Saline High School students given lesson in sportsmanship after storming Huron's football field
Saline High School students have taken team spirit beyond good taste.
After an incident last week where Saline High School students stormed the football field of host Huron High School River Rats, school officials on Monday issued a public service announcement delivered by 13 Saline school administrators, coaches and former coaches that sternly reminded students what it means to be a good sport.
Saline High School Principal Ben Williams speaks to students via a video on Monday.
From www.salinehornets.com
While it’s not unheard of for students to slip obscene language into chants early in the season, this year has been different, he said.
“Usually, giving students ‘the look’ will stop it. But not this year.”
The offensive language has been tacked onto the University of Michigan chant heard at kickoff that ends with ‘you suck,’ only with an obscene ending, White said.
“The kids know what they’re doing.”
While there were rumors that the chants were racially tinged, that’s not true, White said.
Parents have voiced concern that it’s not only in bad taste, but that it’s inappropriate for young children, White said.
Saline school administrators decided to turn the offensive chanting and storming the Huron field into a teachable moment, creating a 6 1/2-minute video that includes words from former long-time football coach Jack Crabtree, who coached Saline football for 40 years beginning in 1970.
During the first half of last Thursday’s away game against Huron, a couple of Huron students entered the visitor section of the stands, a practice that is frowned upon, White said.
After those students were shepherded out, the Saline student section moved, en masse, toward the Huron side while the game was still in play, with close to 200 students heading toward a new Huron inflated helmet the River Rats use as a tunnel to enter the field, White said. They were dressed in florescent orange rave attire as part of the game theme.
“For one or two students, it was a spontaneous thing to do, with everyone following,” White said.
The students were inside the fence, behind the goal post, when they crossed paths with Huron players leaving the field at halftime.
“No words were said and nothing happened,” White said. “But it could have ended with an altercation.”
Or worse. “The students were not thinking about safety,” White said.
White told the students they could either sit with their parents for the rest of the game or be ejected.
“Several of them realized they had pushed things too far,” he said. “They got caught up in the moment and made bad choices.”
Other than being ejected from the game, there was no further punishment, White said.
There are no hard feelings, said Huron Athletic Director Dottie Davis.
“Rob White handled it superbly,” she said. “He made a great decision (to have the students ejected). I have a great relationship with him. We think alike.”
Comments
Big Dave
Fri, Oct 14, 2011 : 11:40 p.m.
Funny but I didn't read about this in this week's Saline Reporter. Sounds more like loser's sour grapes than news. My sons participated in many sports during their years in Saline schools. My wife and I attended all their sporting events without witnessing anything other than the usual partisan highjinks. My youngest son even particpated in football, including varsity football. He would probably respond to some of the classless comments here himself, but after getting his Master's Degree from Cornell University, he's busy in Washington working as a policy analyst for the federal government. So I'll respond for him. Go Saline!
qwerty1995
Fri, Oct 14, 2011 : 12:26 a.m.
People from Ann Arbor really shouldn't be talking, expecially Pioneer... <a href="http://annarbor.com/news/pioneer-high-school-suspends-31-students-for-senior-prank-that-caused-more-than-2700-in-damage-to-sk/">http://annarbor.com/news/pioneer-high-school-suspends-31-students-for-senior-prank-that-caused-more-than-2700-in-damage-to-sk/</a>
2012hornet
Thu, Oct 13, 2011 : 2:53 a.m.
I am a Senior at Saline. I enjoy being in the student section each week, however I am extremely disappointed in my fellow classmates. Week after week the few "leaders" continue to make poor choices and each time the uproar over it is deemed "blown out of proportion." Every time we say its blown out of proportion, the students take their actions one step further, starting with the orange-out (which was supposed to be a convict-out for those of you who think there was no racial motives behind the color choice) heading to Pioneer and chanting "F*** purple, f*** white, can't read, can't write!", and ending with the storming of Huron's field before the end of the first half. I was at the Huron game, though not in the student section. Whether their intentions were poor or not, if the Huron student section had stormed our field during the game, Saline students would be outraged. My question is how long are we going to dismiss this bad behavior before it escalates out of control, if it hasn't already? And to my fellow students who keep trying to defend the student section, please check your spelling and grammar before posting. You're not helping the cause.
Good Music176
Wed, Oct 12, 2011 : 8:30 p.m.
All of this hatred and anger towards Saline makes me more and more proud to be Hornet. People dont hate on other things that they are not afraid of. Its clear, that Saline has struck fear into Ann Arbor people. #HornetPride
umichsaline
Thu, Oct 13, 2011 : 12:19 a.m.
Saline > Ann Arbor Pioneer > Ann Arbor Huron
Red Raider
Wed, Oct 12, 2011 : 3:53 a.m.
I do want to thank all the people who have posted their negative views regarding Saline. I mean this sincerely and not sarcastically. I am an assistant coach for one of the travel baseball teams in Saline and one that I do not believe was referenced in an earlier post. The other coaches and I have constantly preached to the boys on our team that it's not just a baseball game or season that's at stake. Each of them represents himself, his family, the team, and the city of Saline. Therefore, all the boys need to behave appropriately not just on the baseball diamond, but at school, in the community, basically wherever they go. We told them one guy being a jerk can quickly get the rest of the team labeled as jerks. That's what has happened with last Thursday's unfortunate incident. A number of kids misbehaved and while it may not be fair to have all the kids and people in Saline labeled as people who behave badly, that perception is an expected result. And the only way to change that perception is for each person who calls Saline home to start conducting himself/herself in a civil and respectful way. So, I'm going to make a copy of this article and all the comments and use this to further teach the boys on the team the importance of conducting themselves appropriately. Thanks again!
Tyler
Wed, Oct 12, 2011 : 12:56 a.m.
So basically the parents that putting down Saline kids that are from Pioneer and Huron are saying that going on the side of the field (not even storming the field like the article says) and trying to dance in the blow up helmet is better then your own kids pooping on skyline's field? And your all probably saying "oh it was just a couple of kids playing some jokes" or "it was only a couple kids, that doesn't say anything for the whole student body" well that's exactly what people are saying at saline. And if your going to try and downgrade saline students for doing something that almost all kids would have done, I'd think about what your children have done first. I mean really who poops on someone else's field that's just down right disgusting. I'm sure if it was Skyline's helmet that they danced in the would of rather had then then poop on their field. Think before you talk.
jdogg8113
Tue, Oct 11, 2011 : 11:24 p.m.
Ann Arbor parents...come on. No one cares about your U of M degree from '87 stop attacking high schoolers and thinking you are cool. All high school kids make stupid decisions. Nobody was hurt just forget about it and move on. Very inmature of you to call kids "orphans" and "violent" when you have not met any of them. The pistol whipping incident that was referenced is the only thing like that I have ever heard while living in saline. That kid isn't even from saline. Get off your high horse and think like an educated person. Yes what the kids did was wrong but they made a bad choice.
Fat Bill
Tue, Oct 11, 2011 : 8:04 p.m.
Having spent 4 years working directly with Saline kids, I can safely say that the vast majority are just fine, just like the vast majority of Pioneer or Huron or Dexter, etc kids are. Some of the kids tend to be more confident in how they interact with adults, some "old-school" thinkers might be offended by such talk, but as long as you talk TO such students rather than AT such students you would be suprised at how well behavior problems can be corrected.
umichsaline
Tue, Oct 11, 2011 : 7:35 p.m.
Everyone needs to take a good look at their own schools. I have a feeling all these people bashing on Saline are the people who are jealous that they did not get the education they could have gotten at Saline. I love how there are obvious grammatical errors in many of the posts, showing that uneducated people are only good at criticizing other people. I am glad I went to Saline. I'm proud to have graduated from Saline. Saline High School is a great high school with great teachers who are good at what they do. The average AP, SAT, and ACT scores at Saline are off the charts, showing that the students are exceptional as well. So what if they want to do chants at sporting events, what's so wrong about that? The people who are criticizing must have NEVER done ANYTHING bad - they must be the cream of the crop where they are from. Stop being a bunch of hypocrites and pick on people your own age. I pity you all.
2012hornet
Thu, Oct 13, 2011 : 3:24 a.m.
I think you're overlooking the Saline students posting comments on here with poor grammar as well. I'm from Saline, but not necessarily proud to call myself a Hornet.
umichsaline
Thu, Oct 13, 2011 : 12:22 a.m.
I don't hear EyeHeartA2 chirping anymore. What's wrong old man? Can't handle the fact that I will be more successful than you?
ViSHa
Wed, Oct 12, 2011 : 1 p.m.
High horse meet other high horse.
umichsaline
Wed, Oct 12, 2011 : 3:29 a.m.
I am also man enough to admit when I have made a mistake. The mistake I made was that i searched for "Huron School District", not "Ann Arbor School District", so I apologize. So I did not make up numbers, I just found the wrong school.
umichsaline
Wed, Oct 12, 2011 : 3:24 a.m.
