In search of a little old-school respect
Maybe the events that unfolded around Saturday night's playoff game between Fremd and Glenbard North football teams could have occurred with any two suburban high schools. Maybe not. Clearly, the conduct of some students in this case does not reflect the character of either student body as a whole.
Nonetheless, the conduct of some students after the game -- and, as it turns out, in the days before the game -- leaves a sour taste that fortunately has some administrators and students looking in the mirror and resolving to make changes.
The basic outline of events is that after Glenbard North upset the higher-seeded Fremd team, some Glenbard students poured onto the field and made their way to Fremd's side, where they taunted Viking players and fans. Reports of stolen Fremd gear also are being investigated.
Under heavy criticism, Glenbard North students fired back that they simply wanted to take a victory lap, that some Fremd fans hurled water bottles at them and that Fremd students had created bad blood days earlier with online taunts, including remarks making light of a popular Glenbard North teacher's death.
Where to begin in assessing damage and preventing any recurrence?
For openers, it's hard to fathom the mind-set of anyone who would make fun of a teacher's death and find such barbs to be an acceptable element of sports trash talk. At this late date, parents and educators may find quaint the idea of preaching to students the value of basic respect. But apparently the need for such lectures remains. Moreover, while parents and educators cannot monitor all of students' online postings, they do need to be alert and ready to intervene if they get wind of trouble brewing in this popular teen communication venue.
As for the post-game fracas, taking a victory lap past the defeated team and its fans is on its face a bad idea. But when adolescents get caught up in the moment, it's up to the adults in charge to step in. That Glenbard North officials and security failed to do so -- even when, by some accounts, the confrontation escalated to swearing and shoving -- is an indictment of their preparation and response.
The Illinois High School Association continues to investigate. Its decision to let Glenbard North play its next playoff game is correct. Panther athletes should not be penalized for the conduct of some fans. Appropriately, IHSA officials are still weighing other sanctions -- maybe taking a home game away from Glenbard North next season should be among them.
Glenbard North administrators and some students have sent letters of apology to Fremd. That's a welcome step, one worth copying for any Fremd students involved in online taunting.
High school sports often bring out the best in teens and communities. This exception serves as a reminder that those benefits don't accrue automatically; they require a commitment to fair play and respect as the norm -- every time.