A Message from Crew President & GM Mark McCullers
Posted by: Mark McCullers // Category: General NewsDear Crew Fans,
I have received numerous emails and letters from fans complaining about the language emanating from the supporters section. We have communicated the standards, policies and expectations of fan behavior to the supporters group leadership. We have used signage, flyers, public address announcements and the media to communicate that throwing objects onto the field and the organized chanting of profanity will not be tolerated. The core supporters have been cooperative, understand our position and have worked to assist us in communicating and influencing this undesired behavior. Unfortunately, the situation has continued and, in fact, seems to be escalating.
In 2008, the Nordecke emerged as a strong asset that provided energy and enthusiasm in the stadium. The players fed off that energy and the atmosphere contributed to our team’s home field advantage. Unfortunately, in 2009, the unacceptable behavior has become a detriment to the in-stadium environment and has negatively impacted the experience for many fans, especially young people who attend our games. This behavior neither supports the team nor contributes to our home-field advantage. Numerous fans have let me know in no uncertain terms that they will not attend another Crew match until the situation is resolved. The image of the stadium and the club has been compromised and this can not be allowed to continue.
Moving forward, we will continue to increase our security and crowd management presence in the supporters sections. Those who throw objects or participate in organized chants with profanity will be removed from the stadium and could be subjected to additional penalties. If the behavior persists, our next course of action will be to limit sales in the supporters sections. This would be an unfortunate course of action but one that would be necessary to ensure the positive image of the organization and the enjoyment of the match for all fans.
As always, I welcome your feedback.
Sincerest regards,
Mark E. McCullers
President & General Manager
Columbus Crew
Crew Stadium
June 1st, 2009 at 6:04 pm
I agree with kicking out those that throw objects. I do think GTFO chants are unoriginal and shouldn’t take place, but I don’t agree with kicking out those that participate in them.
June 1st, 2009 at 6:47 pm
I will try to be more responsible personally but the hard part is trying to convince others to do the same, especially when they are blinded by hatred of authority, not to mention hatred of sobriety.
June 1st, 2009 at 10:18 pm
I have an idea… We make a swear jar, decorating it with pictures of Martin Palermo.
June 2nd, 2009 at 10:08 am
attach the jar on top of the corner flag near the nordecke, that way we can say the coins were meant for the jar, not Blanco
Clark Hunt are you listening? $$ Ka-Ching $$
June 2nd, 2009 at 10:18 am
When did we as parents have to start sheltering our children from everything? Why has it become such a problem for us as parents to teach our children “what those ppl over there are doing is unacceptable!” and use situations as a teaching oppt. I just don’t understand it at all. Our children are growing up in a world where when they fall down and skin their knee they are treated like they have broken a leg. They are being sheltered from hearing and seeing bad behavior. It is no surprise to me that children get sick so often these days and don’t know how to act when their parents are not around. They have never been exposed to something to be taught that it is inappropriate. I really just can’t understand how any parent can go to any outing where they sell alcohol and not expect to hear obscenities and see poor behavior. It just boggles my mind.
June 2nd, 2009 at 11:47 am
It is my understanding, that even though tickets are sold in that area, that anyone is allowed to “join in” by either finding an open seat or being in that general area. Even if that is not the case, I think they are trying to make the stadium a difficult place for the opposing team to play. Unfortunately, those chants also make it onto TV broadcasts and may cause legal problems in the future.
June 2nd, 2009 at 12:14 pm
I also agree with kicking people out that are throwing objects onto the field, this can actually physically hurt somebody. The use of profane language is within the American culture and will never stop as long as there is freedom of speech. I understand that some people my be offended by profane language, but if they hear it they can simply move to a different part of the stadium. The stadium is almost empty for every game, apart from the SOLD OUT Nordecke that you are trying to push away. By now they should know what to expect from the Nordecke, the language used has been constant since last year. It seemed that the FO approved of anything the Nordecke did last year, apart from throwing streamers that ultimately led to different objects that could actually cause pain as opposed to paper streamers. Now that the team is not doing as well and fans are needed the most the FO is looking for a scapegoat for the dwindling numbers that show up to games. If the CSC staff begin to throw supporters out for the use of profane language and become we are controlled like a bunch if elementary school children I will not come to another game until we are treated like adults. I have been a supporter of the Crew since its inception, I waited for 13 years for something good to happen from the team. Now that we finally have won the league the FO is creating outcasts of its most diehard supporters. So if this is actually true and people will be thrown out for profane language, where do I go to get a refund for the rest of my season tickets?
June 2nd, 2009 at 5:58 pm
As a regular attendee in the Nordecke, I have yet to see someone get kicked out for throwing objects in 2009. In 2008, fans that threw beer/cups or anything other than streamers and confetti were immediately thrown out. There was even self-policing among the groups last season. I blame security for not being tighter this year. Fans would stop throwing things and start self-policing again if they knew it would actually lead to being removed from the stadium.