I am already a student at the University, so I guess I'm notifying you now. I'm part of both the Honors College and the business school. So what are your qualifications that you feel like you can ride on a high horse?
umichsaline
Tue, Oct 11, 2011 : 11:41 p.m.
Do you want me to show the "% college ready" ranking? Saline High School: 46% Huron High School: 17% Cue victory music.
umichsaline
Tue, Oct 11, 2011 : 11:33 p.m.
Saline's average ACT score: 23.8 National average ACT score: 21.1 Huron average ACT score 20.4 Were you trying to lead me to find out that Huron is below average or that Saline is above average? Either way, I like what I found.
EyeHeartA2
Tue, Oct 11, 2011 : 10:44 p.m.
Yep, first time poster, staying late at school to get your ACT "off the charts"? Anyway Jr., you might want to back that up with some data. I'll give you a hint, since you seem to be struggling a bit: <a href="http://www.freep.com/article/20110628/NEWS06/110627059/Database-Michigan-high-school-ACT-MME-scores?appSession=29710313717494" rel='nofollow'>http://www.freep.com/article/20110628/NEWS06/110627059/Database-Michigan-high-school-ACT-MME-scores?appSession=29710313717494</a> Write back and tell us about your "off the charts" ACT scores compared to Huron's. I don't want to do ALL the work for you. You'll need to do some of this yourself some day.
EyeHeartA2
Tue, Oct 11, 2011 : 7:11 p.m.
All these first time posters that can't seem to spell are cracking me up. Clearly the library at Saline HS has a good internet connection anyway.
UlyssesSwrong
Sun, Oct 16, 2011 : 4:33 p.m.
LOL EyeHeartA2 this made me actually laugh out loud.
Ted
Thu, Oct 13, 2011 : 2:02 a.m.
Maybe it just shows that your comments are actually effecting the saline students and that we don't really appreciate it when you say we are spoiled or that we play dirty, maybe we all should just grow up, this is ridiculous its a high school football game, yes the kids need to be told that it is wrong but how is it helpful to insult them? Honestly some of the people on this site are the problem with this world.
umichsaline
Thu, Oct 13, 2011 : 12:21 a.m.
If you notice, EyeHeartA2 has several grammatical errors in his own post. "That" should be replaced with "who". Comma should be inserted after "Clearly". "Anyway" needs to be omitted. You better check yourself before you wreck yourself. Hope he sees this before aa.com deletes the comment...all my other comments about his grammatical error has been removed...
Good Music176
Wed, Oct 12, 2011 : 8:26 p.m.
You used the wrong version of "eye" by the way. Keep your head up!
thecompound
Wed, Oct 12, 2011 : 12:25 a.m.
Ten bucks says there is extra credit to be had if they show teach what they wrote on AA.com, lol.
aMAIZEing
Tue, Oct 11, 2011 : 7:10 p.m.
@Mittengirl All teams will play dirty. I at least know the sport that I am associated with, teams don't play dirty until the other team plays dirty. At that point, every coach I have ever had said to elevate what they did to a new level, so the dirty play stops. And that map you showed really helped my point, so thank you. All kids are the same. They all will make mistakes. They know what is right and what is wrong. Saline, Huron, Pioneer, Skyline, Dexter, etc. KIDS WILL BE KIDS. This entire thing is being blown out of proportion and everyone here knows it. No harm was done, except for causing a bad reputation for Saline. The parents can get out of hand sometimes though, I will agree, but I believe that shows passion. I would rather have loud parents in the stands then quiet ones.
GetALife
Tue, Oct 11, 2011 : 6:44 p.m.
All you people who are commenting about Saline and ragging on them are being ignorant. enough said. would you rather have kids rush the field, like saline kids? or poop on the fields like your kids did? all you parents commenting on this need to worry about your own children and grow up. if you really have nothing else to do with your time, then you are pathetic.
umichsaline
Tue, Oct 11, 2011 : 11:20 p.m.
Thank you. You have clearly and concisely said everything I wanted to.
Von
Tue, Oct 11, 2011 : 6:26 p.m.
has everybody just forgotten that these kids have done nothing wrong? Or is this just a parents of Ann Arbor children vs. Saline debate now?
townie54
Tue, Oct 11, 2011 : 5:40 p.m.
yea if these parents are like the ones that were drinking while chaperoning a dance a couple years ago and then tried to stifle every attempt to find out the names of who was involved then good luck having them teach their kids anything
YPboyWRheart
Tue, Oct 11, 2011 : 5:30 p.m.
Orange. Convict color. Washtenaw county Jail. Thats what they wore at the Ypsi game. All Ypsi kids , wake up Saline. Then at Huron.
10dz
Tue, Oct 11, 2011 : 5:22 p.m.
so some kids tried to run onto the field at a football game....and that's news? hmm, slow news day?
umichsaline
Tue, Oct 11, 2011 : 11:36 p.m.
Slow day for news. Also, slow day for parents? Seem like a lot of people have a lot of time.
mittengirl
Tue, Oct 11, 2011 : 5:08 p.m.
@AMAIZING "Saline is not known for violence AT ALL." <a href="http://www.neighborhoodscout.com/mi/saline/crime/" rel='nofollow'>http://www.neighborhoodscout.com/mi/saline/crime/</a> "Our teams don't play dirty unitl the opposing team does." Well that says it all.........
Von
Tue, Oct 11, 2011 : 6:50 p.m.
<a href="http://www.neighborhoodscout.com/mi/ann-arbor/crime/" rel='nofollow'>http://www.neighborhoodscout.com/mi/ann-arbor/crime/</a> ... Yeah, so I guess Saline is less violent?
mlivesaline
Tue, Oct 11, 2011 : 4:30 p.m.
Go ahead everyone and pile on Saline. Don't remember when it became such a popular thing to do but apparently it is now. Just my observation, but seems lately any time some Ann Arbor team beats Saline or something happens that puts Saline in a negative light it's big news. Calling our kids "Spoiled Brats". Really? All students in Saline are spoiled brats? Criticizing the administration response of showing a Public Service type video? What could possibly be wrong with that? I applaud them. I just love people who post here thinking only their idea is best. For those of you in this category please see: <a href="http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=egotistical" rel='nofollow'>http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=egotistical</a> Please see SalineSara below. This is who Saline kids are. This is who Pioneer kids are, This is who Huron kids are and this is who Skyline kids are. Young adults trying to find their way. Trying to make a difference in a positive way in the community. Just are in any general population there are some kids who make mistakes from time to time. Everyone does. The key is to learn from these mistakes and to move on a better person. But to paint students from Saline with the same brush, to say such mean and negative things about students from Saline is totally incorrect and unacceptable. I am a proud graduate of and resident of Saline. I am proud of and support my school, the students and the administration. But I do understand there will always be people who love to hate on Saline. So for those who feel this is a good opportunity for them... Go ahead and pile on Saline, we all know that you've never done anything wrong.
thecompound
Wed, Oct 12, 2011 : 12:41 a.m.
who's piling on now?
salineguy
Tue, Oct 11, 2011 : 4:29 p.m.
I watched the video and have a few comments. First off, one person (and one only) hit the nail on the head. The hockey coach said that we expect the same behavior from the fans that we expect from the athletes. Period. That is simple, straightforward and true. All of the rest of the stuff about uniquenees of the student body and fans, the 'indelible impression' that the fans have made on the principal, showing pride, being a 'Classy Hornet" (whatever that is), is - to me - just a bunch of superficial blather. Other than perhaps having better cars, Saline students are no different that other high school kids. Kids will do dumb things and school officials will have to respond appropriately. A PSA that all students have to watch was their chosen method - wouldn't have been mine. Probably went over real well with the kids! Gave them something to laugh about the rest of the day ... wait ... our 15 year old kids are on a different plane than those at other schools, I forgot. Perhaps an administrator should sit with the youngsters at all contests home and away to make sure they don't get out of hand. That will teach those pesky teens a lesson.
FGR Fan
Tue, Oct 11, 2011 : 4:24 p.m.
Maybe Saline needs to check out the banner in Gabriel Richard's gym "We cheer for an audience of One." Noticed it at a volleyball game couple of weeks ago. Will say that I attended a Saline rec/ed high school basketball game last winter between my nephew's team (Saline kid) and the Gabriel Richard team. The kids and parents from Saline that were "cheering" in the stands were disrespectful and downright mean and rude. Had to hand it to the Catholic kids - they kept on playing and beat the Saline team. I also recall that they shook the refs' hands and thanked them for being there. Something to think about.
7718
Tue, Oct 11, 2011 : 8:05 p.m.
The audience of One also says do not judge others...
Von
Tue, Oct 11, 2011 : 6:53 p.m.
FGR lost that game, and most of the kids in the stands knew the FGR kids...
aMAIZEing
Tue, Oct 11, 2011 : 3:50 p.m.
Why are all of you Ann Arbor parents being critical on Saline? Did you condone the activities of Pioneer and Huron last fall? Something that cost money to fix? You all looked past what your own kids did. These students did not harm anything. You all are being hypocritical right now. What lesson did those students at Pioneer and Huron get"taught?" Nothing. Saline at least tried to fix what happened. Look in your own backyard first. Saline is not known for violence AT ALL. Our teams don't play dirty unitl the opposing team does. Again, look in your own backyard before criticizing Saline.
qwerty1995
Fri, Oct 14, 2011 : 12:40 a.m.
