Imagine how you would feel if every time you sat down at your desk to start working, some jerk standing ten feet away started screaming “type faster,” or “no, no i before e, can’t you spell?” I know I wouldn’t be very productive.

What if when a kid went to take their SATs, parents sat at the front of the room screaming instructions and throwing things every time they missed a question?

Those actions would obviously never be acceptable, and no one in their right mind would think they were. So why is it that at school sporting events, spectators can get away with berating kids, taunting the opposing team and making themselves look like utter morons?

I like to assume that spectators at most sporting events cheer in a good natured way and behave in an acceptable manner, but after receiving a letter sent home from my school district this week, I’m not so sure.

The letter in question was addressed to the parents and residents of the school district and explained that while the students on the athletic teams always behave in a sportsman like way, the same cannot be said for the spectators. Outlined in the letter were guidelines listing proper and improper etiquette at school sporting events. Not only was there apparently a need for this type of letter to be sent to the residents of the area, but the school has also taken actions to separate the student athletes from the over zealous fans. Player benches have been moved across the field from the spectator bleachers and the letter from the school explained there is a possibility a uniformed officer will be hired to ensure things don’t get out of hand.