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Just one look
Some disturbing news regarding fan actions at last Saturday’s NHS Boy’s basketball game during the finals of the Kansas Army National Guard Invitational Tournament were brought to my attention recently. My immediate reaction each time I hear about these types of fan behavioral issues, is to shudder and think back to the “look,” of one Gail Keithly.
In the years before NHS reinstated girls athletics, Keithly was the faculty sponsor for the cheerleaders and their accompanying support group, the “Sweater Club.” One note regarding that period. I have never been given a sensible reason why girls athletics during that time were not offered in schools like Nevada. The smaller Vernon County schools had girls basketball, so it remains somewhat of a mystery.
In that time there was also a limited slate of boys sports at NHS. There was football in the fall, basketball in the winter, and track in the spring. Baseball was big here, but it was only played during the summer months and was not affiliated with the R-5 District.
Keithly filled the void for the girls for many years by organizing and promoting the Sweater Club. She was not alone in this task, Bernice Teel was the sponsor for the junior high sweater club. At less than 5 feet in height, one would have assumed she was not imposing, but that would have been a serious misconception. Both Keithly and Teel were fearless when action was required.
Since there were no girls athletics until in the 1970s, cheerleading slots were prized and the selection process was intense. Some of the girls who would have been our best athletes in sports like those of today were chosen for their physical skills. While it may not be politically correct to say it now, it was often the attractive girls selected.
Your responsibilities to be a spirited supporter of the boy’s teams did not end if you were not picked as a cheerleader. A large number of girls joined the Sweater Club. They attended regular meetings where they learned the cheers, so they could support the cheerleaders at the games. They wore sweaters, and sat as a group in the stands, behind the cheerleaders.
Keithly and her husband high school Principal Garland Keithly were steadfast and strict in their dealings with students, athletes, cheerleaders and also fans. If you wanted to see the “look,” all you had to do was to become loud and disparaging towards the other team’s players or the referees. On more than one occasion, I recall Gail walking over to the stands and pulling out some high school boys and leading them outside the gym for a talk. I was never present for one of those talks, but my very vivid imagination has some fearful ideas about her methods.
Gail did not confine her emphasis on fan decorum to just the student body. She was adamant that all NHS fans act in a manner that would reflect favorably upon our school and our community. More than once, I remember her making her way towards an overly vocal adult fan and directing her ire towards them.
In basketball tournaments of that era, they used to give one award that is no longer in fashion. It was known as the “Sportsmanship Award.” Nevada used to always participate in the Neosho holiday tournament, held over Christmas break each season. We were successful in winning some games and trophies, but for Gail the best honor for our school was the be selected to accept the “Sportsmanship Award.”
This award was not just for the student body. It was given by the host tournament school, based on the size, spirit and behaviors of all the fans from a participating school. Nevada under Gail’s guidance was the recipient of that award on multiple occasions.
That’s how things used to be here at our NHS games. Sadly, it appears we have become more like our society in general of late. Vocal anger and even some vulgarity have become more common during games.
I have been a sports nut all my life. I loved going to the games and cheering even when I was a little kid. In high school, I played football, but I attended the other sports events regularly. As a coach, I had to deal with both referees and fans for many years, and I literally can tell you, I’ve heard it all!
Even today when I am in attendance at one of our school’s basketball games, I will on occasion moderately shout out something like ... “that was a travel, he fouled him, call ‘em both ways.” I don’t do this too often, and I suspect that the referees have heard many similar comments. That is part of being a fan at a game. Most of us always feel we aren’t getting the best calls for our players.
What happened last weekend, and something I have witnessed more recently, are words and actions that have crossed the line of what should be considered reasonable and acceptable. Some of these acrimonious verbal taunts have even been directed toward our coaches and individual players.
I will remind all fans, that the purpose of high school athletics and activities, is to enrich the student’s life above and beyond the basic curriculum. Whether it is athletics, music, speech and debate, FFA, or the multiple clubs and organizations available, they are offered to make school a richer learning experience.
It is my belief, that extracurricular activities support and complement the educational process. We defeat that purpose if we allow such vulgar and vicious behaviors during events like high school basketball games.
We should all be ashamed when such actions occur in front of other schools and fans. Some Gail Keithly supervision might be appropriate. Un-sportsmanlike behavior would definitely get “the look,” and a well-deserved exit!