<a href="http://www.annarbor.com/news/pioneer-high-school-suspends-31-students-for-senior-prank-that-caused-more-than-2700-in-damage-to-sk/">http://www.annarbor.com/news/pioneer-high-school-suspends-31-students-for-senior-prank-that-caused-more-than-2700-in-damage-to-sk/</a>
Loves2Cook
Wed, Oct 12, 2011 : 2:18 p.m.
What makes you think we're all from Ann Arbor? I'm not.
Blanch DuBois
Tue, Oct 11, 2011 : 3:24 p.m.
Hmmm...I wonder why you never hear of this type of behavior exhibited by ANYONE at a competitive spelling bee, science fair, music recital, poetry slam, geography bee? Different mentality perhaps.
Randi
Tue, Oct 11, 2011 : 3:18 p.m.
Being a student at Saline High School, there is no doubt I support our student section. The idea behind our student section is actually a fantastic idea and it brings together unity between us fans. I did not partake in the student section on Thursday, but I usually am. Yes, we have a couple of cheers that could be considered inappropriate, and I'm not saying they're right or they're wrong. Sometimes it may get out of control, yes. Sometimes ideas may be acted on without thought, yes. But, in the long run it is a student section; Impulses will be acted upon in the heat of the moment. They are trying to have fun, and in the grand scheme of things they don't mean any harm to anyone. If you look at the idea behind our student section, you actually see something pretty amazing. The student section is a family, and they have came together to support not only our football team, but also the other teams here at SHS. Perhaps the actions may be inappropriate at times, but the central idea is something that will make our students feel like they are a part of something. For the people commenting on here making stereotypes about Saline, you have no right. Go ahead and make your stereotypes, but remember that you're just as immature as any of us. And no matter where you are from, you have no right to say anything about us being the worst school to play. Don't act like that doesn't go on at your school, especially in the division and region we are in. There are strong rivalries between all of the schools in the SEC white and SEC red. We are in high school, we compete and we let the adrenaline get the best of us. Every school has their dirty players, it's not just Saline. So if anything, accept the fact that your school, previous school, or child's school has partaken in unsportsman like activities. For those of you stereotyping, I hope you realize you're playing a part in one of the biggest problems in society today. Stereotyping based on school is just as bad as based on race.
julie1234
Tue, Oct 11, 2011 : 3:04 p.m.
The comments related to this article are far more fascinating than the pretty boring article about a pretty boring event. Really, some teenagers made a bad group decision (that's unusual!), and the school reprimanded them. Wow, crazy! Big news! But, then, sadly, the readers go overboard with name calling and finger pointing at the maturity level of middle schoolers. My guess is that the kids have gotten over this, and the rest of us should too. In the same way a small group of students don't represent the school, my guess is that the commenters here don't represent the opinions of the area. Most of us recognize that both Saline and Ann Arbor are outstanding communities, made up of mostly great parents, mostly great kids, and mostly great teachers and administrators. We should be proud and relieved that this non-event was the #4 story of our local paper. Many other communities are reading much different news today.
Therese
Tue, Oct 11, 2011 : 1:49 p.m.
I beg to differ. There was racially charged language on the field. My son is on the freshman Huron team and heard it. This week just reminded me that AAPS is a where I want my children academically and socially educated.
qwerty1995
Fri, Oct 14, 2011 : 12:42 a.m.
...really? <a href="http://www.annarbor.com/news/pioneer-high-school-suspends-31-students-for-senior-prank-that-caused-more-than-2700-in-damage-to-sk/">http://www.annarbor.com/news/pioneer-high-school-suspends-31-students-for-senior-prank-that-caused-more-than-2700-in-damage-to-sk/</a> ...still have the same opinion?
chad
Wed, Oct 12, 2011 : 12:07 a.m.
and AAPS is racial slur free? yeah right. good try though
Chicagobob
Tue, Oct 11, 2011 : 3:33 p.m.
Thank you for saying this! AAPS is a good district and although racist language occurs here - as it does anywhere - there seems to be more of an inclination here to address it since it is never appropriate. Thank you again!
KeepingItReal
Tue, Oct 11, 2011 : 3:07 p.m.
Therese. I appreciate your sensitivity to what may have been racially charged language. I don't know whether it happened or not. Please allow me to point to your attention something that is of far more concern to me. Just take a look at our current politicians who want to lead our country. There are making the most derogratory, racially charged comments that I have seen in a very long time in this country. Our POTUS, the highest and most powerful position in this country and some would say in the world, yet he is disrespected every single day with name calling, his wife is compared to an ape from the planet of the ape movie by talk show hosts, yet many seem to condone this behavior. Is there any wonder why a bunch of high school kids feel comfortable in their skin making derogratory comments about others, if this is what they are accused of doing.
colorguardmom
Tue, Oct 11, 2011 : 2:09 p.m.
You don't think that there are AAPS students who use racially charged language? Unfortunately, it exists everywhere to some degree. No excuse for it - anywhere or anytime but it does exist. Don't think for a minute that AAPS is above it. I can't believe a story about a public service message has degraded into this type of mudslinging. Each of these school districts has many great attributes and those should be praised and encouraged. Making generalized negative statements about either school district in uncalled for and should stop here and now. What do you expect your student to take from this discussion? What kind of example are you trying to set?
KeepingItReal
Tue, Oct 11, 2011 : 1:44 p.m.
I was at this game and I did not see anything these kids did that rated this over-reacted response. I thought they were part of the cheering section for the Saline Student Body. Now, maybe there was something they said, did or intended to do to cause this reaction from the Saline Administrators, but from all I could tell, "it was much to do about nothing."
colorguardmom
Tue, Oct 11, 2011 : 1:36 p.m.
Perhaps some of the commenters posting on this site should take a look at some of the things they are writing. Some of these comments are insulting, rude, vulgar and judgemental. There are some excellent examples of poor sportsmanship right here on this page. Categorizing a whole town as vulgar, violent cheats just shows the mentality of some who actually show up in the stands and make comments during the game. Some of the most vulgar, insulting comments I have ever heard have come from parents in the stands who should know better. With kids, you can chaulk it up to being young and inexperienced. What excuse do the adults have? None. Some of the insults I've heard parents scream at games just make you cringe. This happens in every school district across America. Parents need to lead by example, quit trying to re-live your teenage glories through your kids and remember it's just a game.
Go Blue
Tue, Oct 11, 2011 : 1:21 p.m.
Kids will be kids. True. And how their behavior is acknowledged by adults is exactly what molds them for future actions. You do not ignore poor or inappropriate behavior with a shrug of the shoulders and a "kids will be kids" attitude. That only teaches them the behavior is acceptable so it must be ok to take it to the next level too.
thecompound
Wed, Oct 12, 2011 : 12:30 a.m.
Good post Chad, but could you maybe ask your classmates to leave the blow up peni$ at home next time?
chad
Wed, Oct 12, 2011 : 12:06 a.m.
the administration kind of made a big deal about it. Im a student and i had to watch the video. there are announcements at lunch. sure i feel like this is a big overreaction but i am part of the student section. I am taking 2 AP classes and have a 4.0 GPA and am a Jr. the swearing does get carried away sometimes but i can honestly say we didnt mean any harm. I feel embarrassed that this blew up but I dont think anything happened that was serious enough to provoke all this hate. I take pride in Saline and know the quality of our coaches and students as well as staff. everyone is making them look cold-hearted but they have all talked to the students in one way or another. I cant control our student section and some actions will continue but there is nothing anyone can do than s already done. Im sure your school system has had ups and downs but it must feel good for all these parents to finally have a stab at a school system with a resume as good as any and in most cases better
lindsay erin
Tue, Oct 11, 2011 : 1:17 p.m.
When I attended Huron High School just a few years ago, (5? 6?) everyone had a really good time--even got a little rowdy--without doing anything like this. Save it for college, kids.
craigjjs
Tue, Oct 11, 2011 : 12:52 p.m.
What a treat! An unexpected multi-cultural experience. East Texas right here on annarbor.com.
nixon41
Tue, Oct 11, 2011 : 12:39 p.m.
YOU, John B are not correct. My boys played Saline sports in the 80's & 90's & they were NOT violent.
Pro Granny
Tue, Oct 11, 2011 : 12:18 p.m.
I am a 1976 graduate of Tecumseh High and I will never forget the basketball game I attended with friends probably in 1973 At the end of the game played in Saline, (Saline won), their Cheerleaders rushed the bleachers and ripped down our banners. As a 14 year old I hated them for that, it was mean spirited then and obviously they haven't changed over the years. I have children that played the Saline Lacross team and again found that they play dirty and lack good sportsmanship. This isn't a problem with the students, it's a problem with the coaches that want to win at any cost, regardless if they put children in danger of injury, it's about intimidation. These feelings will stay with me forever.......I wonder if that's the image Saline really wants to project...maybe it is. As for the parents, give me a break. Many of them don't have a clue how rotten their kids are and unless you have video evidence they would defend them to the end, as they should (to a point). You can only do so much as a parent and at some point these teen's need to be held accountable for their actions. Good luck making any improvement......this mean spirit is deeply rooted.
