Photo by Jon Campbell, ESPN
While the recent Sign Ban has been getting a lot of local and even national attention, we want to hear what you think.
Stand Up: Wear blue at Saturday night’s game. If you don’t have blue, anything but orange will do. 
Step Up: Take the poll and then view the results to see how others in the University community feel.
Speak Up: What are your thoughts on the Sign Ban? How should StudCo get involved? What should the Athletics Department do? Leave a comment so others can hear your voice.
Should the Sign Ban be overturned?
- No, I think it was a fair decision. (3%, 26 Votes)
- Yes, bring back the signs. (97%, 872 Votes)
Total Voters: 898
Loading ...For five weeks, the Athletics Department has failed to address student concerns over the sign ban. Despite persistent requests to reconsider, today the AD affirmed that the ban is consistent with promoting a “positive gameday environment.” We disagree. In response, StudCo, Hoo Crew, and the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee encourage you to participate in Power of Students Night at Scott Stadium this Saturday as we extend the protest against the sign ban. As with the white paper four weeks ago, our message will only be clear with high participation.
In recent years, the Athletics Department has been steadily imprinting its own brand upon UVa sports. Beginning in 2003, it told students what to wear in instituting the “Sea of Orange;” 2008′s ban on signs, flags, and banners is a bold step toward controlling what we say. By vacating the student section of “official” orange wear, we can make it clear that we will no longer buy into their vision of what makes a “positive gameday environment.” Wearing our other school color allows us to send that message, while continuing to support our team in a critical conference game.
Media Coverage:
Please, no signs allowed that might make the coach feel sad.
Reporting From…The UVa Sign Ban Protest
All the Hoos in Hooville Hit With a Sign of the Times
Students Protest Policy Banning Signs
No idea how wearing blue protests the sign policy. The sign policy is ridiculous, and the first protest was clever and effective. This is just silly.
The fact is, the "Sea of Orange" DOES contribute to a "positive gameday environment." That's why students CHOOSE to wear orange. All this will do is turn the intimidating "Sea of Orange" into a sorry looking blob of a student body.
I honestly think that a larger protest is in order. As long as we still go to the games, there is no incentive for the administration to do anything. This game is on ESPN. IF there are 0 students there for the 1st quarter, this would look VERY bad for the Athletic Dept. I know no one would actually do this, but until we do something drastic, they appear to be set in their behind-closed-doors decisions and perfectly content with our discontentment.
Brian, I believe blue is an appropriate means for the student body to make a statement. Regardless of where you stand on whether or not orange t-shirts enhance the gameday atmosphere, the "Sea of Orange" was not introduced by students, and there's no evidence to support that it has improved our team's performance. The team had no problem overcoming a lack of orange t-shirts in the 90's on its way to a #1 national ranking and the ACC title. The athletics department has forced the orange campaigns on the students by providing free shirts every year and suggesting that they're necessary to create the right atmosphere. You might read a lead editorial from 2005, from a time when students were more hesitant to accept the major changes that now seem to be "part of the experience." (http://www.cavalierdaily.com/news/2005/sep/01/the-dress-up-debate/) By saying no to orange, we're saying no to all their "rules": shirts, speech, and signs included. And who's to say a "Sea of Blue" will look worse than one of orange?
Russell, I agree our current action doesn't particularly force their hand. However, I don't think we should boycott games or limit our attendance. I encourage everyone to be at the Maryland game early and enthusiastically. The student-athletes, our peers and friends, really have nothing to do with the department's policies. Perhaps we all might take greater alarm at the $644 athletics fee every full-time student pays.
I'm glad to see the discussion get started, and hope that future game protest ideas come from this board. I know Student Council is anxious to continue to help move us all in the right direction.
Students should put Post-it-notes on toothpicks and wave them at the tv…It'd be a good protest
COME TO THE GAME WITH PAPER BAGS OVER YOUR HEADS! The TV cameras always do close-ups of that! Cut the eyes and mouth out, and draw tears in magic marker around the eyes and a frown around the mouth.
==================================
That's how fans who are fed up with it all do it at big-time schools! Haha!
Dulesy,
While orange T-Shirts have not magically improved our performance, they HAVE contributed to a great game-day atmosphere. To me, this protest is not about the signs. If we wanted to protest the sign policy, it could be by, say, continuing to bring signs into the stadium. The protest is a backdoor shot at the "Sea of Orange," and I do not plan to participate. The organizers of this protest are way off base; students will blindly follow.
I agree that the concentration must be on cheering on the Hoos. Will fans be as focused on doing so? Will they boo when the "Power of Orange" flag is raised?
I will be talking to Student Council about this decision and the lack of wisdom involved in it. While a "Sea of Blue" would not be a problem to me, I would prefer it not be involved in our protest over a legitimate issue, the unfair sign policy.
Just a note: Look at the picture on the top of this website. The stadium looks great when everyone comes out wearing the same color. The enthusiasm and volume of the fans is more important, sure, but it is a sight to see. Looks great on TV (and probably to recruits?). Recruits don't want to come and see a silly looking protest…
The Student Athlete Advisory Committee (the voice for student athletes at UVA) supports this protest.
Brian,
Some would argue that what's not "great" about the photo is that it makes our stadium indistinguishable from so many others around the country. What's intimidating about Clemson or VPI coming to town and seeing the same crowd they do at their home venues? Perhaps if we all hadn't "blindly followed" the marketing campaigns for orange in the first place, the athletic department wouldn't have felt it had the authority to try to take over another part of the gameday atmosphere (signs).
