Ace: Note Re: Yelling Band Member
I got word today that the young woman in the band whose screams were picked up on TBS's microphones during the game last night received some very inappropriate responses from some fans, including the threat of violence.
I wish it was needless to say, but it's one thing to joke, and quite another to take it to that level. I don't have much time during the tournament to check on the board/comments. If you see any comments like that around, please let one of the mods or staff members know—the moderation action thread is here—so we can take the appropriate action.
College sports are fun, and silly, and sometimes we joke around to get through a slog like last night. Please keep sports fun. Much more importantly, please don't threaten or make light of violence against women.
Also, after talking with people at the game last night, it's obvious the problem was a poorly placed microphone — our photographer on the baseline and several others at the game didn't notice anything out of the ordinary.
Thankfully, the band member in question is apparently doing just fine. That doesn't excuse any comments that cross the line.
March 16th, 2018 at 12:22 PM ^
I'm sorry what did you say??
March 16th, 2018 at 11:35 AM ^
It always is good to hear perspective. As in, never threaten violence. It isn't cool or funny.
And I also appreciate the explanation. I had no idea who the fan was, who the fan was cheering for or against, none of it. (Actually, I was kind of impressed that someone had that lung and vocal capacity for so much of the game!) Anyway, knowing the explanation, I trust that the band member in question understands that such non-stop wailing / screaming / caterwauling is notable, and not appreciated by all.
Cheering for your team when you're in the building: Not appreciated anymore. Noted.
March 16th, 2018 at 11:36 AM ^
It was like the fifth worst thing about the game so...
March 16th, 2018 at 11:37 AM ^
I liked her! She is dedicated and doing her best to help the team. Sad she's being hated on.
March 16th, 2018 at 11:55 AM ^
March 16th, 2018 at 12:03 PM ^
March 16th, 2018 at 12:21 PM ^
I'm willing to give her the benefit of the doubt, she might not have been knowingly annoying anyone. In fact, she probably had no idea she was annoying anyone, much less "everyone". Several folks who were at the game have posted that they didn't even notice her screaming. If it was as bad in person as it sounded on TV, everyone in the arena would also be complaining. It's not like the atmosphere was like Cameron Indoor and the persistent crowd roar was drowning her out. Perhaps she was surrounded by equally psyched band members who didn't complain and she didn't realize the mike hanging 15ft above her head was broadcasting her enthusiasm nationwide.
March 16th, 2018 at 12:10 PM ^
I was watching at a bar and did not distinguish any screams different than normal fan/bar noise and was pretty shocked to see all the comments here on this board and in the game write-up.
And judging from every single comment from people at the game, the noise she was making wasn't noticeable from their section and simply blended in with all the other people making noise like they should at a sporting event. This woman was doing exactly what she is encouraged to do at a live sporting event: make noise.
That it was annoying to viewers is 100% on TBS and the director for not moving or muting the microphone. It's their responsibility for making sure the game audio is pleasant enough for viewers. These kinds of things are common, you know, with all the screaming fans at sporting events.
For everyone wondering why no one near her asked her to stop, it's clear that it's because they weren't annoyed enough to do that because in person it was normal noise. That TBS put a mic next to hear and broadcast it disproportionately to the other ambient noise in the arena is why it was so annoying on television. Big fail on their part.
March 16th, 2018 at 12:36 PM ^
I agree its a sad commentary that society is so tuned into its hate for everything these days. People are unhappy and feel unworthy if they cant hate something.
Thank you for posting it, I feel so much happier and worthier.
March 16th, 2018 at 12:53 PM ^
If she was doing some kind of chant or yell it would have been fantastic. Her drone on EVERY possession was nails on a chalkboard annoying.
March 16th, 2018 at 11:38 AM ^
March 16th, 2018 at 11:39 AM ^
but I can't even fathom the impulse to track her down. She may have been annoying, but if we win the hole dang thing her shriek will become part of Michigan lore.
March 16th, 2018 at 11:49 AM ^
That's weird. I'm hoping it was only "OMG! I want to strangle her!" In which case, not nice, but not really a "threat" of violence. If it's true that a legit threat was thrown out there, then I'm sorry, humanity is done for.
question: Was it really that bad? Several on this thread didn't even hear her? I had the game muted.
March 16th, 2018 at 11:46 AM ^
Instead of suggesting we not "threaten or make light of violence against women" why not just end it at the word violence. Would this be acceptable if fans were doing this to a male member of the band?
March 16th, 2018 at 11:58 AM ^
No but since unfortunately a disproportionate amount of violence and threats of violence are issued by men against women, this is a subfield of violence that many people, myself included, would say demands specific attention.
