The Vermont Principal’s Association joined lawmakers in Montpelier on Friday to discuss the issue of fan behavior at school sporting events. Jay Nichols, executive director of the VPA, and Lauren Thomas, an assistant executive director, met with members of the Senate’s Education Committee. It’s the second meeting between the two this year.The goal is to make sure they stay on the same page about how to handle unruly spectators and inappropriate behavior. Committee chair Sen. Brian Campion said he is happy to hear about the education efforts the VPA has taken, specifically with a sportsmanship and spectator expectations message that is read before every game. Senator Campion added that he is ready to explore additional measures if racist, misogynistic, or homophobic behaviors or violence continue at school-sponsored events. One route they’re considering would be fining fans. “We’re concerned,” Campion said. “The VPA recommended that they don’t believe we’re at that spot yet, but legislators will continue to have this conversation and move in this direction.”Since the fall, the VPA said of the 3,200 games played, only 1.1 percent have ended in reports of inappropriate behavior. Over the past few years, however, multiple instances of racist, sexist and homophobic language or physical altercations have been reported at games in different districts.”There are idiots out there,” Nichols said. “I use that term on purpose. They’re acting inappropriately in the stands, but the vast majority of those people are good.”In January, Burlington High School’s varsity girls basketball team canceled a matchup with Champlain Valley Union after a player for the Redhawks posted a Tik Tok which contained “racially insensitive” language. A few other school districts fell in line with BHS and canceled their games against CVU.At a middle school boys basketball game in Alburgh a few weeks ago, a fight broke out among spectators. A man involved in the fight, 60-year-old Russell Giroux of Alburgh, died hours later at a nearby hospital. He was driving home, following the incident, when he pulled over and called for emergency services. It is still unclear whether or not Giroux’s death is connected to the fight. Vermont State Police still haven’t released a cause of death or other information involving that brawl. They told NBC5 on Friday:”Our investigation is still ongoing, and we’re waiting for the final determination from the medical examiner on cause and manner of death. Toxicology testing can take several weeks to a month or more, so it’s likely to be a little more time before we have any updates.”The VPA said that many of their complaints come from girls who have received harassment toward their appearance or body image.”We get a lot of attention based on race, but one of the things we’re trying to clean up is the misogynistic comments toward females,” Thomas said. “Every person should step on that field feeling their best self, feeling confident to play the game and play to the best of their ability.”If you or a student you know would like to report harassment or inappropriate behavior, report it to the VPA on their website.
The Vermont Principal’s Association joined lawmakers in Montpelier on Friday to discuss the issue of fan behavior at school sporting events.
Jay Nichols, executive director of the VPA, and Lauren Thomas, an assistant executive director, met with members of the Senate’s Education Committee. It’s the second meeting between the two this year.
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The goal is to make sure they stay on the same page about how to handle unruly spectators and inappropriate behavior.
Committee chair Sen. Brian Campion said he is happy to hear about the education efforts the VPA has taken, specifically with a sportsmanship and spectator expectations message that is read before every game.
Senator Campion added that he is ready to explore additional measures if racist, misogynistic, or homophobic behaviors or violence continue at school-sponsored events. One route they’re considering would be fining fans.
“We’re concerned,” Campion said. “The VPA recommended that they don’t believe we’re at that spot yet, but legislators will continue to have this conversation and move in this direction.”
Since the fall, the VPA said of the 3,200 games played, only 1.1 percent have ended in reports of inappropriate behavior. Over the past few years, however, multiple instances of racist, sexist and homophobic language or physical altercations have been reported at games in different districts.
“There are idiots out there,” Nichols said. “I use that term on purpose. They’re acting inappropriately in the stands, but the vast majority of those people are good.”
In January, Burlington High School’s varsity girls basketball team canceled a matchup with Champlain Valley Union after a player for the Redhawks posted a Tik Tok which contained “racially insensitive” language. A few other school districts fell in line with BHS and canceled their games against CVU.
At a middle school boys basketball game in Alburgh a few weeks ago, a fight broke out among spectators.
A man involved in the fight, 60-year-old Russell Giroux of Alburgh, died hours later at a nearby hospital. He was driving home, following the incident, when he pulled over and called for emergency services.
It is still unclear whether or not Giroux’s death is connected to the fight. Vermont State Police still haven’t released a cause of death or other information involving that brawl. They told NBC5 on Friday:
“Our investigation is still ongoing, and we’re waiting for the final determination from the medical examiner on cause and manner of death. Toxicology testing can take several weeks to a month or more, so it’s likely to be a little more time before we have any updates.”
The VPA said that many of their complaints come from girls who have received harassment toward their appearance or body image.
“We get a lot of attention based on race, but one of the things we’re trying to clean up is the misogynistic comments toward females,” Thomas said. “Every person should step on that field feeling their best self, feeling confident to play the game and play to the best of their ability.”
If you or a student you know would like to report harassment or inappropriate behavior, report it to the VPA on their website.
