Traditional game day cheer to be phased out
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For the first time in more than three decades, “Hockey Cheer” is gone from the Spartan Marching Band’s song sheet.
Traditionally a fixture in its pregame show and on third downs during football games, the band did not play the cheer during this past week’s pregame show, but it did play it sparingly in the game. After hearing another vulgar response from the students, both the Athletic Department and band decided to nix the cheer.
“Our responsibility is to control the environment for everyone in Spartan Stadium the best we can,” MSU Athletics Director Mark Hollis said. “And that kind of chant we want to back off of, let it rest for a while and try to create more of a positive atmosphere.”
“Hockey Cheer” debuted in 1975 with the opening of Munn Ice Arena, but eventually crossed over to other sports. In the cheer, fans usually chant “Let’s go State!” in unison with the last three beats, but in past years, the student section has added, “F—- (opponent)” before that line.
John T. Madden, in his 20th year as director of the Spartan Marching Band, said he believes many students feel the same way about the vulgar language.
“I don’t think the majority of the students like it. I think the majority of the students would say enough is enough,” Madden said. “I agree with the others that talk about freedom of speech and that people can say what they want to say, but they have to realize who they represent. There comes a great privilege in being a Michigan State student, and one needs to represent the institution with as much integrity as they can.”
Those students who don’t mind the vulgarity say that even without “Hockey Cheer,” the section still will find a way to keep swearing in the game day experience.
“I think every college university I know of has it, and I think it just shows the spirit we have,” human biology sophomore Avery Neuman said. “I’m a fan of it personally, so I don’t mind it, but I can see how some people think it’s offensive.”
The MSU football players also have various opinions on the chants. Senior linebacker Adam Decker said he felt the vulgarity was a negative reflection on MSU, but admitted it’s a tough thing not to do.
“I’m a student, too,” Decker said. “If I was in the student section, I’d be lying if I said I wouldn’t do it. It’s just because everybody’s doing it and it’s a fun thing at the time.”
Sophomore quarterback Kirk Cousins, one of the team’s four captains, said he doesn’t like the profanity. He said he chooses not to speak that way and doesn’t think that type of language is honorable, respectful or mature.
“I believe the mouth speaks of that which is in the heart, and so I think what comes out of the mouth is an indicator of what’s going on inside,” Cousins said. “I think if the mouth is saying things like profanity, and is constantly angry, that kind of talk I think reflects what’s going on inside. … It’s something I would like to see changed. I know some students are going to be frustrated with me saying that, but that’s the way I feel.”
Despite the backing by various people, the vulgarity might never go away. However, the Hollis hopes fans and families can meet somewhere in the middle.
“I want students and fans to have fun — this is not a military zone — we want people to enjoy the game and that’s as true as for students as it is for seven and 80-year-olds,” Hollis said. “The older fans say, ‘I bought my ticket, why do I have to listen to this?’ while the student says, ‘I bought my ticket, why can’t I say what I want to say?’ This is never going to completely go away, but we need to find that happy medium between the two.”
Commentary
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Sigh...
(09/09/09 10:51pm)Report
Such a shame. Such a great cheer ruined because of distaste and indecency.
Dev
(09/09/09 11:05pm)Report
It is a shame! and everybody that said in this article that they didnt like it is lying..if it lasted 30 years obviously ppl must like it.. but o well.
student
(09/09/09 11:08pm)Report
Great decision!
I stand by Cousins’ comment 100%.
DrinksFromAFroggyMug
(09/09/09 11:35pm)Report
I agree with dev, 30 years of this cheer and NOW they decide it’s too vulgar? Plus I don’t really think that it will change much. They’ll get rid of this cheer, and the students will just come up with more.
SpartanIllini
(09/10/09 12:25am)Report
Dev, the F*** [opponent] part of the cheer started only a few years ago. The “Let’s Go State!” part has been around as long as the rest of Hockey Cheer.
I’m really sad that Hockey Cheer has to go, but unfortunately I’ve seen this coming for a while. The vulgarity continued unabated last season even with the Coach D recording aired on the scoreboard in Spartan Stadium multiple times.
Here’s to bringing Hockey Cheer back in a few years and bringing it back with class and respect for our school, our opponents, and the musicians who lead the rah-rah tunes. GO GREEN!
