Recently, Penn State was ranked as having the worst fan support in Big Ten basketball. During an exciting matchup with Indiana University, which saw Penn State's second straight overtime period, I witnessed a near sell-out crowd and a loud and proud student section that would make those naysayers think twice.

The entire Bryce Jordan Center was full of excitement and energy, and the student section was going wild as the Lions lit up the second half, a total turnaround in student support for the team. In the overtime period, when the team needed the most support, a few Penn State students turned their great spirit and support into offensive and extremely vulgar unsportsmanlike attacks on the officials and visiting team.

Penn State athletics is built on a foundation of pride, tradition and humility. Penn State athletes have always played as modest, proud, and selfless members of a team rather than arrogant, selfish, individuals playing for self-promotion, as found at many collegiate athletic programs. Although the behavior of these few students do not represent the outstanding support that the majority of the students gave, it is a major step in the wrong direction. Negative conduct is not only disrespectful to the visiting team and the officials, it is most disrespectful to the integrity of the university and its talented, hard-working athletes whose intense efforts often go unrecognized.