1/7 Topic - Needham students banned from hockey game

Tonight Viewer's Voice Question:

What do you think about the decision to ban Needham High School students from tonight's game?

Send us your Skype video or email us viewervoices@whdh.com.

Finding us on Skype

Log into your Skype account and click on the Contacts tab.

From here choose the Search Option and search for WHDH-TV.

Click Add Skype Contact.

Related Article

Needham students banned from hockey game

Skype Calls 

Mike, New Bedford

Viewer Voices

"I agree with the superintendent's banning the students for one game to teach the students that a level of decorum is required when in public, especially at school events. We must educate our youth that what they see in movies, on TV, and sometimes even in "real life" is not appropriate or acceptable. They need to understand that they are representing their school and classmates and negative behavior or the use of profanity will not ever be allowed. Respect for all must be taught even if the lesson is not an easy one." Jackie B., Dartmouth

"Absolutely not! Every student of that school has their right to cheer on their team! There is no reason to ban them from cheering on the school just because they were a little rowdy. This action was very unnecessary and they need to get over the fact that the students were shouting and yelling. Do they know that it happens at every other sports game in the world!?" 7Viewer, Sandwich

"I think this is very unfair, when you have the "Yankees Suck" chant as one of the most recognized and accepted chants." Frank Bethoney, Wrentham, MA

"Taunting the other team happens at all hockey games and I don't feel the Needham students should have been banned from tonight's game." Tarun

"Congratulations to the hockey coach for having the guts to take a stand against bad fan behavior. As a longtime high school hockey fan and parent of four hockey players, I have seen too much of it over the years, with no attempt at control. It's about time." Lynne Silva

"Congratulations and high fives to the principal of Needham High - it's time to bring some discipline back into the proper raising of our children.  For too long, over-indulgences, pampering, letting kids ‘express themselves,' and allowing them to make the rules instead of parents and teachers has caused spoiled, bad-mannered, lack-of-social-graces, rude and obnoxious behavior in (some of) our kids (and sometimes the parents).  It's absolutely the right thing to do, and this principal should receive a profile in courage award for not putting up with rotten behavior. Keep it up!" Susan, Billerica 

"I agree with the decision to ban students from tonight's hockey game. Students should learn to have respect for their peers and support the team. As a student at Dracut High School, I've seen the overwhelming support our community has had for our football team and even if we lost (like we have in the past) fans would never disrespect the other team. Most fans congratulate the other team and their coaches! The students should have learned from an early age that if one person acts up the whole group is punished. That has always been the consequence as far back as I can remember. I am a music student and we have experienced the same disrespect at school concert assemblies. This year, the decision was made to have only the senior class attend the assembly. Sometimes the people in the audience (or sports spectators) don't understand how their bad behavior can affect the performer's or player's performance and especially their morale. Shame on those students parents for not teaching them how to behave in public and respect other people." J.H.

"Only here in the northeast are sports fans so RUDE to opposing teams.  I've never seen so much rude behavior towards opposing teams until I moved to Massachusetts. It starts at the high school level up into pro sports...  I think this a good way to show these kids as well as adults that this is unacceptable behavior." 7Viewer 

"Absolutely the best decision. All the Needham fans were either participants in, or passive observers of the inappropriate behavior. All should be reminded not just about the rules, but what being a fan at Needham High School means." 7Viewer 

"Yes I agree about Needham students should not be there cheering for they hockey game, this will teach them lesson about sportsmanship. I am former student at NNHS." Paula

"I agree. I understand that kids will be kids, however, it seems that recently, those kids have gone just a bit too far in their school spirit. It is one thing for the students to dress up in school colors, yell and shout POSITIVE shout outs, but to be disrespectful to the other team, just shows poor sportsmanship. I think that some of those students forgot the main points to playing school sports: positive attitudes, having fun, and GOOD sportsmanship!" Jeremy Bethoney

"Bravo! There is no excuse for poor sportsmanship." 7Viewer 

"I think this is an appropriate punishment.  There may have been parents and students that were not acting badly, but this will encourage them to apply peer pressure against those who misbehave in the future.  Not doing anything to stop bad behavior is nothing to be proud of." 7Viewer

"I support the principal." 7Viewer