College President Jim Yong Kim discussed the message that fan behavior sends to non-students present at athletic events and considered ways to make the environment at these events more enjoyable, at the panel discussion on fan behavior Tuesday night.
The panel comes as a reaction to a squash match in early December that drew national attention. At the match held in the Berry Sports Center, Dartmouth students heckled Harvard University squash players, causing backlash and accusations of racism.
The incident prompted Kim to apologize to Harvard President Drew Faust and to the family of a Harvard squash athlete.
Kim said the investigation into the incident is ongoing but that he is proud of the student community's response so far.
Kevin O'Brien '12 and Derek Stenquist '10 helped organize a committee on fan behavior, which met to plan the panel. Both O'Brien and Stenquist are members of the Big Green men's soccer team, which received criticism for its alleged involvement in the squash incident.
"The incident was a regrettable situation, which became a catalyst for something that we think is important to the Dartmouth community," O'Brien said.
Kim added that he was very proud of the soccer team for "stepping up," admitting its involvement and having the courage to do something by helping create the panel discussion.
Along with the men's soccer team, the Student Athletic Advisory Council and Student Assembly played roles in organizing the discussion.
The panel included six members Kim, Student Body President Frances Vernon '10, Hanover resident Ben Young '10, women's lacrosse captain Eliza Bennett '10, football captain Tim McManus '11 and former Dartmouth men's hockey player Ryan Sinclair '02.
Panel members discussed a range of issues facing Dartmouth athletics and its reputation, including fan attendance, fan behavior, bystander behavior and the proximity of Dartmouth's student fans to the larger community attending the game.
Kim was careful to clarify that this discussion was not meant to drive away fans, but rather to encourage fans and athletes to consider how their actions will appear to varied perspectives.
"Whatever your intention may be as a fan, you have to understand what others may interpret it as," Kim said.
There is nothing wrong with getting under the skin of the opponent, Kim said, referencing the Cameron Crazies of Duke University as a good example.
There is little physical separation between the Hanover community and Dartmouth students at games, which can also pose as a problem, Young said. As both a Hanover resident and a Dartmouth student, Young added that he has experienced this problem for over a decade.
"You have to take into account who is at the game and who is next to you in the stands," he said.
O'Brien said a community wide initiative should be undertaken, with the end result of making the Dartmouth athletic atmosphere more respectful and enjoyable.
Part of the problem, according to Vernon, is that fans know their actions cross a line of appropriate behavior, but still choose those actions. The panel then discussed the need for athletes both on the field and in the stands to set an example for those attending the game.
The education for respectable behavior has to start at the top with the athletes, McManus and Sinclair said.
Bennett agreed, pointing out that since many of the fans at the games are athletes themselves, they should take an active role in helping keep the crowd under control.
The panelists also noted that the standard of appropriate behavior varies from sport to sport. At a golf match, for example, a fan must act differently than he could at a football or basketball game, McManus said.
While ultimately encouraging fan involvement, Kim cautioned that such enthusiasm cannot be threatening or offensive.
"The intention must take responsibility for the action," Kim said.
The conclusions determined by the panel will be brought back to the committee, O'Brien and Stenquist said. The committee will then bring suggestions to the athletic department, for its consideration.
