Green Machine on Probation

by Ginny Cross, Jabberwock Staff Reporter

Most people remember the annual field hockey homecoming game as a high-spirited event with loud cheering, human tunnels, and painted stomachs. However, following news of a suspected two-week suspension of the MLWGS Green Machine, the tone of Wednesday's homecoming game was somber and unusually subdued.

"I felt like no one even was watching the game," said Hillary Hurd ('09), a member of the varsity field hockey team.

Although leaders of the Green Machine were notified of a two-week ban just prior to the homecoming game, MLWGS director Mr. Douglas Hunt announced during a meeting held Thursday afternoon that the probation had been shortened from two weeks to three days. However, many students are unhappy that the suspension had to be enacted in the first place.

“There’s a Green Machine ban… [but] there’s also no more fun or dancing,” said Brennan Dolson during the homecoming game. “Actually, I may have just mixed up the ban with the plot of Footloose.”

The probation was a result of a string of complaints from parents, coaches, and referees that the Green Machine was disrespectful to opposing sports teams. Members of the Green Machine argue that any cheers against the other teams were far from malicious, and that the mission of the club has always been to support the MLWGS sports teams.

"The purpose of Green Machine is to cheer our team to victory," said Erik Fox ('10). "We may have a few people who take it too far, but that is not what we are here for." Some members of Green Machine believe the energy put forth by the group to support MLWGS teams may surprise parents and coaches from opposing teams.

“What it comes down to is they aren't used to having fans like that for games other than football and basketball," said Ese Shaw ('10), the founder of the Green Scream and a co-president of the current Green Machine.

The Green Machine was created in the fall of 2006 by Andy Rudd ('07), Keith Moran ('07), and Nathan Lautzenheiser ('07) as a student cheering section exclusively for MLWGS basketball games. The Green Machine itself remained solely for basketball, but last fall a group of sophomores formed a new cheering group, the Green Scream, which was intended to support a wider range of MLWGS sports teams.

"As an athlete, I know what it’s like to have just your parents out there," said Shaw . "When you have a crowd of students, it makes it so much more fun to play and gives you a stronger desire to win. I wanted to spread... the atmosphere of basketball games."

At the end of last year, the Green Scream merged with the Green Machine under the Green Machine name, and the club moved forward under the leadership of the former Green Scream. This fall, the "Green Machine 2.0" has cheered on varsity field hockey and both varsity volleyball teams.

Although the school has received numerous complaints throughout the season, some believe the final straw leading to the probation was a girls' varsity volleyball game against Patrick Henry Tuesday night. At the game, some members of the Green Machine chanted, "you should be on JV" when a player on the other team missed the ball.

According to Ms. Paige Hawkins, MLWGS co-athletic director, the disgruntled Patrick Henry coach notified the Patrick Henry athletic director Tuesday, who then called Ms. Hawkins to complain about the conduct of the MLWGS fans.

"As a whole, nothing out of the ordinary happened at the volleyball game. We were just cheering," said Norris Guncheon, a Green Machine member who attended the game. "I think the parents who complained need to realize it's all for the fun of the sport. We were there to hype up our own team, not attack the other."

Many members of MLWGS sports teams, as well as parents of athletes, have agreed that the turnout of Green Machine pumps up the team. Out of the 11 games that Green Machine has attended this fall, MLWGS has won nine.

"I've enjoyed having the Green Machine at field hockey games, said Ms. Kathy Spraggins, parent of varsity field hockey player Carly Spraggins ('11). "They lend a lot of spirit and excitement to the game, and the players are absolutely more psyched up when they have a large crowd."

"Although students are encouraged to show enthusiasm for MLWGS teams, there is a careful balance that must be struck between showing support for the MLWGS teams and resorting to poor sportsmanship," said Mr. Phil Tharp, Coordinator of Administration.

“If the derogatory comments toward specific players continue after the end suspension, I don’t know if we want the Green Machine to be representing the school in the future,” he said.

Although the official suspension has been considerably shortened, the behavior of the Green Machine will be kept under a close watch.

“I can’t say this clearly enough: do not single out individuals,” said Mr. Hunt. “Other than that, you’re back in business from next Wednesday on.”