Von
Tue, Oct 11, 2011 : 6:40 p.m.
Ma'am, 1976 was a long time ago, maybe it's time to get over it. Also I was once the captain on the Saline Lacrosse team, I can positively assure you, that Saline has done nothing but show good sportsmanship when playing Tecumseh. In fact the Tecumseh and Saline teams have much respect for each other. Lacrosse is a tough and physically violent sport, some people don't fully understand the game, so I can understand how you may misinterpret it. In f
lionsfan21
Tue, Oct 11, 2011 : 5:38 p.m.
It would hurt when all you do is lose to Saline in everything you do. Fire up Hornets.
aawolve
Tue, Oct 11, 2011 : 12:01 p.m.
City of Ann Arbor, do I detect a hint of jealousy in your comments? Good to see that the administrations and students of the two schools were able to handle the aftermath of this better than the readership of annarbor.com.
mittengirl
Tue, Oct 11, 2011 : 12:01 p.m.
Teachable moment? That was my 'laugh of the day' moment. Wanna teachable moment?? Make the entire school write an apology note and send it to Huron as an olive branch and give the kid an F for the day if they don't. Saline players are and have always been dirty players, Saline players spew racial slurs at every turn, Saline students' section yell nasty cheers and blow up male body part inflatables at games and bat them around. Saline students hit a parked car with their car in their own parking lot and took off.!! But that's not all folks. It's the Saline parents and Coaches who display classlessness when opposing players get close to their sidelines, the parents yell racial slurs and everyone laughs, and Coaches turn their backs on opposing players on the ground instead of lending a hand. And THAT is how their kids learn to treat others.
Von
Tue, Oct 11, 2011 : 6:43 p.m.
Literally none of those things ever happened. Except for inflating male body parts, which is harmless, and the hit and run, which is more to do about poor driving then anything else.
Marilyn Wilkie
Tue, Oct 11, 2011 : 1:56 p.m.
If this is true, there are real problems in the community. If it happens everywhere, there are real problems with the society. I suspect the latter. Bad choices my foot!
Steve Pepple
Tue, Oct 11, 2011 : 11:54 a.m.
An inappropriate comment posted earlier and replies to it have been removed.
Tesla
Tue, Oct 11, 2011 : 11:35 a.m.
I remember when I was a kid and I tried to explain to my dad why it was ok that I broke a window or swore or whatever the infraction of the day was, because Billy did it too, or that I heard dad swear once or twice....I used to get smacked up the backside of the head and told in no uncertain terms " I don't care what THEY do. I care what YOU do" I am getting so tired of hearing the excuse that because someone else also did something or it has been done for years that it's ok, or somehow justified. Our political leaders do it every day. It's child like.
Marilyn Wilkie
Tue, Oct 11, 2011 : 1:52 p.m.
I agree.
KJMClark
Tue, Oct 11, 2011 : 10:38 a.m.
Pioneer students ran onto Skyline's field when Pioneer won their recent football match last month. I should say that differently. During Skyline's *homecoming* game, Pioneer students ran onto the field when their team won. I didn't see any anger about it when Pioneer did it. Did the Pioneer Principal say anything to their students the next day?
thecompound
Tue, Oct 11, 2011 : 11:48 a.m.
I had asked the same question earlier. Is there a difference doing it at the end of the game vs. during the game (half-time but technically the game was not over)? If doing it at any time is bad sportsmanship then perhaps AAPS should address it also?
Cash
Tue, Oct 11, 2011 : 11:10 a.m.
This is an issue that covers a broad spectrum....parents ceding their responsibility to school employees. Sadly we are seeing the result nationwide. The poster children for bad behavior in this article are some from Saline. That poster is forever changing. However, the real issue to me is that parents have handed over behavioral problems to school employees. Since when?
Cash
Tue, Oct 11, 2011 : 10:09 a.m.
"So the student body at Saline High is made up of orphans? Because I am sure if they had parents, their parents would have corrected this behavior without the need for paid school administrators to teach simple manners and appropriate behavior. Spoiled brats." My post...so let me clarify for those who don't "get it". This post is about PARENTAL responsibility, assuming most of the students involved are minors. Why is it that a public school employee(s) has to step in to do a parent's job? Public education is financially challenged enough. The employees should not have to take on parental roles. it starts in early elementary and continues through the system. When did parents hand over the responsibility of raising their children to school employees? And then as we have heard before, complain that the school mistreats their child! Parents condoning this behavior spoil their children. Spoiled brats = children who are rude and uncivil. Parents, school employees have enough to deal with. Give them a BREAK!
YPboyWRheart
Tue, Oct 11, 2011 : 9:39 a.m.
"Not racially tinged.' Rob White said. That's a joke. How about the orange out at the Ypsi game. Students and cheerleaders with orange on. Orange ribbons in the cheerleacers hair and the coach. Orange the color of convicts. Middle school told me I don't know what it's about,it's racial.
7718
Tue, Oct 11, 2011 : 7:53 p.m.
So, all schools with orange in their colors are racist? Better not Illinois, Clemson, Tennessee, etc in the big house.
Von
Tue, Oct 11, 2011 : 6:44 p.m.
You realize the students were all wearing neon, right? Orange happens to be a large part of the neon color spectrum.
Kara H
Tue, Oct 11, 2011 : 12:53 p.m.
Ok, I'll bite. What's wrong with orange?
YPboyWRheart
Tue, Oct 11, 2011 : 9:57 a.m.
Rave color? Worn at diverse student bodies. ORANGE=racist color. Wake up Saline.
UlyssesSwrong
Tue, Oct 11, 2011 : 4:52 a.m.
Saline does this because they're a small country town compared to Ann Arbor, and getting hyped up at a trivial thing vs. Ann Arbor like this is a highlight for them. There's not much to do there, in other words. So when they take their fancy 20 minute trip to Ann Arbor for an athletic event, it's like a release for them to say 'hey look we beat Ann Arbor in something!'.
UlyssesSwrong
Sun, Oct 16, 2011 : 4:30 p.m.
@Good Music176 You're kidding, right? Most people in Saline will even tell you they don't agree with what you said, which is why they come to Ann Arbor all the time. @KJMClark No, you tried to use what I said in a different context and you failed. Pioneer did that to Skyline because they're in-town rivals. Saline is not a rival for Huron, Huron's only rival is Pioneer. Skyline is a new school with no established rivalries (yet). @Collin Stauder It's 20 minutes for me where I live, unless you live in the southern part of town. @7718 Yes it is, but I got it from Google image search to lampoon the gun nuts that post here in the AnnArbor.com comments (those gun nut posters probably are at least composed of 3 or 4 Saline-eers).
7718
Tue, Oct 11, 2011 : 7:51 p.m.
You have all the answers, is that a picture of a baby posing with a gun? Great upbringing for him...
Von
Tue, Oct 11, 2011 : 6:46 p.m.
Dude, I live in Ann Arbor and went to Saline.
lionsfan21
Tue, Oct 11, 2011 : 5:30 p.m.
Saline is a little closer to ann arbor than you think. unless you ride a bike.
KJMClark
Tue, Oct 11, 2011 : 10:39 a.m.
What about when Pioneer did it to Skyline at Skyline's homecoming this year? Is there not much to do in Ann Arbor, so it's a release for Pioneer to win???
Good Music176
Tue, Oct 11, 2011 : 5:03 a.m.
Beating A2 sports is both easy and very enjoyable. Saline education surpass all, and the overall school and town is WAY above anything in Ann Arbor. Nice try though!
Doesn't Matter
Tue, Oct 11, 2011 : 4:47 a.m.
Honestly you all need to leave Saline alone, it is a much better school then any ann arbor schools or any other surrounding schools will ever be. Just because the kids there get a better education than yours doesn't mean you have to be talking smack about it. They have wonderful athletic programs that are continuing to rise. I have seen double the violence through the Ann Arbor schools then ever before at Saline. Kids will be kids and yes I agree, now a days the younger age generation has started doing things that wouldn't of been thought of back in the day. So back off saline and worry about your own kids in your own community.
Good Music176
Tue, Oct 11, 2011 : 4:25 a.m.
Look, I lived in Saline for 3 and half years and graduated from the school also. I've lived in 4 different places other than Saline and been around a lot of different type of people. I can EASILY say that Saline is the nicest place I have ever lived in. Sure, it has its problems, but name me ONE city that doesn't have pro's and con's. All of you Ann Arbor people are sorry, and not even worth of a response. Saline does not have dirty players, matter of fact we have some of the most respectful players. Saline let a mentally handicap kid from Ypsi score as a respectful gesture towards him and his family. Many other players have told me how Saline has really respectful players. You all are grown people hating on some high school kids having fun?! You get a "C'MON MAN" for that. Saline kids are smart and respectful for the overall most part. Again, there are some rotten apples but every other school in this country does too. I mean I guess its fun talking smack online, Its one of my hobbies too! Never have to worry about getting repercussion in the real world and you can hide behind a keyboard! So much fun!