Zack DeLand
(09/10/09 12:45am)Report
That is horrible. The Hockey Cheer was my favorite cheer (besides the fight song, of course). I hope they don’t take it away from the Izzone games too—those students are usually much better behaved.
Mad Spartan
(09/10/09 8:26am)Report
This is sad day, very sad day. This was one of the most fun cheers on game day, and it was ruined by the student section. That’s great that 30 years of tradition was wiped out in just 3 years…
Spartan
(09/10/09 9:25am)Report
The worst part is how cool the kids that were swearing thought they were.. “Hey LOOK!! Im swearing!!” Attention seekers. Now they have ruined a great Spartan Tradition… Thanks!!
Fish
(09/10/09 10:24am)Report
I say they try bringing back starting the “Pound, Green Pound!” cheer that never took off two years ago.
This Sucks
(09/10/09 10:38am)Report
BALLS!!!
ELtoPhilly
(09/10/09 1:00pm)Report
Good call but unfortunate. When I was at MSU Hockey Cheer was my favorite, and it really got the rest of the students amped up. It does reflect negatively on the student body by doing this. I never participated in the F___ (opponent) part and always cringed when others around me did. I completely back what Cousins says in this article.
himynameisjake
(09/10/09 1:26pm)Report
I am really sorry to see the Hockey Cheer go, but more sorry to admit that during my freshman year four years ago when this nonsense started, I was a more than willing participant. Students get swept up in the excitement of the game, the mob mentality, and before you know it, are shouting things that they never would on their own. If I were a parent, I would be unwilling to take my child to a Spartan (or most Big Ten schools) game with things the way they are. This is a step in the right direction, and maybe when we students can show that we are mature enough to act like the adults we are, the Hockey Cheer will return.
Till then, I fully support the decision to phase out songs that students choose to add vulgarities to. I encourage the band, athletic department, and the administration to continue doing so until students realize the consequences of their actions.
Kid Dynomite
(09/10/09 1:26pm)Report
As a cussing student, I feel like I’m a member of an (ironically) silent majority in this matter. I see it as just kids having fun. The chant’s modifications coaline with how students talk and choose to express themselves nowadays, vulgar or otherwise. It’s seen all around the country and even the conference. For example, students at Wisconsin, for no particular reason at all divide up the student second and one half says “f*** you” and the other responds “eat sh**”. Do any of you honestly think less of Madison and it’s athletics? I didn’t think so, they’re still higher on the academic lists which is all that should matter in a college’s reputation and their stadium/ game day atmosphere is one of the most beloved in the country.
I actually think ours is relatively tame in comparison, it shows our disdain for other teams and if you think it mildly bothers our players, imagine how much it shocks/disturbs our opponents, thereby adding to our “6th man effect” (to borrow a basketball term); especially considering this is one of our loudest chants. It should also be noted that it is only one of four chants that cuss, there are still three more for you puritans to destroy and if you succeed we are only left with “eat em up,” “go green/white,” and the horse one, which I don’t think will cut it on gameday (especially considering one isn’t a chant at all.)
Probably the most compelling point of this whole thing is whether or not the SMB has the power to do this. Do they own a chant and tradition that exceeds the current band director? Are they overstepping their bounds by excluding students of this tradition? Of course they are. I honestly don’t know how much artistic integrity they think they have when they’re sitting in the student section PLAYING FOR THE STUDENTS!
If STUDENTS (you know, the people who are actually representing the school they go to) don’t want to swear, no one is making them, but they are too excluded from the tradition, and tradition should be a right, not a privileged.
Random
(09/10/09 1:49pm)Report
Kid Dynomite –
You aren’t part of a “silent majority”. You’re a part of an immature but vocal part of the student section that is relatively new and significantly lame.
Appending swear words to traditional cheers is not original, funny, or cool. The band doesn’t owe any of us students anything. If it’s gotten to the point where the athletic department is regulating it, don’t you think there may be something to… I don’t know, thinking about this?
You can have fun and do stupid things as a student, but this issue is not worth fighting for. You (and others) ruined the cheer for everyone. It IS a privilege, deal with it.
MB
(09/10/09 1:55pm)Report
F**K is a strong word and I understand why they felt it neccessary to remove the song. If students wanted to use this type of response by adding the F-word to the song against their opponent, then I agree, remove the song until people can show the proper respect to all opposing teams. Without the other team, you don’t have a game, now that’s a thought!
