Nick Geddes
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Several students at a Kansas high school were ejected from the school’s basketball game Tuesday night for chants deemed to be poor sportsmanship.
Not an obscene chant or gesture, nor a racial remark — instead, it was a word that’s commonplace in arenas across the country: “airball.” Blue Valley Northwest High School did indeed eject students for chanting the phrase at a Blue Valley High School student-athlete, after he didn’t hit net on a free throw attempt.
“A school administrator just came up and told us it was time to go, and we needed to get out,” ejected student Chris Daniel said Thursday, via FOX4 News. “I understand what they’re trying to do and enforce the rule so it’s a friendly environment, but at the same time, I think there needs to be some change.”
You wouldn’t believe it, but there’s actually a stated rule that prohibits the chant of “airball.” Per Kansas State High School Activities Association (KSHSAA) Rule 52, “airball” is one of the phrases that’s labeled as poor sportsmanship.
Jeremy Holaday, KSHSAA Associate Executive Director, explained to FOX4 News why the rule is in place and why the chant warrants an ejection.
“If you can see something’s brewing here, something as simple as yelling “airball,” can set this off to the next level, that could create even worse damage,” Holaday said. “We have to be mindful of that and stop it as soon as we can.”
The Blue Valley School District released its own statement defending the rule that’s in place.
“Students, families and our community are an important part of the “game day” experience for our high school activities and athletics. We expect that our school communities represent themselves and our schools in a positive way during these events,” the statement reads. “This includes following KSHSAA expectations around sportsmanship, as well as the common expectations for student sections that Eastern Kansas League student leaders agreed upon at a student summit this fall.”
Photo courtesy of KSN-TV in Wichita, Kansas.
Follow Nick Geddes on Twitter @NickGeddesNews and on Instagram @nick.geddes.
Got it…..if the opponent scores you must cheer for them as well to represent your school in a positive way. If your opponent is shooting a free throw you must not make any noise since it will look bad for our community. I have a solution for the Kansas State High School Activities Association…….just cancel competitive sporting events. Problem solved!!!!!!
Woke=Pussies
Well Said!!
BLM and Antifa torch cities, kill people, and over run police stations with no consequences but, my God, don’t you dare yell “airball” at a high school basketball game or there will be hell to pay.
The January 6th Domestic Terrorist Attack on the Capitol has nothing to do with this. Stick to sports.
WTF are u taking about Ball?? Jan 6th?
You are as big of POS as the dumbasses who kicked the students out of the game.
Obviously you are some looser. Bet you didn’t finish HS.
Your momma’s a terrorist.
You completely miss the point, nitwit. Stick to your racist rants and conspiracy theories.
Yep, can’t make noise when someone is shooting free throws, can’t make noise when a kid is batting or pitching.
Player might lose his concentration. Cheerleaders don’t even cheer any more, just stand there shaking their Pom Poms. No more Go, Fight, Win. Someone might be offended.
It’s ridiculous. It’s no wonder so many kids are soft.
The guy that made this decision still has nightmares from the air ball he put up in the H.S. championship game. His therapy has never ended.