Students activities director Joe Swarm comments on Mob behavior at football games.
How has the Mob acted in the past?
Prior to last year, our students would cheer for Marshall and not against individuals from other teams. Our student body has always taken a strong stance against bullying, and it was shocking to hear some of the verbal comments made against individuals last year. As an alumni and current administrator, I am hoping that last year was [an] anomaly with regard to behavior in our student sections.
Is the crowd behavior problem specific to Marshall?
This was a national issue from all that I have heard and read, but we have always taken the high road here, so I was shocked. We have always carried ourselves the “right way” regardless if fans from other schools are not. Everyone always hears about Statesmen Pride and historically have witnessed it at our athletic events. Hate is a terrible thing and student athletes from other schools have the same struggles as the rest of us. We all deserve to be treated with dignity and respect.
Are things different his year?
It’s still early, but it seems our student body is back to the respectable group: loud for the Statesmen and not picking on individuals on the opponent’s team. This year… I would not say there are regulations, but maybe clearer communication as to how we have all
historically acted at athletic events. We placed our posters on sportsmanship, and if administrators spot strong positive behavior at athletic events they can provide a ticket for a t-shirt out of our office.