RE: Kid Dynomite
(09/10/09 2:03pm)Report
My question to you is why swear, why as you said… “I actually think ours is relatively tame in comparison, it shows our disdain for other teams..”, WHY?? Why is there disdain for another team?? Disdain=Hatred, WHY?? I just don’t get the reason behind it. Why can’t you proudly root for your team and not act like a total ass to the other team? It is a type of bullying and I thought that bullying wasn’t a cool thing. Am I wrong or am I right? What do you think??
the kid in the picture
(09/10/09 2:05pm)Report
i mean…really? we have budget cuts, a messed up schedule because of labor day, tough economic times, and outrageous tuition hikes, and this is somehow an issue? for john belushi’s sake people, it’s a cheer, and a great cheer at that. Agreed with the earlier commenter re. the “silent majority.” Students will always find a way to slip in little things like that. it’s what drunk college students do.
Furthermore, just like the hypocrisy of tv showing murder but bleeping out naughty words, how some of these alum denounce us for some cussing while they used to scream “kill bubba kill” is beyond me.
123 first down
BigDeal
(09/10/09 2:20pm)Report
I don’t get what the big deal is. It’s not like it’s the only cheer with profanity in it. We have a whole song devoted to F*** those wolverines, why isn’t there an article about THAT cheer being taken out? It’s all simple fun, and I highly doubt that the opposing team we play that day goes home crying because they heard the F word directed at them in a stand cheer. They probably get it from every away game they go to. It’s just another detail to college life and college athletics.
Actually I am older and I have fun with the F word
(09/10/09 2:24pm)Report
But there is a place and a purpose for everything, and the fight song isn’t the place. I like to swear around my house, it cheers me up!
SMB member
(09/10/09 3:05pm)Report
Kid Dynomite-
The SMB is not claiming to own this chant, nor are we claiming to have the power to play it or not. Most of us like playing it just as much as you like hearing it. Im mad we cant play it anymore. But it wasnt a decision made by us. The MSU administration and athletic department were the ones who said dont play it anymore. So dont sit there and say were “overstepping our bounds” by deciding not to play it anymore, because thats not the case. If people stop swearing, the cheer will come back.
confused
(09/10/09 3:15pm)Report
Just playing devil’s advocate here, but isn’t this a COLLEGE FOOTBALL GAME…made for the COLLEGE…I think that parents shouldn’t expect the games to be PG b/c the game is for the students…again, just playin devils advocate because i personally don’t like the swearing. The izzone does a good job of not having any swear words. But if we are going after the swearing, you might as well kick out the student section…I know for a fact we have 3 other cheers with swear words…leaving us with only the fight song
GO GREEN!
To Confused
(09/10/09 3:22pm)Report
I am older than you I am sure. And I do kinda sorta know what you mean. I know if done in fun, swearing can be fun, but if done with a mean spirit, well all I have to say is YUCK!
confused
(09/10/09 3:29pm)Report
Again, i was just playing devils advocate…i thought the worst part of the last game was when we booed OUR OWN BAND PLAYING MONTANA STATE’S FIGHT SONG…oh come on guyz they don’t have a band chill out…we should never boo bands, especially our own
You are nice confused
(09/10/09 3:39pm)Report
We have the picture, no problem, what you have said is quit valid and quit nice! Have a good day!!:)
msu alum '08
(09/11/09 12:01am)Report
This cheer started in 2005 when we played Hawaii at home. After a couple poor calls and an even more poor effort of football, students decided to add “F—-” to every single cheer of the game.
I stood in the student section then. It was funny for that game. Maybe funny for the next. And got less funny and more stale as time went on. Now, I’m a two-year season ticket holder in the young alumni section and I hope for the “F—-” bombs to phase out.
It’s sad that we lost a cheer, especially one that we know EVERYONE likes. And with the swearing we lose more than just generations-old cheers… we lose major TV network coverage and media respect, too. And I get that “other schools do it,” must that mean we do it too? Is this bandwagon THAT cool?
Clean the mess up that my former classmates around me started, current Spartans. The only ones that remain from the start of this mess are fifth-year seniors… and you outnumber them now.
If anything for motivation, you have a good enough football team to do it now. :)
GO GREEN!