Mr. Quarles: Common decency like common sense is not very common any more.
Several sources have rightly pointed out that lack of attendance at games is partially at fault for the Augusta Lynx's demise, and I agree.
But let me offer what I suspect is one of the prime causes for people staying away from Lynx games and other events at James Brown Arena. Several years ago I attended one of the Lynx games with my grandchildren.ÂI couldn't believe the foul, filthy language that fans in our vicinity were constantly yelling! We never attended another game.
Responsible families will not voluntarily put themselves in this type environment.
Could the Lynx management have done something to correct this? Maybe. They could have announced publicly (and in the Chronicle ) that such would not be tolerated at their games.
Maybe this would have caused some to stay home, but perhaps more would have appreciated this move and attended; hence, more attendance overall.
This will be considered naive to some, but I believe it is always best to err on the side of common decency.
Russ Quarles, Evans
Comments
Mr. Quarles: Common decency like common sense is not very common any more.
Fringe sports draw fringe people as fringe fans. Not enough "birds of a feather" to support hockey in Augusta.
PT, get your head out of your [filtered word] - hockey is not a fringe sport. There are no less than 4? 5? professional and semi-pro teams within reasonable driving distance from where you are now. You can probably see all of them from your high horse in fact.
Oh yeah, TomK. Everyone plays hockey and all of the local high schools have a hockey team. The ice that can be found at every tennis court makes for a good place to practice and everyone knows all of the hockey rules and goals of the game. Fringe sport? I think so. I think we can agree to disagree on the definition of reasonable and fringe.
Ok, TomK. So there are 4 or 5 hockey teams within driving distance of Augusta. I wonder how many dog-fighting pits there are within driving distance of Augusta? I think the letter writer may have a glimmer of truth in his letter. And Patricia is right, as usual.
There were many problems associated with Augusta hockey. The location, the dangerous environment outside that location, the cost of the tickets, the profanity at the games, the cost of the food & beverage, keeping a winning team....and the list goes on & on. No matter what, the lack of financial support did them in. Augusta is a fickle town and doesn't support many venues for very long.
14putt's last sentece hits the nail on the head...i play music, and i can promise you the public is fickle
How many hockey games did you attend pt?
Mr. Quarles, why did you and your family not sit in the family section where such actions are policed if you were so offended? The section has some of the best seats in the arena and I'm sure you would have been accomidated had you spoken up. There also was a big sign hanging in front of the section so you can't claim ignorance. Please, do tell us, what were the "foul and filthy words" that so offended you? I went to nearly every single home game and don't remember hearing too many words that would have been inappropriate for a family. It wasn't the goal song was it?
The current owners took an unusual step to placate the easily offended like Mr. Quarles by offering a Christian prayer before each game. We see how well that worked out.
Excellent letter. Precisely the reason we don't attend many sporting events. The boorish behavior of some fans makes it an ordeal instead of a pleasant way for the family to spend time together.
Russ that is the language of the uneducated, the language of todays people. I find it disgusting just like you and especially when I hear it coming a block away. Apparently there are a distinct section of society that thinks (sorry about that word) it is the proper language to use for their kids and anyone else. I don't know what the answer is, the police refuse to enforce the law so what are we to do?
The simple truth is that the city of Augusta failed to support a minor league franchise. The owners did not choose the location of the arena, nor should fans expect championships every year. The more fans that support a team usually means more funds to build a winning team. You can't have it both ways. And as for the ticket prices for minor league teams, I hate to inform the uninformed cheap fans that major league ticket prices are at least double if not triple minor league prices. The owners may have lost some cash, they were willing to lose, but the fans of Augusta lost many evenings of entertainment. And as for the worldly language, if you can't handle this language, stay in church.
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