KFDM COOP Posted January 19, 2007 Report Posted January 19, 2007 Student cuffed, ejected for...standing at a basketball gameQuote: from SI.com, by Andy GrayNineteen-year-old Avinash Murthy figured last Thursday's game between Arizona and Oregon State would be just like every other game he's attended at the McKale Center in Tucson, Ariz. Murthy, who attends Macalester College in St. Paul, Minn., has been attending Zona games his whole life and his parents have had season tickets since 1987. But this was no ordinary game. After an Arizona basket, Murthy stood and cheered ... and stood ... and stood ... and stood. Soon, people in his section were asking him to sit, and like any stubborn college student, Murthy refused. Before long, security came over and offered him a seat in a different section. Murthy again refused, claiming that the seat was worse than the one he had and that he has a right to stand. Unfortunately, the UA athletic department disagreed and Murthy was soon escorted out of the arena in handcuffs. University police Commander Kevin Haywood told the Arizona Daily Star: "He refused to stop standing even though the play of the game did not dictate that."Murthy felt he was well within his right to stand. "I could not believe I was being ejected for standing up at a basketball game," he said. "As long as I'm not throwing stuff, being vulgar, anything like that, I think it's well within my rights to stand up for any duration I want."While Murthy may have a point, it's worth noting that Tuscon is a popular retirement spot and the crowds at Wildcats games are often split evenly between students and senior citizens. So should a student – even if he's being a passionate fan – be removed from a game for being too passionate and angering an entire section? SIOC says NOOOO! College fans are among the most passionate in the world and shouldn't be punished for that. Murthy is a hero in our eyes for taking a stand. What do you think? Opinions
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