A few weeks ago… in the first rant of the season… I criticized fans – and even coaches – for going after those working in game management for simple mistakes or not being quick enough on the draw.

I basically said that unless they were doing the job, back off.

This time, I am going to say a few things about some of those game management people. But I am not going to criticized them for the job the do… rather… for how they conduct themselves professionally.

I am in my 11th season as a public address announcer… and from my seat I have not only seen a lot of things… but also heard a lot of things.

I have announced primarily for Goucher College – my alma mater – and those working the table are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner.

That doesn’t just mean how they dress…but how they act… or should I say, don’t act.

But more and more I am seeing students and other game management personal either come to the sports and recreation center – or attends their own home games at other gyms – without the first thought of professionalism.

Now maybe I am old-fashioned (though I am certainly not old), but since when is the table the same as the bench?

The steadfast rule at Goucher has been that no matter what happens on the court, what calls are being made or not made, or how the fans, coaches, players, or referees react… we don’t!

Plain and simple.

We are there to do a job and we are to express no particular bias either way.

(Yes, for those of you wondering, there is an argument about public address announcers – we will cover that some other time.)

But in the last few years, from my seat next to the visiting book or others representing the visiting team, the conduct is more of a fan or a member of the bench than one of a professional.

Applauding the team or a player after each basket or great play…
Cheering on the team when they need to come up with a big play…
Vocally disagreeing with a referees call…
Clapping when a good thing happens for them… pounding the table and cursing when something goes badly.
I could go on… and on… and on… but I think you get my point.

I believe in what the first sports information director I ever worked with believed in. Kevin Fillman used to preach (and even had written on paper for everyone to read at each seat) that at no time would non-professional behavior – similar to what I gave as examples – be tolerated.

And that also went for how we dressed.

I wear a button-down shirt… dress pants… and a tie to each and every game I am at – whether it is a game no one is at… or the n-c-a-a playoffs.

The reason is simple… I am representing the athletic department… and in turn the school.

And that includes on the road. When I was a student traveling with teams for the sports information office… my attire was the same.

However, now-a-days it isn’t that surprising to see the person in charge of visiting team’s official book… wearing warm-ups and a t-shirt.

I am not saying everyone needs to dress up in a tie – even for their own home games – but, how about dressing at least in a way that represents your school appropriately.

This also goes for your behavior.

Don’t cheer your team on…
Don’t swear when something doesn’t go your way…
Don’t even clap or pound the table when the urge is there to do so.

You are working for the program… representing your school and athletic department… at what is supposed to be a working environment.
This means you are representing your school not only to fans who might be visiting your institution… but to those you are traveling to compete against.

This might be the reason people have trouble with some schools game management either at their facility or when they travel.

If they aren’t presenting themselves seriously or in a professional manner… why should anyone expect them to conduct themselves the same way.

Next time anyone reading this comes to Goucher and doesn’t present themselves in the same way the rest of the table does… don’t be surprised if the public address announcer turns to them and says something about it.