March 16th, 2018 at 12:05 PM ^
Is there any evidence to back up that fact that there is a disproportionate amount of violence and threats of violence issued by men against women? Or is it the general guy tells another guy ill kick your ass just generally goes unreported because no one actually cares.
I have no time for violence against women. I also have no time for violence against men. Why stop short and suggest people shouldn't hit women when you can be JUST as effective suggesting people shouldn't hit ANYONE.
March 16th, 2018 at 12:34 PM ^
March 16th, 2018 at 12:08 PM ^
March 16th, 2018 at 12:47 PM ^
I like how you used data to backup you thoughts, you stayed away from needless finger pointing, and kept religion out of your response. Bravo, well done and well articulated. I wish I could've done as well and kept sarcasm out of my post.
Racist teacher chimes in. Of course
March 17th, 2018 at 12:09 AM ^
This is the same line of thought that absolutely fucks male rape victims. It's disgusting and harmful.
March 16th, 2018 at 12:12 PM ^
March 16th, 2018 at 11:48 AM ^
March 16th, 2018 at 11:49 AM ^
Folks, it goes without saying that you shouldn't hunt down this person just to vent at her, let alone threaten her.
Now, having said that... let's all hunt down and threaten whoever it was that put a mic near her! That guy needs to pay for being such a moron!!*
(*SARCASM! DON'T DO THIS EITHER.)
March 16th, 2018 at 11:59 AM ^
It's ok because it's a guy tho
/s
March 16th, 2018 at 12:07 PM ^
How could the production crew not have noticed the issue? Couldn't their sound guys have muted or toned down that particular mike when the band wasn't playing (ie. 95% of the game)? Or at the very least, gently passed along the feedback (pun intended) to the band, something along the lines of, "we really appreciate your enthusiasm, but we're also getting numerous complaints that your particular tone of yelling is causing seizures and migraines all across the country." Either approach instantly solves the problem with minimal effort.
March 16th, 2018 at 11:49 AM ^
I always mute the TV and listen to the Matt Shepard / Terry Mills broadcast on IMG Radio. Much better experience. They get better access to information about Michigan too (Obviously).
Anyone else do this as well?
March 16th, 2018 at 12:40 PM ^
I did when Ufer was callng games. I didnt hear a TV broadcast until I was 14 years old.
March 16th, 2018 at 11:59 AM ^
Is it really surprising that people get pissed off when we're losing and say stupid shit?
March 16th, 2018 at 12:02 PM ^
no need for anyone to go at her
March 16th, 2018 at 12:07 PM ^
Yes, it was annoying.
That said, what kind of person threatens somebody because said person is screaming at a basketball game? Like, what decisions have to be made for a person's brain to go, "Yes, I will tell this person whose only crime is enjoying a basketball game that they deserve to die."
March 16th, 2018 at 12:13 PM ^
March 16th, 2018 at 12:21 PM ^
Sadly, sometime it seems that the people with the biggest problems in their lives are most focused on trying to solve the smallest ones.
March 16th, 2018 at 12:37 PM ^
Well put - and I'd add:
How do you think the problems GOT so big?!
March 16th, 2018 at 12:21 PM ^
March 16th, 2018 at 12:23 PM ^
I heard the scream. I was perplexed. Where did it come from and why is it that I have never ever heard anything like it during a televised sporting event.
Then I ignored it and watched a difficult game to watch.
It was just one more factor that was part of an uncomfortable evening.
March 16th, 2018 at 12:23 PM ^
March 16th, 2018 at 12:29 PM ^
March 16th, 2018 at 12:28 PM ^
Didn't even hear it - I was watching in bed with the volume on just loud enough to hear the announcers, but I guess the combination of low volume plus my fan running drowned it out. I only knew about it at the time because of twitter.
March 16th, 2018 at 12:27 PM ^
Now I'm glad I watch all the games at bars (don't even own a TV). They rarely even turn on the volume for the game.
March 16th, 2018 at 12:29 PM ^
Bah. Well. Count me among those who didn't notice. But seriously if it's annoying just mute the damn thing.
March 16th, 2018 at 12:29 PM ^
It took Nessler about 5 minutes to realize that Simmons was in for Simpson. I did not hear any comments/analyis about Z only playing 4 minutes in the first half or the possible connection between his avaliability in the second half and the Montana offense grinding to a near complete halt.
March 16th, 2018 at 12:29 PM ^
March 16th, 2018 at 12:39 PM ^
That shitz gonna happen someday 71, sad to say...
March 16th, 2018 at 12:57 PM ^
... like it was a bad thing.
I don't own a handgun, so what I'd do if some young douchebag was blocking my view, is to call an usher, who will call a cop, who will have a gun.
Saves me about $499 for a Glock.