Rooting and rioting - What's the connection?
(10-14-03) BOSTON, Mass. � Thought Boston fans now have to cope with heartbreak rather than hopefulness, Yankees and Marlins fans will likely have one thing in common: unbecoming behavior during the countdown to the World Series. During the playoffs, Boston saw up close and personal what happens on the streets when the Olde Towne Team come through with a big win � and it�s not pretty.
This week, Mayor Menino reacted to the violence and vandalism that went along with fan celebrations of Boston Red Sox wins, and last evening's heartbreaking loss, condemning the �few knuckleheads� who take the revelry one step too far.
�You won�t get rioters� attention until you start talking in terms of zero tolerance,� says Peter Roby, director of Northeastern University�s Center for the Study of Sport in Society, who has commented extensively on the link between rooting and rioting. �Those who dismiss sport-related rioting as a mere prank only encourage criminal behavior.�
Streets become a natural gathering place, particularly after games end, and regardless of the game�s result, mob-like behavior has come to be expected. Both alcohol and the perceived anonymity offered by a large crowd leave people feeling more free to break the law.
�People identify so strongly with these teams � especially an underdog team with fervent fans such as the Red Sox � and the competition gets so intense that fans commit acts of vandalism and violence as a way of showing their loyalty to the team,� notes Roby. �This behavior can be of even greater concern when a city�s team is pitted against a fierce and traditional rival. Fans believe their acting out shows that they are part of the team.�
A sports victory tends to bring people together but can also incite destruction from the few overzealous fans who feel an overwhelming sense of excitement and enjoy the adrenaline rush of damaging property or becoming physically violent. Of course, the same can happen when the team loses. Roby says that win or lose, the rioting phenomenon is one to be dealt with strictly.
�A message must be sent to the public that this behavior is unsportsmanlike and spoils the positive effects that sports have on society. We should all celebrate, but celebrate responsibly.�
About the Center for the Study of Sport in Society
The Center for the Study of Sport in Society at Northeastern University is one of the world�s leading social justice organizations that use sport to create social change both nationally and internationally. The flagship organization located in the heart of Boston, Mass. was founded in 1984 by Dr. Richard Lapchick and touts branches in Baltimore, Md. and Phoenix, Ariz. Through research, education, and advocacy the center promotes physical activity, health, violence prevention, and diversity among young people and college and professional athletes. Sport in Society�s innovative programs are all staffed by former college or professional athletes and have been awarded America�s most successful violence prevention program by Lou Harris, the Peter F. Ducker Award as the most innovative non-profit program in the social sector, and have been cited as the National Crime Prevention Council�s 50 Best Strategies to Prevent Violent Domestic Crimes. For more information please visit http://www.sportinsociety.org.
