The term "River Rats" does not offend anyone down here in Ludlow. We've been called that for years and it is all in good fun. What I and others find offensive is the use of curse/swear words in cheers and derogatory comments directed at players. This is a practice that the Lloyd cheering section has adopted in recent years and no one from their school seems at all interested in stopping it.

What is the worst thing that you guys have heard said at these games? This reminds me of going to watch UK vs. Florida last year and hearing the "Walsh is gaaayyy..." chants.

I don't think that there is anything wrong with taunts or cheers (ie. "hicks", "river rats", "soap on a rope", and so forth). Nor do I think that taunts toward players in particular is wrong. What is over the limits is cursing or swearing. As to individual players, such taunts as "daddy's boy" like they use on coach's sons are okay. But to call someone gay as Wireman said is a little too far!!

If you wouldn't say it in front of you 11 year old son or daughter, it has no play at a high school basketball game!

As far as taunts towards the players, most kids can ignore them, and some even find humor in them. In this, student sections usually aren't malicious, but as with everything there is a line that can be crossed. I think teachers/faculty supervision is a great idea, as everyone still has the ability to have a good time, cheer on their school, and even tease the other school a little bit. But the key is that it is kept in clean fun, and nothing more comes about from it.

The term "River Rats" does not offend anyone down here in Ludlow. We've been called that for years and it is all in good fun. .

 

BZ - why do you think Ludlow is called "River Rats"? What was the original thought behind the term? Was it originally a derogatory term? Is it still intended to be that (regardless of how the fine residents of Ludlow take it)?

Really, I've always known it being for Ludlow. We said it when we played them in pewee too.

 

What is the meaning behind the term?

BZ - why do you think Ludlow is called "River Rats"? What was the original thought behind the term? Was it originally a derogatory term? Is it still intended to be that (regardless of how the fine residents of Ludlow take it)?

My earliest memories of River Rat is from the '60s. We called Beechwood "Cakes" and they called us "River Rats." It was intended to be derogrotory, but I think most Ludlow people were secretly proud of the name.

My earliest memories of River Rat is from the '60s. We called Beechwood "Cakes" and they called us "River Rats." It was intended to be derogrotory, but I think most Ludlow people were secretly proud of the name.

 

What was the name "River rats" implying?

What was the name "River rats" implying?

Well, Ludlow is on the river, and we do have some pretty big rats that live along the riverbank. Personally, I believe it was the best "acceptable" derogrotory name that they could come up with. I guess it was as opposite from "cake" as they could get.

My earliest memories of River Rat is from the '60s. We called Beechwood "Cakes" and they called us "River Rats." It was intended to be derogrotory, but I think most Ludlow people were secretly proud of the name.

We called Highlands Cake Eaters. Not sure why, just what I as told to call them when I was in HS. I guess I was pretty much a leming because I did.

Lloyd played @ Boone this year. The Lloyd student behavior was very bad. The Boone administrators asked the coaches to keep the students under control and watch the some of the chants. The assistant coach basically ignored the request. No administrator from Lloyd could be found at this game. Or, he thought the behavior was OK. As a parent, I was upset at the direction of the chants. Boone had to have the police stand near the students to encourage decent behavior. But, unless you are breaking a law there really was not much the police could do. The police had to ask the students to not stand on the wall behind the benches once and the students took their towels and waved them at the police, like leave us alone. I have seen a lot of students try and mimic Cov Cath. The students should learn from Cov Cath and have fun, but do it with class!

What was the name "River rats" implying?

My best guess would be worthless or repulsive.

What is the worst thing that you guys have heard said at these games?

The word "suck" seems to be the primary word used in these new chants. Simon Kenton had several variations on the theme early this year, primarily aimed at bad calls. There really aren't many ways to couch the way you tell the refs "You Suck". It can get really distasteful after a while. It appears their Administration has put a stop to it.

 

Lloyd used the word blatently several times at Dixie - "Suck our Dixie" is not what a parent wants their 8 year old to hear. You can see all the young kids snickering: "Did they really say that?" :eek:

The word "suck" seems to be the primary word used in these new chants. Simon Kenton had several variations on the theme early this year, primarily aimed at bad calls. There really aren't many ways to couch the way you tell the refs "You Suck". It can get really distasteful after a while. It appears their Administration has put a stop to it.

 

Yes, the administration has put a stop to it, which is why there will only be about 5-10 student fans at Walton tonight if there is even that many.