Vuvuzelas

The 2010 Fifa World Cup brought teams, nations and people all over the world together to watch and cheer on their favorite players and represent and support their nation. The country of South Africa did this in a very distinct manor, by using a horn called a vuvuzela to help lift the spirits of those on the field. These horns caught on not only in South Africa, but also around the world and now seem to be causing some controversy in Section III athletics.

According to rule eight of the Section III rules and regulations handbook, as of March 27, 2003, “noisemakers (thunder sticks, cow bells, air horns, etc.) are not allowed at contests at Section III sporting schools or Section III sponsored events.” The event staff at Jamesville-DeWitt High School has had to enforce this rule more often since students found out about vuvuzelas. Haley Nies, an event staff member at J-DHS, noted the recent increase in noisemakers at school sporting events and said, “Because it’s a Section III rule, we have to enforce it. Personally I have no problem with (noisemakers) but we have to enforce the rules.”
However, among the student body at J-DHS, there are those who feel as though this rule should be changed. “I’m definitely for the use of noisemakers during our games,” said senior football player Sean Behan. “They bring a sense of spirit and passion in our games. They make us feel like the crowd is with us and has our backs out on the field,” says Behan.

Senior quarterback Ahkeen Williams feels the same way when it comes to the constant low pitch hum of the vuvuzelas and the other various noises of noisemakers. “It helps bring up the energy. It’s a lot better when we play and we know the crowd’s alive.” Williams also mentioned that the noise helps improve the intensity on defense, which causes them to perform better.

Senior Varsity Boy’s soccer goalie Zack Tanner also feels that noisemakers should be allowed at sporting events. “I love them,” Tanner said. “I just think they’re really fun to have off the field and they get me pumped up when I’m playing.”
Many fans also agree with the players. They feel like they need to have a way to express their emotions and help the team. “They add a lot of pep and spirit to the games that make them more fun,” said junior Maddi Seely. “Why are pep bands allowed to have horns and play loud music during the games but we can’t have noise makers? It just doesn’t make sense to me,” says Seely.

However Senior John Centra can see why Section III banned the use of noisemakers at sporting events. “Honestly they can get really annoying to those around trying to watch the games, but for the students who have and use them, I can see where they would be fun and why they would want them to be allowed.”