Since the beginning of time, mankind has been competing – competing for land, power and certainly pride. The instinct controlling competition is that of a primal species – one long since extinct. However, that species lives on through modern man as unsportsmanlike conduct.

Tensions were high at the regional finals game against Norland. Their cheerleaders flew onto the hardwood every chance they got while Krop cheerleaders watched. Senior fan Aron Smuckler, painted face and all, rose from his seat and flailed his arms about in an effort to show up the Norland cheerleading squad and incite equal spirit from the Krop crowd. A Norland representative took offense to what she considered to be Smuckler’s disrespect to their cheerleaders – he turned around and excited the Krop crowd again. A Norland fan then shoved Smuckler. Smuckler and sophomore Seth Benes were then removed for their “offenses.” The removal of the fans is not in question: What is in question is the pushing itself, the “boo-ing” of the Norland cheerleaders and the general attitude during the game.

With devotion comes insanity. Seemingly ordinary people paint their faces and bodies and flail about as if in convulsions to support their team. Every game contains drunken brawls, trash-talking and disorderly conduct.

The Pacers/Pistons brawl in 2005 was the epitome of unsportsmanlike conduct. Fans started throwing items onto the court hitting players. The players then rushed the stands – players beating fans, fans beating players. “It was the ugliest thing I’ve ever seen as a coach or a player,” said Larry Brown, former Piston’s coach. These players lost control of their primal emotions – anger, hatred, passion, and devolved into seething apes.

Let us not forget Don Zimmer of 72 years throwing himself onto Pedro Martinez of 32 years in an eruption of fiery anger. Zimmer has an unstaunched career in MLB starting in 1949. He made one bad choice in allowing his emotions get the best of him and his reputation has since been tarnished.

Even more extreme is the manslaughter charge of Thomas Junta who beat Michael Costin to death in an argument over their son’s pee-wee hockey games. The controversy was that the pee-wee game was supposed to be “non-contact.” Words were exchanged between the fathers when Junta thought Costin’s son was being too aggressive and soon after beat the man to death. He now has six to ten years in prison for his offenses.

Sportsmanship is a way to honor your opponent; to gracefully accept defeat and humbly recognize your shortcomings. However, that primal animal inside us all sometimes gets the best of us and our emotions are allowed to run amuck: all of mankind is susceptible to this condition.