K-State students required to sign sportsmanship pledge

September 2, 2015 / Athletic AdministrationCoaching
Kansas State students will be required to sign a sportsmanship pledge before picking up season tickets for this year’s sporting events.

Kansas State fans storm the court after beating No. 8 Kansas last season.
Kansas State fans storm the court after beating No. 8 Kansas last season.

The decision by the university comes six months after Kansas State made headlines for a court-storming incident following the men’s basketball team’s win over rival Kansas. Fans directed profane language at Kansas players throughout the game, and while rushing the court a few students appeared to intentionally shove opposing players.

The pledge asks that students refrain from using inappropriate language and chants, showing respect for all athletes, coaches, fans and officials, according to the Kansas City Star.

No penalty was described. The university indicated it would deal with students on a case-by-case basis.

The Kansas City Star reported that the pledge is the first of its kind in the Big 12.

“We don’t want to do anything to diminish the type of atmosphere that we have from a competitive standpoint,” Scott Garrett, K-State’s senior associate athletic director for external operations, told the Kansas City Star. “Our students make a very intimidating environment. We don’t want to take away from that. This is a way for us and for our students to take leadership.

“There is a very vocal minority of people that don’t necessarily behave the right way all the time, but it reinforces for the ones that are positive that the culture at Kansas State is for our student fans to provide a positive atmosphere, not one that detracts from our national reputation.”

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