By Jeff Kontz, sports editor

A new rule will keep the Friends University “Super Fans” off the basketball floor from now on.

In an e-mail to all the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference athletic directors, Commissioner Scott Crawford requested the rule become effective immediately after he observed games around the conference and saw a potential for disaster with how close some sites place their fans to the game action. He also reiterated that existing rules should be enforced.

The commissioner’s main points in his e-mail were:

• All noise makers are prohibited from KCAC games to keep the conference’s commitment to good sportsmanship. This is an existing rule.

• All fans must be off the floor in front of the bleachers during any game to improve safety of players, officials and the fans. This is a new rule.

Despite the rule being enforced across the conference, some fans are somewhat bitter about it. At the first home game following the introduction of the rule, the Friends Super Fans went to a different extreme. The Super Fans, also known to some as Falcon Fanatics or Faber Fanatics, are known for their rambunctiousness and outrageous themes for each game. Some games they’ve dressed up in night gowns and even hunting outfits.

In reaction to the new rule, the Super Fans showed up at Saturday’s game in mime costumes and instead of moving into the second row of the bleachers, the group watched the game from the top of the student section. Not a sound was made during the entire game. Air high-fives were exchanged and silent claps let the gymnasium know how they felt about the new restrictions.

After he was out of his mime costume and able to speak, Super Fan Christian Trotter had this to say about the rule: “I understand that we have to follow the rules of our authorities … but we feel like we are being treated like high schoolers.”

Crawford, in his third year as KCAC commissioner, stated later in the e-mail that not every school has had problems with fans and students being on the floor, but it is desired that all schools follow the same policy to create a “best practice” atmosphere. No matter where the games are played, the basketball action will not be directly interfered with.

The atmosphere surrounding the game can still be a factor depending on crowd noise and fan support, but it is expected to be done in a safe and appropriate manner.

“We respect and understand the policy in place and will cooperate according to the rules provided by the commissioner,” Friends Athletic Director Joe Zimmerman said.

Zimmerman believes this rule will help increase the safety of everyone attending games. In his opinion as well as the commissioner’s, moving fans farther away from the action will give everyone involved in the game more room to work and play effectively.

For example, before there have been fans, referees and players all within five yards of one another at times. The referees have the responsibility of running the boundaries of the court and keeping a close eye on the action. This often leaves them oblivious to what is taking place farther down the sideline. If a fan were too close to the court, there could be the potential for a brutal collision.

“We enjoy the fans’ spirit and do not desire to suppress that but rather to be attentive to the safety of all who are in attendance of these games,” said Zimmerman.

Friends prides itself on being named a Champions of Character Institution for being successful in five specific areas. According to kcacsports.com the areas the NAIA looks at when giving this award are as follows: athletic contests, public service projects, established policies related to behavior in practice and game situations, athletic and academic environment and character education. Zimmerman believes that this rule will not keep Friends students from displaying the proper behavior and sportsmanship as they have in past games and says that the students know what is expected of them.

“Friends is not the target of this rule. This is about safety and what is acceptable.”

Trotter, the Super Fan, knows the expectations of the University and its feeling about the Champions of Character Award but says he thinks the rule will have a negative effect on the fans and their ability to express school spirit at the games.

“We know that we are Champions of Character, but we don’t think standing in the bleachers is being a champion of character. It just takes the fun out of the games.”