Who Sucks?

The Western Athletic Conference has decided that a certain cheer used by Utah State basketball fans is "offensive," and the University informed its students that this cheer is no longer allowed. What is the heinous chant that has drawn such ire?

When the Utah State men’s basketball team took on New Mexico State last Saturday, there was something different about the students.

They turned out in force with most wearing blue and were as loud as ever, but one of their chants had been shelved. “You Suck” can no longer be used at the Dee Glen Smith Spectrum.

The students had used it when a visiting player was called for a foul or after an Aggie opponent made a free throw, adding “still” between the previously mentioned two words.

Last time I heard, the WAC was a collegiate, rather than a high school, conference, and USU was a university, not a high school (although some might disagree on that). This cheer seems like pretty small potatoes for a bunch of college kids.

The ultimate blame for this goes to the WAC, but Utah State pressed the issue, which led to the banning of the phrase:

Following the Hawaii game at the Spectrum, a WAC referee told Randall the “You Suck” chant could be translated as offensive. [Athletic Director Randy] Spetman decided to call the league office and inquire. The head of WAC officials called it “borderline,” Spetman said. Spetman then went to WAC commissioner Karl Benson.

“His (Benson) staff called back and determined the chant was outside the guidelines of sportsmanship,” Spetman said. “That we needed to take action to have the students change.”

The issue was addressed at a Board of Regents meeting on the campus of Utah State on Friday morning. Spetman decided by noon something needed to be done. With key league games coming up, the Aggie AD didn’t want something to happen to hurt the team.

If Spetman hadn't gone out of his way to press this issue all the way to the Commissioner, the chant would probably still be allowed. It's always better to beg for forgiveness than to ask for permission, as I always say.

Some are claiming this is a First Amendment issue, but I disagree. When you buy a ticket to a sporting event, you agree to abide by the rules of the venue. If USU banned using the phrase on campus, however, that would be different (although they might get away with that, as many universities have "speech codes"). I'd say USU has the right to ban the phrase, but that doesn't mean they should.

At this point, however, if fans use the phrase during a game, the team can get hit with a technical foul , so that should shut it down pretty quickly. USU students will have to be creative to come up with ways to protest and circumvent this ruling. And I'm sure they will.