Buster W.
Tue, Oct 11, 2011 : 4:14 a.m.
Weren't 30+ Pioneer students busted in May for defacating all over Huron's athletic fields? Which is worse?
CincoDeMayo
Tue, Oct 11, 2011 : 12:37 p.m.
Over 30 of them? What a sight that must've been!!
aawolve
Tue, Oct 11, 2011 : 4:55 a.m.
Stop it, with your facts and logic.
Steve
Tue, Oct 11, 2011 : 4:12 a.m.
As a former Saline High School student athlete I have to say the actions described and the comments about these kids' character have shocked me. I have always had pride in my association with Hornet athletics and the teammates I had during my four years at SHS. As a parent of a Pioneer athlete, I have been impressed with the Saline students and parents I have come in contact with through sporting events and in the public. As a high school teacher, I know students (as well as some adults) will do stupid things that, given hindsight, they will never do again. Please give them a chance to show this incident does not define them. Students, please use the remainder of this season and the following seasons to show the public who you really are. Thank you Coach Crabtree, Coach Smith, Scooter, Curt, and all the other coaches/teachers/administrators for all you have done and all that you currently do for the students at Saline High School.
treetowncartel
Tue, Oct 11, 2011 : 3:42 a.m.
Go Lions!
leonkennedy74
Tue, Oct 11, 2011 : 3:38 a.m.
Annarbor.com has some of the most polarized and inappropriate writing staff that I have ever come across as a reader, and these comments by people such as John B. and Cash are wildly out of line as well. Categorizing the Saline student body as a bunch of violent people is stereotyping and profiling. You wouldn't go say that the Detroit schools are collection of thieves because they all live in poverty stricken areas. Grow up. On the issue of poor sportsman ship and conduct; I have been to football games where there have been more parents intoxicated, than there are number of students in the stands. I have been to games where referees have made references to the students grade point averages through the announcers or to other referees. I have been to games where religious and racial slurs have been used openly by adults in reference to the team members, and on multiple occasions, I have heard parents inciting violence among the teams. So to all the parents who think they can pass judgement on a bunch of kids, shame on you. Shame on you for trying to pass yourselves off as better than these kids, and shame on you for not setting the quality example. You want a culprit, look at yourselves. I think everyone here needs to get off their high horses and accept the fact that we've all been 17 and 18 at one point in time, and that malicious intent and comic relief are two vastly different things. Although potentially in bad taste, no property was damaged, no one was harmed, and there was no violence related to the incident. Name calling is such a juvenile behavior as well, and yes, I am explicitly referencing your comment Cash. You want to show that you're a better example than a group of kids, make your behavior something to model, instead of acting like you've just graduated Junior High.
Cash
Tue, Oct 11, 2011 : 10:31 a.m.
You miss the point completely. My post squarely places minor's responsibility on parents, not school employees. Reading comprehension.
lionsfan21
Tue, Oct 11, 2011 : 3:09 a.m.
I think it is incredibly inmature of grown adults to bash high school students on an event that was really just child play. And to single out Saline as a bad school district or community is absolutly obsurd and to nail all the kids as brats is pathetic. Take a step back and relax before you read a news article on annarbor.com or anywhere else. Also the comments about Saline student athletes being violent and dirty? That just sounds like rivals trying to stab rivals. No facts just trying to take a shot when you feel it convienient. Lets act like adults and realize this specific event was nothing major.
Von
Tue, Oct 11, 2011 : 4:18 a.m.
YMCM over everything.
.
Tue, Oct 11, 2011 : 3:06 a.m.
correct me if i'm wrong, but didn't pioneer students POOP and CUT UP TENNIS NETS? Didn't a few students from huron RUN OVER BABY CHICKS in their hummer? oh wait, that did all happen.. and just because saline SWEARS, and RUNS ON THE TRACK AT HALF TIME we get this article and a bunch of parents hating on us? i dont get it, all of you need to get your facts straight before you start commenting on here saying saline is such a bad city. oh and im pretty sure half of you that have commented on this, swear so dont be hypocritical.
Jim
Tue, Oct 11, 2011 : 2:57 a.m.
Do any of these Ann Arbor parents remember when the Pioneer and Huron students secreted bodily waste on the Skyline field? I would hardly say that they're anywhere close to the high standards that the people here seem to think fit them.
EyeHeartA2
Tue, Oct 11, 2011 : 1:15 p.m.
Clearly YOU don't. It was Pioneer kids that did the damage to both schools. <a href="http://annarbor.com/news/pioneer-high-school-senior-prank-defecating-vandalism/">http://annarbor.com/news/pioneer-high-school-senior-prank-defecating-vandalism/</a>
Silly Sally
Tue, Oct 11, 2011 : 9:43 a.m.
Yes, I do. Whatever hapened or did not happen at HHS last week pales when compared to that.
Susie Jones
Tue, Oct 11, 2011 : 2:57 a.m.
So the Ann Arbor parents get to make their kids who pooped on other peoples athletic fields, look like sweet little angels, cause Saline had a bump in the road.. Can you guys just get over it, and move on? This has been turned into a huge controversy which is not what the student section intended, and for anyone who thinks that a student wrote that apology is wrong. The way you all look at it, were all spoiled brats, and if we are, were gonna stick together, and be brats together. go hornets!
mgoblue12
Tue, Oct 11, 2011 : 2:51 a.m.
I am a Saline High School senior. I attend almost every football game, but due to homework, I missed last Thursday's game. I find it shocking that multiple adults are making such harsh stereotypes about Saline. It is simply not true that EVERY Saline teenager is rich and spoiled as mentioned above; comments like that that are simply made by an unimformed person, who is making a complete generalization. By doing that you are acting as immature as you are accusing my peers as being. The Saline student section was having a rave out as the "out" for the Huron game. During halftime it was decided that having a "rave"/dance party in the helmet would be fun. The kids were not trying to confront the players or Huron's student section. In retrospect was this a poor choice? I would say yes. I think I can speak for my fellow SHS students by saying it was not a good plan, they acted on impluse and didnt quite think it through. No one was hurt, and that was not the intention.It's not like they tried to burn the thing down. Honestly I think this has been BLOWN OUT OF PROPORTION. ALSO do not blame the parents for this... that is ridiculous. These kids are 16-18 mostly and are responsible for their own choices, they are practically adults. Is this anything NEARLY as major as the senior prank scandal at pioneer? ABSOLUTELY NOT. The parents posting negative comments about Saline probably made nasty comments about that too. If you are such a mature adult, DO NOT rip on teenagers you have never met. AND please do not stereotype about Saline as a city. There are plenty of wealth "spoiled" kids in Ann Arbor as well. Not everyone is stuck up and bratty. Most are actually quite down to earth and are extremely involved in the community, I am sure the same is probably true for Huron, Pioneer, and Skyline students.
Aaron
Tue, Oct 11, 2011 : 2:39 a.m.
I'm sorry, but there are some HUGE generalizations being made about all Saline teens here. I admit, there are some bad seeds in Saline, but there are bad seeds in every city, whether it be Saline, Ann Arbor, or Ypsi. Just because some teens made some bad decisions, doesn't mean that we are all violent, spoiled brats. That's another thing that I'd like to clear also, everyone in Saline isn't rich. Like in every city, there are people who are more well off than others. I'm just saying, some people need to think before they start to generalize about others. -Thanks, I hope this can all clear up soon
Marilyn Wilkie
Tue, Oct 11, 2011 : 1:43 p.m.
It seems like things have really gone downhill since the term "bad decisions" was foisted upon us all.
aMAIZEing
Tue, Oct 11, 2011 : 2:31 a.m.
I think everyone has forgot the incidents, I believe a year ago, when the Pioneer and Huron kids had their senior "scavenger hunt," in which they took a crap on Skyline's field, cut down the tennis nets at Skyline, etc. Also many incidents with the Huron rock. I'm not saying anything like the kids who did this are criminals, but what they did caused some damage, and cost money to fix. All kids will do something they know they shouldn't if it's in a group. I agree with the parent who said this is just kids being kids. Sure, what the Saline students did was wrong in some people's eyes, and I am in no way condoning it, but they harmed nothing. There were no marks left, no body got hurt, etc. Some of the cheers they do are vulgar, but when have you ever been to any sporting event and there hasn't been some vulgarity? This is being overreacted to. Kids will be kids, and not much we as adults can do will fix that.
EyeHeartA2
Tue, Oct 11, 2011 : 1:16 p.m.
I think YOU forgot as well. It was Pioneer kids that did the damage to both schools. <a href="http://annarbor.com/news/pioneer-high-school-senior-prank-defecating-vandalism/">http://annarbor.com/news/pioneer-high-school-senior-prank-defecating-vandalism/</a>
treetowncartel
Tue, Oct 11, 2011 : 2:12 a.m.
