Ryan ChartrandAfter Cal Poly men’s soccer team’s loss to Santa Barbara on Oct. 17, the talk should have been about a classic game that renewed a rivalry between two powerhouse teams. But attention was averted from the 1-0 double-overtime defeat to the unruly Cal Poly fans that made a scene on national television.
Many of us have mixed alcohol and athletics, but throwing bottles on the field to alter the game is not exactly what I had in mind. Sure, some described our record-setting 11,075 fans as “passionate” and “exuberant” but I have another adjective for the select group of fans – stupid.
When UCSB forward Chris Pontius scissor-kicked a cross from forward David Walker into the corner of the net 10 seconds into the second overtime, I barely had enough time to ask, “Hey what happened?” I think the Mustangs were asking the same question.
To open the second overtime, Cal Poly fans proceeded to throw bottles at UCSB goalkeeper Kristopher Minton and spit from the stands. There was no question it was a physical game judging by the red card, three yellow cards and 15 fouls, but fan intervention was not what the Mustangs needed.
Referees stopped play just before the kickoff to address whistles and vulgarities from the south bleachers. Cal Poly fans began to litter the field with empty plastic bottles of alcohol. This stoppage of play changed the momentum of the game and virtually clinched a Gaucho win as the Mustangs watched the game slip away seconds after the second overtime commenced.
Either Cal Poly fans have watched too many brutal highlights of European fans during Premier League soccer or they wanted to pay tribute to the honorable Cleveland fans that used their plastic beer bottles as projectiles when they didn’t agree with a call during the Browns and Jaguars game in 2001.
There is no place for that in any athletic event. A few Cal Poly fans made a fool of the university and let down the team they so vehemently supported. Not to mention on national television.
UCSB players and fans weren’t much of a class act either. After the win, the Guachos ran across the field flipping off the Cal Poly fans.
This put Cal Poly head coach Paul Holocher in an uncomfortable and unfamiliar position as he addressed questions regarding fan control rather than analysis of the loss and upcoming match-ups. Yet he handled the situation with class during the Oct. 20 news conference.
A few things need to change after the poor athletic etiquette displayed during the game. I’m not recommending people pretend they’re at Augusta during The Masters, but things need to be done in moderation. For the upcoming game Nov. 5 in Santa Barbara, fans need to recognize how their actions may impact the game and let the player’s actions speak for themselves.
Security needs to better monitor crowd size and prepare for the massive amount of people that will attend the upcoming game, rather than let anyone attend in order to break the all-time attendance record.
It’s hard to believe any security was at the game when fans could bring in large, conspicuous bottles of alcohol. Let’s leave some of the pre-game festivities at home.
At the end of the game another fan asked one of my friends, “what happens now?’ after the Gauchos scored the winning goal. Fans, do some research before an event so you might be able to follow along.
That being said, it was very promising to see the throng of Cal Poly fans that created an electric atmosphere – at a soccer game no less. This speaks volumes about Cal Poly’s soccer program and the job that Holocher has done to make the Mustangs national contenders.
Cal Poly fans, I salute you for your support and enthusiasm, but in the words of Cal Poly Athletic Director Alison Cone, “we are above those antics.”
Alex Kacik is a journalism junior and a Mustang Daily reporter.