On Saturday, November 12, Liberty University students engaged in an altercation with University of Delaware’s hockey team.
This was not OK, Liberty.
A group of students was taunting the UD team and coach behind the glass, which is normal for a hockey game. But this wasn’t the normal playful banter that the students like to engage in. It was rude and disrespectful. Words were thrown to the UD players from LU students and the encounter only got worse when a UD coach stepped in and sprayed the glass with a water bottle, which went through the cracks of the glass and landed on LU students. UD players and LU then started to throw words back and forth through the glass.
In my opinion, the UD coach could have handled that a lot better. But I understand where he was coming from. He was tired of LU students' taunting and rude comments. Trust me, I’m not making excuses for the coach. Both he and LU students were in the wrong.
The quarrel didn’t end there. Another UD coach threw a water bottle on the ice after a play had ended. LU students then started throwing cups and popcorn tubs over the glass.
That is not OK.
LU, it doesn’t matter how mad or irritated you get. Yes, this was a sporting event. Yes, you were angry. But as a Christian university, we are to be an example to the world. We are called to be hospitable in every area of our lives by God.
Upperclassman, be an example. Some students are away from home for the first time in their lives. They don’t have a solid figure to be an example for them…except you. Show them how a Christian should act and react to situations like these. Lead by example.
We not only host guests at sporting events and College For A Weekend, we also host the teams who come from all over the country. We are hosts. It does not matter how mad you are about a game or if someone did something against another student and you think you’re standing up for them. Being rude and disrespectful is never OK. Be nice. Literally, that’s all you have to do. You don’t have to cheer for the opposing team. You don’t even have to make a sound. Being hospitable in life isn’t a hard thing to do.
We’ve got a lot of work to do, Liberty. How is the world supposed to take us seriously if we engage in things like this?
To the students who were involved in this altercation: think about your words and actions before you react next time. I understand being angry. I was angry. But being angry doesn’t mean you have to be disrespectful.
And to the parents, CFAWs, and visitors, I am sorry. Our school did not hold up to our beliefs or our own standards on Saturday. It should not have happened. I am sincerely sorry that you had to witness that.
University of Delaware hockey team, I’m sorry our students antagonized and disrespected you and your coach. It was unnecessary and uncalled for. You guys played two great games this past weekend. Keep up the good work.