I see Saline is still made up of Momma Boys. Went to Huron in the 80's and they never would have tried this stuff outside of a controlled atmosphere back then, just like they won't today. Fly like a butter fly sting like a bee...
Von
Tue, Oct 11, 2011 : 4:01 a.m.
Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee... You are obviously missing the point here.
Boo
Tue, Oct 11, 2011 : 3:02 a.m.
Not sure what a "bridege" is but good luck with that...
Jim
Tue, Oct 11, 2011 : 3:01 a.m.
*butterfly
treetowncartel
Tue, Oct 11, 2011 : 2:49 a.m.
It is what is as they say.
Boo
Tue, Oct 11, 2011 : 2:40 a.m.
i was raised not to stereotype and act tough online. guess both of those were "right for you"
treetowncartel
Tue, Oct 11, 2011 : 2:36 a.m.
Nope, just saying I was raised right, and you?
colorguardmom
Tue, Oct 11, 2011 : 2:10 a.m.
While I agree that there are some "bad apples" in the Saline School District, it is hardly fair to lump everyone into the same pot. There are a lot of very intelligent, hard-working students and parents in Saline. Spoiled and Violent? Let's see.... the Saline marching band will not travel to Pioneer games anymore because the last time they went they were pelted with food and drinks. So let's be honest here - there are kids and parents in every community reading AnnArbor.com that are rude, violent jerks. Saline has their share as does Ann Arbor, Dexter, Chelsea, etc. I seem to recall a lot of Ann Arbor seniors getting into trouble last year. Those writing comments here should take care of their own before criticizing and name-calling others.
chad
Tue, Oct 11, 2011 : 11:37 p.m.
Is it illegal for parents over 21 to party in a private RV to drink? they obviously stand for every saline adult
Marilyn Wilkie
Tue, Oct 11, 2011 : 1:41 p.m.
This makes sense. It's not a Saline problem, but it's a societal problem. Those partying parents in the RV really didn't help though, did they?
whatsupwithMI
Tue, Oct 11, 2011 : 2:10 a.m.
Let us keep in mind the students were "given a lesson". This does not imply in any way that they _learned_ or _incorporated_ the lesson, or even a lesson learned.
Ted
Thu, Oct 13, 2011 : 1:46 a.m.
at the same time, it doesn't show they haven't learned a lesson, we won't find that out until friday
1bit
Tue, Oct 11, 2011 : 1:55 a.m.
"...the University of Michigan chant heard at kickoff that ends with 'you suck,'..." Of all the good things at Michigan Stadium this year, the "you suck" thing is not one of them. The chant of "Go Blue" works much better instead.
Evan
Tue, Oct 11, 2011 : 1:53 a.m.
Alright, pretty sure Ann Arbor schools aren't the hottest things in town. Saline is better then any other school around. There has never been any violence around saline, when It comes to gangs and things like that, there are none of it. You never hear about anyone getting shot in saline. So everyone needs to quit with the ignorant "VIOLENT TEEN SYNDROME." That's garbage, as a parent there are things you need to teach your kid, and if you don't, then you fail as a parent. People need to relax about this. All this hate toward saline kids, when the saline kids are probably cleaner then your kid as we know it. Stop being ignorant, and go to saline and try to find violence... Stupid people.
chad
Tue, Oct 11, 2011 : 11:35 p.m.
I agree. Saline is rated in the top 300 in the NATION in testing scores and number of kids taking AP classes. what a terrible highschool. those kids surely will have no future.
Mom in Town
Tue, Oct 11, 2011 : 1:46 a.m.
Hey Ann Arbor.com, how about posting the link to the very eloquent apology that was written in on this site a few days later from some of those same "spoiled" students. It is true that there are some very rude and crass students in the Saline district, but there are also some very mature and outstanding citizens there as well and believe it or not they do outnumber the bad apples.
mgoblue12
Tue, Oct 11, 2011 : 3 a.m.
EXACTLY there are spoiled kids in every district around here.
L'chaim
Tue, Oct 11, 2011 : 1:41 a.m.
It sounds more like a "lecture" than a lesson. Their bad behavior is being condoned. There should be CONSEQUENCES, darn it!
chad
Tue, Oct 11, 2011 : 11:34 p.m.
okay. saline will find 50 or 60 random students that may or may have not been there and suspend them for something they may or may have not done
SalineSara
Tue, Oct 11, 2011 : 1:37 a.m.
Is this the same student section that wore white shirts to support Ele's Place and release helium baloons? Is this the same student section that will wear pink for Breast Cancer awaremess this week? Is this the same student section that actually cheers with the cheerleaders something not observed in years? Is this the same student section that created a three way cheer between the band, cheerleaders, and student section? If certain behaviors have been lingering and deemd unacceptable by the school administration. an early season call to a few influential parents could have headed this off. Communication with parents never happened. My daughter has never had more fun at football games.
chad
Tue, Oct 11, 2011 : 11:33 p.m.
@Cash. dude you are so ignorant. my parents are very involved as are most parents. we have roughly 2000 students at SHS and maybe 50 or 60 in the student section. Im glad there are 50 or 60 parents not taking control in saline. that obviously represents the rest of us.
Cash
Tue, Oct 11, 2011 : 10:35 a.m.
Saline Sara, That is exactly my point. Parents have handed over authority of parenting to school employees. Is that really the fault of the school employees? I don't think so. Just my opinion.
djacks24
Tue, Oct 11, 2011 : 1:58 a.m.
And your examples have what to do with any demonstration of good sportsmanship exhibited by Saline....? Just because they release balloons, wear pink, and manage to cheer in unison has nothing to do with sportsmanship or conduct towards another team or students from another school.
thecompound
Tue, Oct 11, 2011 : 1:47 a.m.
Schools communicating with parents??? What planet are you from? ;)
Sallyxyz
Tue, Oct 11, 2011 : 1:31 a.m.
Students today are less and less civilized, whether in school or out of school. They are increasingly spoiled, do not have consequences levied for "bad choices" and are continually excused as "kids being kids." Guess what? Kids being kids leads to more serious delinquent behavior and without real consequences, continues the culture of "anything goes" and eventually lands some of these perps in jail. Bad choices indeed.
Marilyn Wilkie
Tue, Oct 11, 2011 : 1:36 p.m.
This has been going on since my generation started raising kids.
A2transplant
Tue, Oct 11, 2011 : 1:31 a.m.
Administration wanted to prove a point, so they forced the students to watch a video? How cold, distant and easily ignorable. In my day (oh, God, I can't believe I'm old enough to start saying that), when the school decided an issue was important enough to address to everybody, they had everyone assemble in the bleachers at the gym/cafeteria/other and spoke with us directly. Although we weren't enthused to get a talking-to, we did learn basic respect and social skills, this way. I know technology's the thing, now, but consider what lack of human connection and presence and interaction gets you. Just another angle to consider.
Ricebrnr
Wed, Oct 12, 2011 : 11:42 p.m.
hmmm, yes, bit preachy n'est pas?
chad
Tue, Oct 11, 2011 : 11:30 p.m.
i just ignored what you said about your new angle because its on a forum online. hypocrite
Marilyn Wilkie
Tue, Oct 11, 2011 : 1:35 p.m.
In all of my years at Ann Arbor High they never had to call the whole school together to chastise the student body as a whole, in the auditorium gym or by video. Maybe parents are so tied up in their careers and competing that they can't parent anymore.
Basic Bob
Tue, Oct 11, 2011 : 1:28 a.m.
It will be interesting to see if this "lesson" has lasting effect, or is just a smoke screen to show that the administration does not condone this behavior. Since the rest of the community thinks it is acceptable behavior, it is likely to continue unabated. Just imagine if one of the "Ypsi" people (actually Pittsfield) who attend Huron had taken issue and assaulted one of these little terrors. Fortunately, Huron kids have learned to ignore them.
Ted
Thu, Oct 13, 2011 : 1:42 a.m.
@basic bob its true that huron kids did not act out or do anything to try and cause a problem, at the same time there were a much larger number of saline students, and unfortunately this ends with a mob mentality. Yes the students should have known better, but it only takes a few of them acting inappropriately. You have to give credit to saline for having a very supportive student body at least
treetowncartel
Tue, Oct 11, 2011 : 2:16 a.m.
@dm61, why should it be a crime to move about the place in the first place? In the words of Rodney King, can' we all just get along?
Jimmy Olsen
Tue, Oct 11, 2011 : 1:46 a.m.
Hey Basic Bob...Just wondering what method you used to get your factoid that " Since the rest of the community thinks it is acceptable behavior, it is likely to continue unabated". Did you survey the community ? or it that just your ill formed opinion ? Since I am a part of the "rest of the community" and I do not think it is acceptable, you are wrong...
dm61
Tue, Oct 11, 2011 : 1:35 a.m.
