Board members and at least one member of the public called for better behavior at high school football games at a Board of Education meeting Thursday, after what was described as a plethora of foul language and overall poor conduct at the recent rivalry game between the Dragons and Mustangs.
"The language, the activities of some of the students and even parents, was deplorable," said board vice president John Talty, calling the display "a disgrace."
"I hope the administrators make sure that they take every action to make sure that this never happens again," he said.
After the Sept. 7 football game, hosted this year by Brick Memorial, township residents on Patch and elsewhere discussed the behavior of fans at the game, including some Mustangs fans who were said to be wearing shirts displaying the letters "F.O.B.," a derogatory acronym aimed at Old Brick.
Board member Leonard Cuppari agreed that the behavior of fans was less than stellar, but said district administrators tried as best they could to control those who were getting rowdy.
Patrick Kelly, a student representative to the school board from Brick Township High School, said administrators should not take the blame for the actions of some fans.
"I don't believe it's truly fair to blame the administrators of the buildings," he said, adding that announcements were made in school the day of the game warning against poor conduct, and students were "warned repeatedly" to behave.
"It is the biggest rivalry in this town," he said. "Things get out of hand."
One member of the public suggested a conduct policy for all fans – students, parents and visitors – be posted at the entrance to the games and fans who violate the policy be ejected.
Board President Sharon Kight said a committee of board members would look into such a policy.
And PLEASE enough about who has the worse fans on which side of the town. There no angels running around with halos in either of these 2 schools. Bottom line Kight, Talty, Bruno and the rest of the Board of Ed need to do something and a code of ethics and conduct is not the answer.
Its time for a simple and effective solution to the problem before someone gets seriously hurt. A code of the conduct GIVE ME A BREAK!
point 2... I know of towns that stopped letting the parents go to the games. stopping a lot of the bad behavior... makes ya wonder how much of it is the kids???
Are there adults in attendance causing problems, YES. But there are far more many students (no parents in attendance) totally out of control at the game that must be dealt with right away. I agree at this point their parents are not and will never be part of the solution. Bruno and the Board of Ed must act now and I still say the quick and easiest solution is to move the game to early Saturday morning. The only people who will make the effort to attend at that hour will be the true fans of both teams. Otherwise just cancel the game.
another point..I dont know how other people feel but part of the event ( including profl. football games) is the banter ... BUT there needs to be a line .. I know from my son playing football for many many years... its not the players in most cases its the visiting teams parents...
YES I would rather have my kids be around bad language, then someone smoking ... & foul language is diffrent then kids damaging property, fighting etc... I dont think anyone is in jail for cursing in a public place ...