Cheering in the Clemson pressbox

So the vast majority of people who would ever be in a press box -- including SIDs, stat keepers, scoreboard operators, scouts, etc. -- agree to a rule that is part of CoSIDA's basic ethics and general professional, adult decorum and the question is why do sports writers feel so entitled?

Why doesn't my dentist want me turning on the game in his lobby and screaming at the TV when I can go watch it at the sports bar across the street? What's up his ass?

 

I would imagine if Dan's paper has a playroom set aside for workers to bring their children he would demand that his offspring be allowed to roam the newsroom freely and make as much noise as they do at home. Then, when confronted by his colleagues who expect to be able to do their work without the ruckus, Dan would tell them their sense of entitlement is unappealing.

 

That would be up to the person who runs newsroom, not me. In your example:

Person who runs newsrooms (editor or equivalent): person who runs press box.

Me: many reporters.

 

Why the fuck should my attitude change toward a long-standing CoSIDA and FWAA rule? The rule is in place for a good reason -- to give people (media, stat crew, SIDs, etc.) a quiet work environment free of the distraction of yelling fans, boosters, etc. Do I feel entitled to have that in place in a college press box? You're damn right I feel entitled to that. It's professional decorum.

 

I was next to the coaches booth last week at my game. They apparently didn't appreciate that I was tweeting their reactions to certain plays. Not specific quotes, mind you, but just the general "assistant coaches upset with that last play, to put it mildly." The whole thing was more funny than annoying to me.

 

Somehow we're still debating this even though people who run press boxes generally agree there should be no cheering.

So what if a boss allows some employees to run around the office like idiots, yelling and making it tougher for other employees to get work done. Just because the boss, who runs the office, is stupid or passive enough to let it happen doesn't mean anybody working there who doesn't like it is spoiled or "entitled."

I feel the same way about cheering in the concession stand as I do the press box. You're there to do a job and cheering can get in the way of that. It has nothing to do with journalism or journalistic entitlement or journalists failing to solve the larger problems of our industry.

 

One thing I want to add: I doubt if Dan has been physically or mentally injured by this discussion. Hey, many of us don't agree with him, but he'll live.

I still say "just because" simply applies in some cases, and this is one. Not that complicated to me.

 

There doesn't have to be a reason behind the rule except for courtesy. I didn't yell and holler when a repairman fixed my washer last week. I didn't let my kids bug him, either. It isn't out of line to expect a quiet working environment, or provide one.

 

Here's Dan in a library, talking loudly with someone.
Another person "shushes" Dan.
Dan: "It's not your library, you don't make the rules."
Then lcjjdnh comes along and says, "That's what's wrong with libraries. They haven't changed with the times. They're stuck in the good ol' days mentality, being quiet in a library 'just because.' "

 

I somewhat, but not completely, regret bringing "just because" into this because it can be turned on its head, as it has been.

 

Funny. But still off point.

 

And you know why, right?