As many of us have learned, a message is only as good as the way it is presented to the individuals it wants to address. Calling the current students of MSU “dorky, dopey, docile, dejected, discouraged, drunk, drowsy, dull, disgruntled disagreeables” is not the way to open the ears of the people you hope to influence.

I am a loyal football fan. I have yet to miss a game in the two years I have attended this wonderful school, and generally I am waiting at the stadium a couple of hours before the gates are open.

Yet, this past game day I did in fact leave right after the band performed. I didn’t leave because our team was burying the other team. I didn’t leave because I was drunk, and I didn’t leave because I don’t care about my football team.

I left because I am a student before I am a football fan, and students — believe it or not — have to catch up on homework. Does this make me a “disgruntled disagreeable?” I think not.

Yes, our student section could use some improvements; I agree with that statement. Although the University of Michigan has not beaten MSU in the past 1,130 days — and counting — it still has upstaged us in regards to being the classier of the two student sections.

I do not doubt that we all support our team and love our school; but making every single cheer that intends to fire up our team vulgar is not the way to show it.

Being heard on national television using cheers such as our first down cheer along with other vulgarities is not something of which to be proud. That should be something that causes your face to redden with embarrassment.

For our last home game against Purdue, I challenge my fellow Spartans to show true spirit. Let’s prove to the alumni that we are not “degenerates.” Let’s show we can support our team in the proper fashion.

This includes making it within the stadium walls and showing that we can support our team without cussing out the opposition.

We are Spartans: Let’s act like it.

Go Green!

Stephanie Ross, animal science sophomore