I don't think the protest is a backdoor shot at the "Sea of Orange," I think it's an open, direct slap in its face. In addressing the protest, sports column today in the Cav Daily provides what is to me one of the best pieces of writing the paper has seen in years:
"The idea to wear blue instead of orange is simple and expressive. With enough participation, the student body will be able to show that policies and dress codes don’t create a positive game-day atmosphere — the fans themselves do. They will be able to show that an out-of-touch former NFL coach doesn’t have the power to unilaterally change the traditions that surround Virginia football. Only the fans themselves do. And they will be able to tell athletic director Craig Littlepage that the students don’t want to buy into manufactured ploys like the “Sea of Orange” and a sign-less crowd that serve only to further an administrative interest at the expense of tradition and atmosphere. Only some of the people in the athletic department do."
-'Scott Stadium Blues,' 10/2/2008
Witty or clever symbolic protests, such as holding blank pieces of paper or wearing a different colored shirt, play right into the hands of the athletic department. It makes it appear that this is just a game and all part of the regular back-and-forth between a rowdy but well-intentioned student body and a paternalistic but well-intentioned administration. I know fewer people would go for it, but I think it would be far more effective to work for a boycott of the games, or to have as many people as possible practice civil disobedience–bring signs that directly protest the ban and make the athletic department enforce their rule by removing hundreds of students. Or, if we must be clever, at least encourage people to come wearing gags over their mouths–something that might actually embarrass the athletic department
I agree with many of the above posts. If this protest is to be effective, we cannot limit it to two games. Perhaps the next game we can wear the brown paper bags, and after that bring signs that directly protest the ban. The more media attention this gets, the better. Until we do something that actually makes the administration feel uncomfortable, or even embarrassed for being so hard-handed, there will be no change. So what if students are unhappy? Obviously that is not a concern of the AD.
"A positive gameday experience" for who, the opposing team. Its insane how we roll out the red carpet for the visiting team so that they will not feel like that they are the visiting team. The University or Athletic Department or whoever you want to blame has taken away Home field advantage from the Home team, Our Virgiia Caveliers! Its about having an advantage when the teams at home, not making it a neutral site. Bring back the signs, brick back the roar (win or loose) and when the crowd is into it the flow will run right through the players veins and them too will be pumped!
Don't go to the game? *pounds head into wall repeatedly* As if our team wasn't struggling enough as it is, we should just give our guys a few more kicks in the ribs while they're down? That's wonderful logic, thanks for blessing us with your stunning intellect. You're going to let your team, who represents all the values we cherish and protect at this school, down just because you want to stick it to the man? Grow up people, it's not always just about you.
For all the intelligent people that are supposed to be at this school, this is the best we could come up with? Here's an idea: since we can't have signs (which are rarely that creative anyway), let's stop pouting like toddlers and arrange some student section cheers?
HOOCREW, I'M TALKING TO YOU!! Instead of allowing this protest, which will only take away from gameday spirit, to pass, get together and come up with some witty cheers for the bleachers. Is this really that hard to figure out?
This entire "outrage" comes across as a child who never cared to play with a toy until it was taken away. Be honest with yourself, and think of the last time you brought a sign to a football game.
This is not a matter of free speech. If anything the decision was made to limit legal issues.
I suggest you all read this post on the DearOldUVa blog before acting indignant any longer. The author actually looks at this situation with a reasonable eye.
http://www.dearolduva.com/general/sign-fiasco-tak...
The response to this policy is puerile.
"You’re going to let your team, who represents all the values we cherish and protect at this school down"
If you want to go to the game, wear orange, lead cheers, whatever, that's fine. More power to you. But I disagree with your assessment of what the football team represents. I enjoy going to games, and wish the team success, but that's about as far as it goes. In terms of the values we cherish and protect, I'm far more interest in the actions of the student body. Standing up for what you believe in and voicing dissent are values. Touchdowns are not.
Craig Littlepage Repeals Ban On Signs At Virginia Athletics Venues
CHARLOTTESVILLE — University of Virginia Athletics Director Craig
Littlepage announced Thursday that he is repealing the policy
prohibiting signs, banners and flags in all UVa athletics venues.
“The policy prohibiting signs, banners and flags in all UVa athletics
venues has become a distraction and has taken the focus away from
supporting our student-athletes,” Littlepage said. “Our football team
needs our support right now and that should be our collective focus.
With that in mind, I am repealing immediately the policy prohibiting
signs, banners and flags in all athletics venues. I encourage all of
our fans to be in attendance at Saturday night’s football game with
Maryland. My hope is our fans will wear orange and be prepared to
support the Cavaliers.”
Sean,
Last time I checked, the football team was part of the student body. The only difference is, their actions, and consequently the actions of all those in attendance at Scott Stadium, are placed in a national spotlight.
I agree that scoring a touchdown is not a value. However, everything represented in that touchdown: the hard work of the players, the dedication of the coaching staff, and the fans cheering on our fellow students, are values. Stand up for what you believe in and voice your dissent all you want, but don't let it detract from the hard work of the team, no matter how poor their record may be.
Great link David, I enjoyed reading that. Intelligent responses to this issue seem few and far between. Rick Reilly does tend to say only what is convenient for his viewpoint, but hey, what sportswriter doesn’t. I must admit though that Rick’s books are hysterical.