SPORTSMANLIKE CONDUCT
Consequences follow behavior
An alleged Hightstown student called with his complaint about a column published here about his school’s basketball game against Trenton Central High School.
“I thought it was distasteful. You’re talking about a group of students,” he said.
The antagonistic teen delivered a direct hit on the situation. Yes, talking about a group of students who should understand that certain behaviors will never receive toleration here, whether it’s Hightstown students booing cheerleaders or a black Trenton High fan hitting a white kid in the head with a half-empty soda can.
No favorites exist here. Better that you learn about life as a young person then to end up halfway down the road of life not understanding that consequences follow behavior.
If this alleged Hightstown student wants the soft serve of life then line up for free Rita’s Water Ice on the first day of Spring. People who need coddling should head home to mommy and daddy.
Those Rams fans who booed Trenton High cheerleaders obviously were put in check by school officials who stopped the rude behavior.
Furthermore, the ten or so Hightstown fans who found seating near the Tornadoes cheerleaders in the Trenton High section should have been tossed out of the gymnasium.
Even though a Hightstown official attempted to reason with the malcontents (see photo from Sunday Trentonian) it’s difficult to reason with unreasonable people.
Scott Peck, author of “The Road Less Traveled,” begins his self-help publication with this insight.
“Life is difficult. This is a great truth, one of the greatest truths. It is a great truth because once we truly see this truth, we transcend it. Once we truly know that life is difficult — once we truly understand and accept it — then life is no longer difficult.”
Announcers deliver a set of criteria before each New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association basketball contest.
“There will be no tolerance for negative statements or actions between opposing players and coaches. This includes taunting, baiting, berating opponents, trash-talking or actions which ridicule or cause embarrassment to them. Any verbal, written or physical conduct related to race, gender, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation or religion shall NOT be tolerated, could subject the violater to ejection, and may result in penalties being assessed against your team.”
Those remain the rules in Hightstown, Trenton and throughout Garden State high school events. Those who refuse to get with the program will find themselves on the outside looking in.
L.A. Parker is a Trentonian columnist. Reach him at laparker@ trentonian.com.