Right, the Huron kids have learned to ignore the Saline kids so well that a group of Huron students went over to the Saline student section to try to get a reaction from the Saline students before the field was rushed. So I think you are looking at this the wrong way. The "little terrors" from Huron are lucky that the Saline student section didn't assault them when they crossed over to the visitor's stands.
Basic Bob
Tue, Oct 11, 2011 : 1:30 a.m.
And if anyone gave a lesson in sportsmanship, it would be the Huron students.
Engineer
Tue, Oct 11, 2011 : 1:04 a.m.
Is this not the same school where parents were drinking on school ground on the party bus at prom? the apples do not fall far from the tree. If I remember right all the parents were mum and no punishment was handed out at all. Saline schools basically turned the blind eye. Apparently they attended the Jim Tressel school of ethics.
Jimmy Olsen
Tue, Oct 11, 2011 : 1:51 a.m.
@Engineer - I wonder how many parents drink on Pioneer High School property before a UM game ?? SInce it is against state law to drink on public school property. I guess the apples fall all over Ann Arbor, also. Clean up your own backyard. Talk about blind-eye - open just one of yours.
rusty shackelford
Tue, Oct 11, 2011 : 1:01 a.m.
Gotta love all the adults talking trash over kids' sports. I'm waiting for someone to start yelling "MCMAYNERBERRY!"
Cash
Tue, Oct 11, 2011 : 12:32 p.m.
Glad to "see" you again!
rusty shackelford
Tue, Oct 11, 2011 : 11:37 a.m.
Hey, I've been around; not as much I suppose. You can only wrestle with pigs for so long, right? (Present company excluded, obviously)
Cash
Tue, Oct 11, 2011 : 10:36 a.m.
Rusty...where have you been? haven't seen you in ages! :-) Actually this is more about parental responsibility IMO. Schools should not have to raise kids. Parents need to step up.
pluto77
Tue, Oct 11, 2011 : 12:54 a.m.
Growing up farming and having played high school football in Saline, all I can say is every now and then you have to thump a few melons to find a ripe one. Especially in Ann Arbor.
thecompound
Tue, Oct 11, 2011 : 12:49 a.m.
A real teachable moment would have been taking the "Win" away from the team.
thecompound
Wed, Oct 12, 2011 : 12:38 a.m.
@Chad, while i disagree with you that taking a win away would have no effect on the student section, I pretty much agree with the rest of what you wrote. I guess I am wondering, did people from Huron complain to the Saline administrators and that's why they addressed it? And I am still wondering about the whole "storming the field" thing, was it only bad because it didn't happen after the game? And how did AA.com find out about the video "teachable moment" anyway? So many questions....
chad
Tue, Oct 11, 2011 : 11:25 p.m.
1) Huron had no chance to win the game 2) taking away the win would have no effect on the student section 3) The administration did the right thing, even though most students will shrug it off there isn't much else they could do. they recognized it was a problem and let it be known. 4)ALL THAT HAPPENED WAS A BIT OF SWEARING AND KIDS WANTING TO DANCE! it wasn't the best of decisions but isnt being a teen about learning? you act as if you havnt screwed up in your life. cut them a break. nothing bad happened
Randi
Tue, Oct 11, 2011 : 3:27 p.m.
why is it the team's fault? they were playing their game. now you're getting into punishing the kids who aren't at fault, which is just as bad as people stereotyping all of saline, even though some of us aren't that way.
thecompound
Tue, Oct 11, 2011 : 2:14 a.m.
And you don't think a little peer "pressure" from the players on those students would do anything? I wasn't there so I can't judge the behavior. Right or wrong, my beef is with the administration falling all over themselves patting each other on the back for their "teachable moment" solution, lol.
Evan
Tue, Oct 11, 2011 : 2:04 a.m.
That would do absolutely nothing. The players didn't do anything. It was the other students. Taking away the win would do nothing.
dm61
Tue, Oct 11, 2011 : 1:53 a.m.
@thecompund, I'm not exactly sure if it is considered ok to storm the field after a game, but I've seen it done with no repercussions. From my understanding the issue here was that it occurred during the game (halftime as you said). I'm not sure about the Pioneer v. Skyline game as I was not there. I still maintain that nothing wrong was done here, I could understand if there had been players on the field getting ready for a play or if it had occurred during the middle of a play, but this occurred as the players were exiting for halftime. It really shouldn't be that big of a deal. People need to calm down and let the student section be. I have attended most of the Saline games this season (I normally don't interact with the student section), and I have yet to be bothered by their team spirit.
thecompound
Tue, Oct 11, 2011 : 1:43 a.m.
@dm61, I am confused about this whole "storming the field" issue. Was it a problem because it was during the game (half-time)? I could be wrong, but I had heard (and perhaps my teen "source" is not relialble, lol) that Pioneer students did this at Skyline after they won the game. If this is true, is it acceptable to do it after the game or was that unsportsmanlike also (again, if it is true. if it is not true, then generally speaking)?
dm61
Tue, Oct 11, 2011 : 1:31 a.m.
The administration is doing the politically correct thing to do, just so it can try to dial the heat down over the incident. The sad fact is that there should be no heat over this incident at all. It was an innocent joke, which was not meant to cause any harm. The video is not going to have any effect, and if you really think crying foul here on AnnArbor.com is going to have an effect I have a bridge in New York to sell you. The simple fact is that people are overreacting to this and need to move on. The student section did nothing wrong.
thecompound
Tue, Oct 11, 2011 : 1:28 a.m.
Well then the administration shouldn't be puffing their chests thinking their little 6.5 minute video is going to have any type of effect. And the thing about peer pressure that someone mentioned before, it cuts both ways. Sure it would suck for the team, i'm just saying if you're going to take a hard line, take a hard line.
dm61
Tue, Oct 11, 2011 : 1:25 a.m.
I'm going to agree with Ted on this. Even if you view what the student section did as wrong (which it wasn't), you can't blame the players for the behavior of others. It's not as if the players were out actively encouraging the student section to rush the field.
Ted
Tue, Oct 11, 2011 : 1:01 a.m.
why? the team didnt do anything, the team never said they approved of what the student section does, the team works hard 5 days a week during season and conditioning year long and does not deserve to be punished for something nobody on the team did, there was a party about a week ago, kids were caught drinking, some on the team, they were quickly kicked off with no hard feelings from anyone. so if the team does it, they will more than happily take the punishment. Don't punish them for something they did not do
Ted
Tue, Oct 11, 2011 : 12:42 a.m.
Please do not let these kids define saline, it is really disappointing that we still must stereotype about everybody from saline. Not all of the students here are like that, and I ask you not to judge them on how they acted, but how they act now that they know what they have done is wrong. I honestly believe that the student section should have been punished in some way earlier before it escalated to this. You cannot honestly say your kids or the youth of your town have never done anything bad, and I'm sure you wouldn't think less of them if they changed their ways. As far as insulting the parents go, a parent can only do so much, peer pressure is a powerful thing. I do not think what they did was right in anyway, but please do not judge them on their poor decisions when there was no consequences before.
John B.
Mon, Oct 10, 2011 : 10:56 p.m.
When my kids played high school and travel sports locally, the Saline teams were almost always the dirtiest, most physically violent, and most-prone-to-cheat teams that they faced. In one Varsity soccer game, a Saline player sucker-punched an AA Pioneer player, breaking multiple bones in his cheek. Just par for the course for Saline. There were major incidents involving Saline parents, as well. That type of conduct was condoned, or at least tolerated, from the Athletic Director on down the line. I saw it time after time. No significant consequences ever occurred. This incident suprises me not one bit.
Tyler
Wed, Oct 12, 2011 : 1:23 a.m.
@7718 You got your foot stepped on during a football game?!? When I played football I got my feet stepped on almost every other play, it happens, it's football.
chad
Tue, Oct 11, 2011 : 11:18 p.m.
How does Saline cheat? in any sport it is made nearly impossible to do so. thats why we have something caled...oh i dont know...referees
7718
Tue, Oct 11, 2011 : 8:18 p.m.
Yes they play dirty! I once got my foot stepped on in a football game against them.
KJMClark
Tue, Oct 11, 2011 : 10:42 a.m.
Pioneer ran onto Skyline's field last month.
Dan
Tue, Oct 11, 2011 : 4:29 a.m.
This is ignorant and stupid I will leave it at that generalizing a school based on one kid at a soccer game because we all know that there is a lot more behavior issues at Pioneer than Huron
Boo
Tue, Oct 11, 2011 : 2:29 a.m.
Just FYI and not trying to justify his action in anyway, but the student on the soccer team who punched the other kid had just lost his best friend due to suicide. I heard the kid who was punched made a reference to that before he was hit. Not trying to justify it but just pointing out there's two sides to every story..
Charlie Brown's Ghost
Tue, Oct 11, 2011 : 12:17 a.m.
Second that. The parents of a Saline baseball travel team this past year had a reputation around the league for being the worst behaved around. In one game the coach committed a rules violation, and then the parents got mad and vocal at our team instead of their own coach, who didn't know the rules. Then the rest of the season the coach wouldn't shake hands with our coaches. It was amazingly bad behavior, especially considering the example the parents and coach were setting.
dm61
Mon, Oct 10, 2011 : 10:51 p.m.
