Reaction to `Waterboy' is shameful
Letter to the Editor
Never before have we been so appalled by wanton stupidity as by that which the students have recently displayed. We are personally ashamed of the recent behavior exhibited by the students of this wonderful university. Not because they are the most tenacious smack-talkers this side of New York. Not because they create cartoons that are funny while being absolutely, positively NOT racist in any way, shape or form. Not even because they change the possible outcomes of games by hurling refuse on to the field of play.
No, not even the latter. What makes us ashamed of the student body is its reaction to one student's rash decision to throw an empty water bottle on to the court during Wednesday night's basketball game against Syracuse. The students have blamed the loss exclusively on the thrower — and he has suffered for it.
First of all, blaming the loss entirely on the thrower is completely asinine, as he only changed the possible outcome. What if the foul had not occurred? Murphy may not get a chance at a three and we'd still lose. One can't attribute final outcomes in reality to "what-if" scenarios that could radically change the path of the outcome.
Does the thrower's rash act of civil disobedience warrant death threats? Does it warrant perpetual threats of being beaten? Does it warrant threats and harassing phone calls made to his parents? His parents, for God's sake! (Rumor has it they had to shut down their phone to escape the calls.) The thrower can't go to his room anymore; he's staying elsewhere to avoid being harassed. His roommates no longer have the use of a phone due to the inability to escape the perpetual stream of malevolent solicitations. Stanford locked its doors early this week to avoid lynchers coming and snooping. NDToday.com decided to temporarily take down its Voting Booth due to the stream of personal negativity. The list goes on and on. It's disgusting.
Everyone seems to be overlooking the fact that the thrower is a person and he didn't intend to cause such a ruckus. He made a simple mistake; he didn't consider the consequences of his action. Sure, he deserves some verbal berating in jest and perhaps a few harsh words, but nothing on the level to which the students have responded. It is quite honestly sickening to watch how quickly the students can turn on one of their own. Have a little class.
And a word to the "outraged" alumni. Get off your high horse already. Notre Dame isn't the place where you went to school; it has changed. Get over it. It won't forever be exactly as you remember it. Just because the face of the University changes that doesn't mean we are no longer "a cut above." The students are still great fans — we just have a few "Leave-It-On-The-Court" issues to deal with.
The thrower is not a bad person. The students have not done anything on the court that deserves the scrutiny that they have received recently. Just remember to act with a little more class after the game has ended. It is, after all, just a game.
Ryan Moodie
Sophomore
St. Edward's Hall
Anhtuan Do
Sophomore
Keough Hall
March 3, 2000
All Viewpoint Stories for Monday, March 6, 2000
