Don't penalize all for conduct of few

"Bottom line: Fans ought to be in the stands" says that all schools (should) prohibit fans from being allowed on playing fields after games because of the incident at the Fremd vs. Glenbard North football playoff game.

Mr. Maciaszek should re-title his column to "Bottom line: Fremd and Glenbard North fans ought to be in the stands."

Mr. Maciaszek's easy solution is the standard response of "Let's punish everyone for the poor behavior of a few." He suggests making all schools accountable for the misconduct of Fremd and Glenbard North fans.

Guess what? Many high schools allow fans on the playing field post game and never have misconduct issues! Lake Zurich High School is one excellent example.

Lake Zurich High School allows parents, grandparents, friends and students on the playing field to congratulate the football team after every home game, and visiting games when possible.

Win or lose, these fans patiently wait in the end zone until the coaches finish their post game talk and the players are walking off the field. The fans congratulate the players, shake hands, give pats on the back, hugs, and take photographs. It is a tasteful, classy tradition both players and fans enjoy and anticipate after each game.

For eight years I have participated in this tradition at Lake Zurich, on the field, and there has never been a fan misconduct incident.

Individuals who make poor choices in their actions need to be held accountable. Not everyone else! In the Fremd vs. Glenbard North game, accountability resides with those students who participated in the misconduct, and those parents and school administrators who did not control it. It's not the easy way, but the right way.

That, Mr. Maciaszek, is the real "Bottom Line."

Brian Janus

Deer Park