June 2nd, 2009 at 9:18 pm
At one point on Big Soccer this was semi-discussed. It was even suggested to change the GTFO part to “Thank You Lamar”. I would support that kind of change and for the record, I was not the one who made the suggestion in Big Soccer. As you can hear, that never really took hold because a lot of the teenage fans in the Supporters Section think it’s “cool” to cuss and swear and have no recourse for their actions. Maybe having the potential of their “charter” being revoked would make a point to the group leaders. The throwing things has gotten a little better. It does even better when the Crew are in the lead late in the game (they’re in a “good” mood)…. They (the Supporters) seem to do better when the Crew attack the North end in the second half. More positive support as seen in the San Jose game.
June 3rd, 2009 at 11:37 am
Mark, are your threats just directed at fans in the Nordecke or are you also going to remove all the little kids that participate in the “organized chants” in other sections? Your weak efforts at attempting to change fans’ behavior is not well received as you are not offering any help or solutions. Maybe this issue will disappear on its own in the next few years as profanity will no longer be accepted in our society and children will be no longer familiar with those words as parents around the country successfully shielded their kids from all bad influences.
Anyway, you need to take responsibility in providing well-trained security to remove offenders of the no-throwing objects rule. You also need to do a better job of enabling the supporters groups’ leaders to take charge of the section whether that means providing megaphones or something else.
One last thought, there is plenty of other unacceptable behavior occurring during games such as beer sales people blocking the view or soccer moms with their kids continuously getting up and moving around. There are too many distractions; that includes the T-Shirt cannon at the beginning of the second half–get that stuff out of the way during half time, please!
June 4th, 2009 at 2:49 pm
I think everyone understands the problem with things getting thrown onto the field, it should not happen. But saying you are going to throw people out of the stadium for foul language is just nonsense. I have never been to a sporting event, professional or even recreation leagues, where there is not profanity. Even watching the NBA playoffs, every single slow motion replay shows players screaming F_ _ _ YEAH! Get over it. It is everywhere, and after all, it is only words.
June 12th, 2009 at 1:08 pm
Having been a season ticket holder since year we stand & cheer for the CREW as much as as anyone who does not sit in Nordecke. My wife & I went to LA for the MLS Cup so I think we qualify as goodfans. As adults however we keep our language respectble in public areas. Those who don’t are not being either maure or responsible.
We remember when Calgari was booed for every touch of the ball in the early years. The same for the Mexican goalkeeper (his name escapes me).
We were here for the February USA vs Mexico match when thety never even came out to warm up. I mention these things only to show we have been around and are loyal.
The “Laws of the Game” forbid foul language, gestures, etc. While the players are bound by those laws, knowledgeable fans who ignore or purposely violate them show disrespect to the game and the sport. To ignore that loud vulgaity can be heard everywhere in the stadium and not take steps to correct it reflecats a mind set that does not set an example for children & youth in the area.
At the risk of being accused of naivete, a litmus test for acceptable language might be whether it should be used with your mother, father and children standing along side you.
The “fact” that foul language is accepted at other sporting events is only a crutch to support irresponsible language. To hide within a group so one can use profanity indicates to some the real character of the one swearing. And to allow alcohol as an excuse for unsportsmanlike (unsporting) action and behavior does not indicate maturity.
Craig & Patti
6/12/09
June 14th, 2009 at 9:22 pm
If I am made to feel unwelcome based on the section I sit in or the way I support my team, you can bet that I will not be renewing my season tickets.
June 14th, 2009 at 10:54 pm
I fully agree that the organization of foul language should be stopped immediately. As a season ticket holder (and a teacher and father of three young children), I hesitate to bring my children and students to games largely due to the “You Suck Ahole” chants and GTFO chants. As a former collegiate player and coach, I would love to have played in Crew stadium where the Nordecke brings such an amazing atmosphere. However, the unison swearing has to go. You don’t need it to show real spirit and emotion. I have been to London, two World Cups, and numerous US games……..and to be honest the swearing at Crew Stadium is worse than any of those venues. I applaud Mark McCullers trying to pout an end to this nonsense…..but it obviosuly did nothing today for the game against Chivas.
June 18th, 2009 at 8:17 am
Throwing Streamers and Confetti should be allowed and all Nordecke fans should do that, but throwing object and stopping games is ridiculous and fans should be kicked out. It hurts the team (at the KC game so much stoppage time was added that the Crew almost gave up their lead thanks to us, the fans). Now about the swearing, that’s never gonna stop. Drunken fans everywhere have been swearing at every sport throughout history probably. Fans should not be kicked out unless they’re ridiculous about it.
> You Suck Ahole: never gonna stop
> GTFO: that one SHOULD stop, but probably won’t. We could tone it down replace “F***” with “Hell” but we all know that won’t happen
I hope we can stop object throwing and still keep Nordecke the fun-to-be-in section that energizes Crew, like it always has been.
June 18th, 2009 at 8:55 am
people are getting bored of the 4 or 5 chants that we only do so they’re doing other stuff like swearing and throwing things to make the section more intense… That’s not good obviously, so the group needs new chants