Dear Editor,
While many letters have been written about the incident at the BYU vs. Utah football game, we seem to be missing the point. Three groups of people clashed that night due to bad decisions.
I agree that the ROTC cadets were wrong in their zealotry to defend the field. I agree that the University Police were wrong to ask them to help with crowd control without providing proper training. So point your finger at them and say, 'Bad cadet. Bad officer.'
Now, with your finger extended in scorn at these individuals, notice where most of your other fingers are pointing - right back at you. This incident would not have taken place had students followed the law or had the courtesy to do as BYU asked - stay off the field. I understand the euphoria of winning. I sat in the stands and reveled in the victory. A comment from one of my friends brought me back to earth. She reminded me this was a nationally televised game. When others see BYU, they think 'church school.' Don't we have an honor code to live up to? One that we said we would follow and obey the law? What image did we give to the world with students stampeding onto the field and, in the background, the announcement to please stay off the field?
So let's step back a minute and all of us hang our heads in shame. We were all a part of the incident. That's history, so let's learn from it. First, I don't see the harm in having enthusiastic students on the field. Maybe BYU can relax that rule. One concern is for the facility, especially goal posts. These are expensive, but at BYU, I think we have the safest goal posts due to the quality of students enrolled. Either way, have the police protect them as they did Saturday night. The students won't harm the grass. Second, provide crowd control training to anyone involved in said function. Last, as students, take responsibility for our own actions and their consequences.
Tony Park
Lehi, Utah County