New Mexico State coach asks fans to curb foul language

[Harold F. Schiffman]

New Mexico State coach asks fans to curb foul language

ASSOCIATED PRESS

11:06 a.m. February 23, 2007

LAS CRUCES, N.M.  New Mexico State coach Reggie Theus loves the support
for his team from the home fans. But the coach doesn't like some of the
language, and he warned students during a pep rally that continued use of
vulgarities could result in having next season's Western Athletic
Conference tournament moved out of Las Cruces. There's a lot of haters out
there because they're used to seeing New Mexico State at the bottom, Theus
said Thursday.

He told students that some athletic directors at other WAC schools have
expressed concern about a chant containing a vulgarity. Aggies fans have
used it for at least the past 12 years after opponents shoot free throws.
WAC senior associate commissioner Jeff Hurd, who oversees the conference
tournament, said the league has a sportsmanship policy that calls for a
healthy environment for competition, free of a hostile atmosphere for
opponents. Penalties for violating the policy can vary from letters of
reprimand to monetary fines against member schools.

New Mexico State has a contract to stage the WAC tournament at the Pan
American Center next month and next season, but Hurd said presidents of
the nine WAC schools could vote to move the event if the sportsmanship
issue persists. The issue is the chant, Hurd said. It truly is a violation
of the sportsmanship policy and it will not be tolerated.

http://www.signonsandiego.com/sports/college_basketball/20070223-1106-bkc-theus-fans.html

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