Jan 7, 2009 11:36 am US/Eastern
Needham Principal Bans Students From Hockey Game
BOSTON (WBZ) ―
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The Needham High School boys hockey team are the defending Division 1 champions and are undefeated this year. But when they take to the ice to face off against Framingham on Wednesday, the team will not be hearing their fellow students cheering.
That's because school principal Paul Richards has banned students from attending the game.
Richards says the punishment is necessary because some students have ignored several warnings to curb rowdy and unsportsmanlike behavior at hockey games. Last year, the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association (MIAA) warned Needham high officials to get their kids under control, The Boston Globe reports.
The type of good behavior expected from student fans is clearly outlined in a memo written by the Principal that is posted on the
school's Web site.
According to the paper, the move comes after several Needham students misbehaved at last Saturday's game against Wellesley. "Needham's students chanted 'Wellesley… Wellesley… you s—k' several times. In addition, they chanted 'Put your clipboards away,' to the MIAA reps who were there to observe fan behavior," Richards said in an e-mail to Needham parents.
These actions prompted Richards to issue the one game suspension. "After speaking with student fan representatives, and personally apologizing to the hockey captains, I believe we can get back on track for Saturday's game against Natick," Richards said in the e-mail. "We are looking at this as a setback, or relapse, and not a disintegration of the good progress we have made."
Richards ads that student behavior at games is very important and affects the hockey players directly, because inappropriate behavior could result in potential forfeitures and playoff ineligibility for the team. "This, in part, explains the decision for Wednesday's game."
What do you think of the principal's decision? Should all students pay the price for the acts of a few?
Join the conversation on wbztv.com.
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