"New"? Kal fans have been yelling over the national anthem since long before I started going to football games at Memorial Stadium in 1984. (Don't blame me - my parents are Kal alums.) Not only that, but the Weenies' version of the anthem follows in a long tradition of other sports fans doing the same; Baltimore Orioles fans yelling the word "O!" as the anthem begins is but one example. Bad sportsmanship? Personally, I don't think so; what the average fan yells to a ref is often more objectionable. And it's not like we at Stanford hold the anthem with the reverence it may deserve (As a former member of the LSJUMB, I can attest to an occasion when the Tree's mom asked us if we had played it poorly on purpose to protest the war). But bad fact-checking? Without a doubt. If one claims to have "grown up around" Kal fans, perhaps he should back it up with a even a smidgen of knowledge about their long-held traditions. Though I share the writer's conclusion that Kal fans infuse more than their share of bitter anger into the rivalry, his point would be better served if he presented evidence of actually having gone to even one Big Game himself.

Fans' actions can be on the border of funny and offensive, and sometimes they cross over. Do i think yelling over the national anthem is a bit over the top, yeah. I don't think Cal is alone in their bad sportsmanship, however. Stanford did do a halftime skit at BYU that involved polygamy, taking a jab at the Mormon faith.

Been to sports events lately? People shout all sorts of things over the national anthem, all over the country, in many different sports. I'm not one to defend the rabid Cal fans who do exist and who do disgrace their school, but I will say that this tradition, which is not new at all, is also not that unique, and altogether not that offensive.

True, I misspoke and polygamy is not part of the Mormon faith. However it was still offensive as it perpetuated an inaccurate stereotype. For more information check out the daily article from september 22nd, 2004 titled "Band’s Mormon-mocking halftime show leads to apologies, sanctions
Athletic Dept. apologizes, lets Band punish itself after field show that poked fun at polygamy"

Random Cal Fan--The Band may have its antics, but they stop them for the national anthem. The Band plays a beautiful version of the Star Spangled Banner, and the stadium is entirely quiet. It's a level of respect that Cal fans obviously can not understand.
Golden Bear--your ignorance is hilarious. Forget football. Have you ever seen a swim meet, soccer game, or basketball game at Stanford? I think not.

Not one to defend the new lyrics to the National Anthem, but this isn't about you, Stanfurd. Cal fans have been this at sporting events (and even graduations) for years, more as a joke in general, and not to slight you in particular. So get over yourself.

The various commenters seem to be missing the point: It's about having respect for those who have sacrificed for our country and continue to serve our country in myriad capacities today. The national anthem is a time for shared reflection, a time for reverance, a time for unity. It isn't a time for partisanship. The fact that this Cal "tradition" was halted following 9/11 evinces an acknowledgement that it is crass and wrong.

If other so-called fans cheapen our national anthem in a similar way, they, too, should be called to task.

Cheer for your team. Root against the other team. But keep everything above board and take a moment to put your hand over your heart, sing the anthem as it was written, and demonstrate that you are deserving of the freedoms provided by your country.

Ware Wendell
A.B., Political Science, Class of '99

"The fact that this Cal "tradition" was halted following 9/11 evinces an acknowledgement that it is crass and wrong. "
Yeah with this flawless logic, I guess it's also unpatriotic to root against the Yankees or criticize the president. America was a creepy, over the top patriotic place during the few months after 9/11 and I much prefer the before and after periods, ya know, when singing "home of the bears" isn't considered a jailable offense. (At least not in Berkeley.) I know this might blow yer mind, but it is possible to be a patriotic American citizen and not really take our British drinking song of an anthem too seriously.
The fact that it is played at EVERY sporting event insures that the event holds very little specialness to the audience...it's just a routine. Surprise, surprise, sports fans across America try and make the event a little more fun. Communists among us!

Actually, if you watched the fans in question at the Big Spike, they were singing along with the rest of the national anthem with hands over their hearts. Maybe it's just me, but it's more offensive to have a soloist monopolize the singing than have a few rowdy individuals sing along and change words to fit something they take pride in.

Actually, I rather enjoyed going to WWE/F events back during Stone Cold Steve Austin's heyday when those in the crowd would shout "WHAT?" at every pause in the national anthem. It may not have been all that tasteful, but then when you have singers who don't even get all the words right, how respectful is that?

I'm no Cal fan, but I will add my two cents.
Maybe the writer should change his name to Howard Boo Whoo instead of Howard Loo. Stop crying about something trivial like this. I think Stanford fans should attend more sporting events and build a tradition of their own instead of knocking other traditions.
Take that win against Cal with pride if they are your rivals. Celebrate it and move on. Do not come back and whine about something like that. You'll look like sore losers.
Judging by the responses, it seems like the writer has no clue of what he is writing about. Even Stanford fans are saying that this is an old tradition. Care to explain yourself, writer? You'll probably just BS-ing about even going to Cal's law school.

Wow. I never knew what we did would cause such an uproar (by one person, but seemingly not by anybody else). The Big Spike was an amazing sporting event and by far the best volleyball match that I have seen in years. Perhaps if you had actually taken an interest in the game instead of us you would have a better article to write. Like how it was one of the last games for four of the Pac-10's best volleyball players. Or perhaps how it was an amazing example of the best rivalry in collegiate athletics. So we say some words a bit differently. Did you sing the anthem? Because we did. Classless? Not in the least. A bit misguided as an outlet for spirit? Perhaps.
Before you jump to conclusions, look at the Big Spike as a whole. Stanford SOLD the student section as general admission. Money over spirit...Nicely done cardinal. The ushers forced us to sit down while their ten or so students were allowed to stand. Unfair...absolutely. So before you tear us apart for emphasizing the "UC" or saying "blue" or "bears" at least don't forget the part when we say "GOLD" as part of "star spanGOLD banner."
See you at the next volleyball match my friend. We'll be the ones in Cal gear having a good time.

Everybody knows that neither school has any discipline anyway.

Look, Stanfurd fan if you have a problem with us exclaiming UC when the words "you see" are in the song ... or saying home of the bears, which seriously EVERY athletic team, pro or college does, you're barking up the wrong tree (pun intended). We're just exclaiming our love for our university, its no diss to the USA. If you went here for 6 years, you should know better, this is what we do, it doesn't hurt anybody, we still love our country, get over yourself, and use that advanced degree from Cal to get a real job ... one your bachelors from Stanfurd could never get you.

Oh you poor misguided fools. Cal will kick your asses so bad this Saturday. You better get ready to have your asses handed to you!
FOCK STANFURD!!!

No, Wendell, what is really troubling is your pathetic football team and self aggrandized superiority! We all know Cal is a real school, for real kids. Stanfurd, on the other hand, is a place where degrees are wantonly sold to the highest bidder. Whomever’s Daddy or Mommy can offer the general endowment more money gets a degree! What a sham! Shame on anyone even remotely associated with Stanford! Oh and good job hiring that war criminal, Rumsfeld! You should be so very proud! Losers!

stop being a judgey mcjudgerson you prick

I'm deeply angry at your team's 4 win seasons every year and your awesome turnout at Big Games where Cal fans outnumber Stanford's 3 to 1 at YOUR stadium. It does a great disservice to the Big Game.

You lost so shut the F*ck up losers.

I don't think it's really Stanford's position to call out the Cal fans. Isn't your band the most racist most disrespectful band in ncaa history? Weren't they suspended for making anti-Irish (i.e. drinking puns) at halftime against Notre Dame? Stanford's a great school academically, but I would never ever go there