I am very pleased that there is a group within the Notre Dame family that has decided to take it upon themselves to liven up the Notre Dame student body at home basketball games. It is great to see Notre Dame students cheering on their fellow students on the court.

However, a line must be drawn. Singling out individual players on the opposition's team and ridiculing them is ignorant and immature.

During the Notre Dame-Georgetown basketball game I, among many others, was disgusted to hear cheers that degraded the physical characteristics of a particular member of the Georgetown basketball team. This player was a large guy. According to the sheet of paper that was passed out by the Leprechaun Legion, he had gained a lot of weight since last season.

In order to try to get into this player's head the Leprechaun Legion decided it would be appropriate to make fun of his large stature. They passed out McDonald's sacks to most of the student section to wave in the air when this player was at the free-throw line. At one point in the game, the student body began to chant, "You're fat," while this player shot his free-throws directly in front of the student section.

Let me clue some of you in to something. Because another person is overweight does not mean that he or she does not deserve the respect given to any other person. In no way did that player deserve the ridicule that was cast upon him by Notre Dame students.

He was most likely embarrassed. Embarrassed because he knew that his friends and family were watching and hearing him being made fun of on national television.

However, he is not the one that is to be embarrassed. It is the Notre Dame family that is to be embarrassed. The Notre Dame family should be ashamed that certain members do not believe that everyone should be treated with a certain amount of respect. The Notre Dame family should be ashamed that certain members do not know the difference between cheering on their team and abusing the opposition.

Notre Dame is a special place. The Notre Dame family consists of special people. As students, we should act as though we are deserving of being affiliated with such a great place and such great people.

At basketball games get loud, be wild, have fun and be respectful.

Douglas Pope

sophomore

Sorin Hall

Jan. 22, 2002

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