Going to games, supporting the University of La Verne’s athletic teams and cheering for them are a big part of life for many students on campus.

Yet because the University of La Verne is such a small school, it is safe to say that our level of cheering at games is low-key in comparison to what happens at other colleges and universities.

Still, that has not stopped athletics department administrators from trying to regulate the way Leopard fans cheer on their team.

Student fans who have been deemed unruly have had to face warnings and threats of probation over their demonstrations of school spirit.

What is considered to be negative cheering at La Verne’s athletic competitions is subjective. Painting faces, making shirts and signs and cheering on the Leopards is important to many students, and they should not be afraid to do so.

ULV’s athletic teams deserve such vocal support from students. The athletes are playing for the love of their respective sports, but in most cases the teams are good and in constant contention in the Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference.

Fans can provide that extra spark the athletes need on the court or the field.

It is true there must be a line drawn between positive support and negative cheering. But it is also important to remember that ULV is not like UCLA or USC. Our star athletes and their families are not receiving death threats for playing for the Leopards.

They are not being subjected to verbal abuse and taunting that many of their athletes go through.

Yet it seems that at this school, officials are more cautious than they need be.

At other SCIAC schools, students are able to cheer freely and without worrying about repercussions. In fact, many schools thrive on the energy and excitement brought through the cheering of the fans in their athletic events.

But at La Verne, spectators feel limited to what they can say or yell out, especially when in groups.

Any kind of friendly remarks against the other team or traditional chants are prohibited on the grounds that they are unsportsmanlike and a distraction from the game.

So the question remains, what is appropriate to say and how can fans cheer without having to look their shoulders?

Yes, a certain amount of decorum is needed, but fans should also not have to worry when they go to a game.

The athletic department needs to be clear and concise in writing a policy that allows fans and students to cheer the way they like and show their school spirit while still being in the lines of good sportsmanship.

It is important to hold good values of playing a fair game and being good sports, but fans must also have the freedom to cheer what they want and as loud as they wish.

ULV has a small student body, which should be a benefit to our athletics programs.

Positive cheering should be advocated more at our University, especially through pep rallies, a pep band or a proper cheerleading squad. Students also need to be more informed of activities that are scheduled.

Coaches and athletes work hard to compete for the University. We, as students and supporters of the Leopards, should be able to cheer without fear.