susieQ
02-12-2010, 10:17 AM
On Thursday night, February 4, 2010 I attended the DHS girl’s basketball game at Dekalb High School which featured Dekalb’s Lady Barons playing the team from Heritage H.S. I have attended almost all of the boys and girls basketball games, along with the Varsity and J.V. football games, and DHS track meets.
On the night of the aforementioned basketball game I was pleased to see a large student cheer section in place. The students were enthusiastic and to be honest refreshing. Their excitement for what was happening on the basketball court was infectious. Some of the boys in the crowd that night were randomly “yelling.” No obscenities, I don’t think it was even words coming from their mouths – just noise. While I can’t say I enjoyed the noise they were making – I at the same time admired their enthusiasm. To my amazement some of the students doing the “yelling” were removed from the bleachers and apparently asked to leave the gymnasium. They were approached by DHS staff, apparently asked to gather their belongings, and escorted from the gym. I don’t know the names of most of the adults involved. The only one I can mention by name is Athletic Director, Ron Koch. Now don’t get me wrong. I absolutely HATE what I see and hear from some school’s student sections. The use of profanity and the degradation of people are totally uncalled for. I have ALWAYS appreciated the fact that Mr. Koch has kept a reign on Dekalb students and never let them slip into that type of activity. However what I saw on 2/4/2010 was an incredibly sad exhibition of adult leadership! Students are asked to sit quietly for 6-8 hours each and every school day. Why should they not come to a BASKETBALL game and yell? What better place for that kind of activity. To be honest with you Mr. Koch should be VERY thankful that there are still students attending athletic events at Dekalb. There really hasn’t been much to cheer for in the past few years (especially in football and boys basketball). I admire those students for showing up at those events and cheering their team on – even though most of the nights end in defeat for Dekalb teams. If I were a student at DHS, after witnessing the events of 2/4/2010 I would turn my tickets in and NEVER attend another school sponsored event. To be honest with you, I, as an adult, almost did that very thing. If it were not for supporting students I would have done so.
I want my voice heard – I thought what happened to those students on that night was an injustice and I believe they are owed an apology. I only wish the position of Athletic Director were an elected position. Then the voices of those who care could and would be heard! An acquaintance happened to be walking in a hallway outside the gym and even witnessed one of those students being verbally attacked by Mr. Koch. Is a hallway the appropriate place to “punish” students. They are entitled their right to privacy. If you had some type of reprimand to administer to Mr. Koch, would he appreciate that happening in the hallway of the high school? I think not!!
On the night of the aforementioned basketball game I was pleased to see a large student cheer section in place. The students were enthusiastic and to be honest refreshing. Their excitement for what was happening on the basketball court was infectious. Some of the boys in the crowd that night were randomly “yelling.” No obscenities, I don’t think it was even words coming from their mouths – just noise. While I can’t say I enjoyed the noise they were making – I at the same time admired their enthusiasm. To my amazement some of the students doing the “yelling” were removed from the bleachers and apparently asked to leave the gymnasium. They were approached by DHS staff, apparently asked to gather their belongings, and escorted from the gym. I don’t know the names of most of the adults involved. The only one I can mention by name is Athletic Director, Ron Koch. Now don’t get me wrong. I absolutely HATE what I see and hear from some school’s student sections. The use of profanity and the degradation of people are totally uncalled for. I have ALWAYS appreciated the fact that Mr. Koch has kept a reign on Dekalb students and never let them slip into that type of activity. However what I saw on 2/4/2010 was an incredibly sad exhibition of adult leadership! Students are asked to sit quietly for 6-8 hours each and every school day. Why should they not come to a BASKETBALL game and yell? What better place for that kind of activity. To be honest with you Mr. Koch should be VERY thankful that there are still students attending athletic events at Dekalb. There really hasn’t been much to cheer for in the past few years (especially in football and boys basketball). I admire those students for showing up at those events and cheering their team on – even though most of the nights end in defeat for Dekalb teams. If I were a student at DHS, after witnessing the events of 2/4/2010 I would turn my tickets in and NEVER attend another school sponsored event. To be honest with you, I, as an adult, almost did that very thing. If it were not for supporting students I would have done so.
I want my voice heard – I thought what happened to those students on that night was an injustice and I believe they are owed an apology. I only wish the position of Athletic Director were an elected position. Then the voices of those who care could and would be heard! An acquaintance happened to be walking in a hallway outside the gym and even witnessed one of those students being verbally attacked by Mr. Koch. Is a hallway the appropriate place to “punish” students. They are entitled their right to privacy. If you had some type of reprimand to administer to Mr. Koch, would he appreciate that happening in the hallway of the high school? I think not!!