade the other side’s section to rile things up.
We commend them for pulling it off in such a hectic environment.
We need to imagine how much sweeter victory would be if those in Nevada blue were not the ones acting like animals – that would be a victory on the field and for the students as a whole.
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September 30th, 2008 at 6:40 pm
This is not news. Every single year, fans are denounced for their despicable behavior at none other than a heated rivalry game.
Come off your righteous cloud.
I am sorry but the “Fuck the Rebels” chant is part of the tradition, as are the scuffles. Fans get excited, possibly a little tipsy, and enjoy the adversarial environment.
October 1st, 2008 at 12:17 am
A football game should be enjoyed in fun and given a chance for all who attend to watch and enjoy it peacefully and without worry.
If you want to get a little tipsy or brawl, then go to a bar. If the trend had continued, then I am sure the crowd (other than the college kids) would start to dwindle - costing both schools more than they think.
October 1st, 2008 at 11:51 pm
Double props to ASUN and CO. for keeping things upbeat.
Props to the NEVADA fans who didn’t burn down the scoreboard for listing us as UNR
Triple props to the blue partying with the red at the tailgate. Of course there were fights, there are fights at any and every sporting event, but it was amazing to see people getting along from both sides and having a good time.
October 2nd, 2008 at 2:02 am
So… how’s the weather up there on your high horse?
This is the fourth time I’ve attended a game in the student section and personally I’m getting sick of the Sagebrush bashing fans with heart.
If so many Nevada fans can get to Sam Boyd 6 hours before the game in the sweltering heat to support the team from start to finish, then they deserve to be a little rowdy.
While I’m not saying fights are a good idea, UNLV fans are amongst the most obnoxious of the bunch, considering they think they live in the mecca of all civilization. They need to be put in their place.
And what about the group of Pack fans in the Nevada sideline section who sang “Hail To Our Sturdy Team” every time Blue and Silver put points on the board? Better question: How many Nevada students can say they know the fight song? I’m sure half the Sagebrush staff can’t.
FUCK THE REBELS
FUCK NEVADA SOUTHERN
N-E-V-A-D-A! NEVADA