UPI
Wednesday, January 24, 2007
A Wisconsin high school has banned the apparently patriotic
cheer U.S.A., U.S.A., saying that for many students it is shorthand
for a vulgar insult. Baraboo School Board President Kevin Vodak
said the ban was approved after the district got complaints from
athletic rivals about a handful of students engaged in unsportsmanlike
behavior in the stands, the Baraboo News Republic reported.
But many parents, students and coaches say that the ban has
had an unfortunate effort on school spirit. One parent said the
stands were disconcertingly quiet at a recent boy's basketball
game.
It's really sad because we went to the game on Monday night and
the students never peeped the entire time, she said. Truly, they
have been having more fun when they are not in their home gym
because they can cheer.Baraboo High School Principal Michell Schwarz
said that the double-entendre meaning of U.S.A. is not something
officials made up. Most of the kids are aware -- in fact, the
kids are the ones who told us, he said.
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