This is simply an overreaction to kids being kids. The one thing I will always despise about Saline is the countless community members who are oh-so morally superior to the rest of us mortal beings. Seriously calm down regain perspective, and realize that this was just a group of kids having a good time. They did not hurt anyone or anything, they did not intend to hurt anyone or anything, had they caused any damage or injury or had they intended to I could understand the outrage towards this incident, but as this article points out no one was hurt and nothing was damaged, so calm down people; save your moral outrage for something else. As for parents who say that the language used by the student section is in bad taste or is inappropriate for young children, please realize that you can not shelter your kids from the big bad world forever. They will hear swearing, they will see crass gestures, and yes they will even eventually use them (I promise you this is true). There is no reason to have a minor breakdown over it, just deal with it and accept that you will not be able to censor all of society. I will agree that the student section can be rather crass, but that's part of being at a sporting event, people become crass and they let loose; if you don't like it don't attend. Lastly, I can't help but laugh at the idea that Ben Williams and the rest of the SHS administration turned this into a "teachable moment." Don't think that for one minute any member of the student body took this little PSA seriously (except for the morally superior "goody two-shoes" students who will do anything to be in the good graces of the administration). I'm willing to bet that there were many students chuckling under their breath at the absurdity of this video, and I'm also willing to bet that it won't phase the student section for the last two games of the season. So in conclusion, calm down people and realize that kids will be kids.
djm12652
Tue, Oct 11, 2011 : 6:25 p.m.
sorry, kids being kids without a clue ito manners and acceptable sportmans behavior is just a lack of upbringing.
Chicagobob
Tue, Oct 11, 2011 : 3:06 p.m.
It sounds like you need to grow up - just like the Saline kids do. If you are a parent, I hate to think of what kind of role model you must be to your kids. Shameful!
Marilyn Wilkie
Tue, Oct 11, 2011 : 1:31 p.m.
dm61, those comments that you objected to were right on the money. It's tiresome to read about all of the escapades of Saline's "kids" all of the time. But then I remember the articles about the parents partying in the RV on school grounds with the kids and it becomes clearer.
Jeff Renner
Tue, Oct 11, 2011 : 3:31 a.m.
"... I'm also willing to bet that it won't phase the student section ..." Faze.
mgoblue12
Tue, Oct 11, 2011 : 3:03 a.m.
truer words have never been spoken.
dm61
Tue, Oct 11, 2011 : 2:14 a.m.
@Tesla, one can question someone in a much nicer way than stating that a person is a delinquent because of the views they hold (as you did). And yes I do think what the SHS students did is perfectly acceptable, in fact I kind of hope they do it again just so everyone on here can get the panties in a twist again. All I'm saying is that people need to calm down and realize that a practical joke isn't going to hurt anyone. So what the field got rushed. It's not like someone got assaulted. Just suck it up and deal with it. The student section swears. So what? 99% of people have probably let slip a few choice words in front of their kids at sometime or another. People swear, deal with it. All I'm saying is stop acting like these kids went and killed someone, they pulled a stupid yet amusing stunt, it's not like they're all destined to become murderers because of it, yet everyone acts like that is the case. @djacks24, ok so there are some jerks who attend/attended SHS I will admit that, but the fact that a group of SHS students rushed the field doesn't automatically make them all snobby little jerks. You're rushing to judgement.
Tesla
Tue, Oct 11, 2011 : 1:40 a.m.
DM. It's kind of neat how you think the comments in here are arguing and attacking you when all anyone is doing is questioning your opinions, yet you think what the Saline children did was ok. Of course maybe I am just a kid being a kid.
djacks24
Tue, Oct 11, 2011 : 1:24 a.m.
"I am however a recent graduate of SHS. " Believe me when I say this point of view coming from this source does not surprise me a bit. I've dealt with wave after wave of SHS students and recent grads over many, many years in my having spent nearly 20 years as a dedicated 5 day a week weightlifter at the Saline Rec center. There are a very few well behaved ones that frequent the weight room once in a great while, however most have no consideration for anyone else who may be sharing the facility with them. Never rack their weights or put away their equipment. Usually drop weights from about hip level breaking and bending barbells and dumbbells. Very obnoxious, making unnecessary noise when doing sets, and I mean above and beyond what even the strongest and most intense lifters make. Worse part of it is that rec center leadership and staff literally leave it to members to remind these kids of the rules. I was always vocal whenever I seen this behavior. Some kids would learn and listen. Others would take constant reminding. Others would look at me like I'm a jerk and not bother at all until I blocked the exit until they did put their weights away. If I wasn't 250lbs and built like a linebacker, I doubt any them would've even considered listening. Eventually I got tired of the students and rec center politics and moved on from the joke of a rec center and am much happier now, in Ann Arbor.
dm61
Tue, Oct 11, 2011 : 1:22 a.m.
No one is arguing, right. That's why comments like these were made in reply to my post: "Keep up the "kids will be kids" line right up until they run over some ducklings!" "This post just points out that there are seriously delinquent parents out there." "Parents do generally set the example and expectations for their children. Some set high expectations...some low expectations. Some none at all, just excusing bad behavior because other kids do the same thing. Hope they have lots of bail money later in life." Doesn't sound like anyone is trying to argue with me or attack me at all does it?
Tesla
Tue, Oct 11, 2011 : 12:57 a.m.
Then I guess we can count your view from the students perspective. It needed to be clarified because it reads like it's from a parent with a vested interest. The fact that it is written by a recent graduate is important to the discussion and topic. No ones arguing. Why are you so angry?
dm61
Tue, Oct 11, 2011 : 12:47 a.m.
I'm not a parent and I'm not an SHS student, I am however a recent graduate of SHS. So now you may begin your "oh it's just a young adult with no life experience, their input is obviously irrelevant" posts. I don't see the point in arguing any further, so I'll let all of you and your moral superiority be. Have a good night.
Tesla
Tue, Oct 11, 2011 : 12:30 a.m.
After a re read I have to believe that is written by a Saline High School student. It can't possibly be written by a Saline parent. Can it?
Tesla
Mon, Oct 10, 2011 : 11:53 p.m.
This post just points out that there are seriously delinquent parents out there. Amazing.
Cash
Mon, Oct 10, 2011 : 11:38 p.m.
Parents do generally set the example and expectations for their children. Some set high expectations...some low expectations. Some none at all, just excusing bad behavior because other kids do the same thing. Hope they have lots of bail money later in life.
Anonymous
Mon, Oct 10, 2011 : 11:22 p.m.
Kids will be kids when they have no parental input. So you are one of those parents? Seriously people, kids need to learn to be responsible for their behavior and it's the responsibility of us parents to teach them right from wrong. Keep up the "kids will be kids" line right up until they run over some ducklings!
Edward R Murrow's Ghost
Mon, Oct 10, 2011 : 9:44 p.m.
Fan behavior at all levels of sport is becoming more and more disgusting. Bill Martin is to be commended for his hard line regarding student behavior at UM hockey games several years ago (behavior that had come to rival that of OSU "fans" at the "shoe"). And the problem is that TV glorifies this behavior--Dick Vitale's love affair with the "Cameron Crazies" being one of many examples. I wish the administrators at SPS luck on this one. I fear they are fighting an uphill battle. Good Night and Good Luck
Ted
Thu, Oct 13, 2011 : 1:34 a.m.
@ cash maybe after this some of the parents did punish them, that is something that we will never know, i honestly feel that a parent letting their kid go to a high school football game by themselves is a perfectly reasonably thing to do, especially when they are 17 and the age of an "adult" (as in legally)
1959Viking
Tue, Oct 11, 2011 : 8:19 p.m.
I am a Duke alumni and would like to challenge a point made here. As a "Cameron Crazie" we spent time looking up hometowns, birthdays, kind of cars owned, etc. to try to distract and get under the skin of opposing players. Coach K never tolerated vulgarity, once during the UNC/Duke game as Duke pulled away we started the chant "Over rated." Coach K walked out onto the court yelling "No we're overrated" pointing at his chest. Fans may be becoming less civilized but don't pin the blame on Duke.
Randi
Tue, Oct 11, 2011 : 3:25 p.m.
I would just like to say thank you for not putting it all on Saline and owning up to the fact that it happens across the whole country. So thank you.
A2comments
Tue, Oct 11, 2011 : 11:10 a.m.
"Fan behavior at all levels of sport is becoming more and more disgusting. Bill Martin is to be commended for his hard line regarding student behavior at UM hockey games several years ago (behavior that had come to rival that of OSU "fans" at the "shoe")." While you might commend Bill Martin for this action, his shoving of a student employee and other behavior related to that was reprehensible.
Edward R Murrow's Ghost
Tue, Oct 11, 2011 : 12:37 a.m.
Certainly would help, Cash! GN&GL
Cash
Mon, Oct 10, 2011 : 11:40 p.m.
Hi Ed, I guess parents could step in and take away the keys to the Hummer.