Attention University of Colorado football fans planning on attending this weekend’s game: Keep it clean.
In a news release Thursday, CU leaders politely called attention to the university’s sportsmanship program, Compete with Class. The program, which is in place at all Big 12 schools, promotes proper behavior among football fans and athletes.
“There are two types of class, first and no,” CU football coach Dan Hawkins said in the statement. “Competition is about respect and testing your limits of poise and performance. Anything less than your best diminishes a positive experience.”
That means no profanity or abusive language. No bullying the fans from visiting Florida State University. And no sophomoric behavior, even from the sophomores.
In all, the Big 12 Spectator Code of Sportsmanship covers behaviors from insults to officials, to interference with another fan’s ability to enjoy the game, to team bench decorum, to getting in the way of opponents entering and exiting the playing field.
To promote harmony, controversial plays won’t be replayed on the scoreboard television, goalposts will be taken down immediately after the game ends and no messages disrespectful to opponents or their fans will be shown on the scoreboard.
There is even a hotline fans can call to report boorish behavior. A quick dial to 303-735-BUFF will bring a response from one of the numerous security officers who will be stationed throughout the stadium — including one for every student seating section.
Fans who cross the line could be tossed from the game, banned for the season and criminally prosecuted. Students face disciplinary action that could lead to their getting bounced from school.
But do not despair. According to the code of sportsmanship, there is still plenty of fun to be had in the stands by, among other things, “support(ing) conference partners competing against non-conference opponents.”
Go Huskers? Now that ain’t right.
Staff writer John Ingold can be reached at 720-929-0898 or jingold@denverpost.com.
