This academic year, I inherited the role of “Cowbell Guy” for the BC men’s hockey student section. My duties include making sure students in the first row of section R wave banners—one reading “Boston College Hockey” and the other being a painting of head coach Jerry York with the word “Trust” beside him—before and after every period and BC goal, as well as leading the notorious “sieve” chant after every BC goal. Having served three games so far this year as Bell Ringer (my official title according to my Conte Forum credential) and observing the previous Cowbell Guy my freshman year, I have gained plenty of student section experience to ponder how this role can be permitted by my Catholic faith.
As my main duty involves poking fun at opposing goaltenders, I have reflected often on how this can be compatible with living a good Catholic life ordered towards loving God and loving neighbor. I have often asked myself if I was sinning by chanting to opposing goaltenders “you suck at life and goaltending”. Is this understood as simple sports banter or is this a violation of the dignity of my neighbor?
Outlining the context of this question is important. College hockey players are surely aware that they will hear things said to them by an opposing student section that are not necessarily true, but rather are said in a spirit of competition. In the case of the “sieve” chant, it is understood by both goaltender and students that we are not seriously making any comment about his skill at life (his goaltending skill is another question since he just let in a goal), but rather using hyperbolic language as a way to distract him and hopefully help the Eagles succeed.
Were we to actually mean that we believe a goaltender sucks at life, or if what we were saying was outside of a context such as college hockey where the recipient knows the intent of our speech, that would certainly be uncharitable. But intent is not the only consideration, especially when the goalie’s family gets involved.
Just because the student section is in a context of college hockey does not mean that the intent of increasing competition justifies anything anyone says. It is unfair to a goalie’s mother, father, sister, brother, girlfriend, etc. to involve them in banter when they are not the one in competition. It is especially wrong and a violation of human dignity when such comments are of a sexually explicit nature, as some often are.
Interactions with visiting student sections such as those from Northeastern or Boston University also require reflection. Back and forth chants such as “safety school”, “where’s your campus”, and “sucks to BU” can fall into what is mutually understood as non-malicious banter. But interactions with individual students from rival schools face higher scrutiny. It is understood as friendly banter when entire sections are chanting back and forth at each other, but insulting an individual student or few that walk by is outside the spirit of competition unless it is evidently clear that the tone of conversation is mutually understood as cordial.
I have written at length about seemingly negative speech and actions involved with the hockey fandom, but I also believe there are positives to be extracted from my role. After watching BC lose to Colorado College on October 22, those of us in the first row still waved the BC Hockey and Jerry York banners proudly. After what could be seen as an embarrassing loss, it would be easy to lose faith in the team. But my support for BC Hockey is not conditional on wins and losses. In a way analogous to the cardinal virtue of fortitude, enduring embarrassing losses and hoping for success in the future makes fandom stronger.
The next night, BC beat top-10 ranked Denver, and the loss the night before added a sense of relief to an already exciting win. When anything seems hopeless—be it a hockey season or a situation in the spiritual life—the answer can be found both on the Jerry York banner and in the Bible: trust. The Book of Proverbs says to “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and do not rely on your own insight” (Prov. 3:5). Relying on insight may lead to deriving despair from failure, but trust in God (and, less importantly, coach York) will lead to happiness.
Adam is a senior from Columbus, Ohio. He previously served as Campus News and Culture Editor, and boasts the title of least cultured to ever serve as the latter. Holding a minor in Biology, he recently converted from STEM and now majors in Philosophy and Classical Studies. He currently leads Una Voce, the Latin Mass society at BC, and sings with the University Chorale of Boston College and the Chorale Chamber Singers. He enjoys Gregorian Chant, relearning the clarinet, and is an unabashed Ohio apologist.
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