Rushing the court, storming the field, etc

Jan 16, 2010, 9:23 AM

What is the big "embarrassment" that is supposed to associated with kids going onto the field? I don't 'get it'. In my high school, the students all 'rushed' the field after every, any game, win or lose. Mommas and Daddies, girlfriends and younger kids all went onto the field to greet their heros and friends, win or lose. It was an act of appreciation of effort. It united the players and the watchers.

Clemson football fans have been 'rushing' the field at Death Valley for decades, win or lose. No one goes out their because of the significance of the win. Kids go out there because it's Clemson football. It's a wonderful place. It's our field. We like our team. They worked hard, so go say THANKS. We take our kids out there to be where the bigger kids have just "played". It's what we do. I am OK with 'us'.

In the old days of Clemson basketball, back in the Fike Fieldhouse days, the players and the fans mixed all the time. You couldn't get out of the stands without walking on the court. After a game you went by to tell your roommate "Nice Game." It was no big deal. It was normal.

I am in favor of normalizing the activity of fans mingling with players in every sport. The players are not gods. The playing surface is not sacred ground. The events are games. GAMES.

So I'm good with fans 'storming' the court, the field or the diamond. I'm OK with thinking the kids playing are more or less like the kids watching. I'm good with going to see your friend, to tell your classmate or your hero, NICE GOING.

I'm not much into thinking that going onto the field means much other than that. I'm fine with being out of step with a lot of folks who want to view it differently.

Finally, if you are a Clemson fan, you cannot lie to yourself and try to pretend that beating UNC or DUKE is no big deal. We love the games. We love to win. We don't beat such folks regularly. It WAS a big deal. But big or little, 'storming' the playing surface ought to be OK.

Harley