Parent Makes Plea for Band's Respect

Band parent Christine Griffin asked the Watchung Hills Regional Board of Education for help addressing what she says is a growing problem at football games: anger and disrespect directed at members of the school's marching band.

As an example, she cited an incident at the Sept. 16 game in Union when several parents yelled at the band members after Watchung Hills scored a touchdown in the third quarter.

"Not knowing the tradition of the third-quarter break for marching bands across the country, several football parents began screaming—and I mean screaming—across the stands at the marching band members," she said at Monday's meeting. "Shouts of 'Play something' and 'Why aren't you playing?' could be heard across the stands.

"I decided I would go over to the screaming fans and explain why the band was not playing," she continued. "I was met with such rage and fury while I tried to explain...that I was actually frightened and shaking."

Griffin, whose son is one of the band's drum majors, said at last week's Hillsborough game, stadium announcers had to repeatedly ask the football team to leave the field before the game to allow for band performances.

"This response was disgusting on several levels," she said. "The disrespect for the Hillsborough officials and the disrespect for the marching band was remarkable to me, as a...parent."

Griffin concluded by saying she "looks forward to a quick resolution to this issue."

Board President Robert Horowitz said the board supports all student activities equally, and noted there is a "code of conduct everyone is responsible for adhering to" when attending games and school events. He directed Principal Thomas DiGanci to follow-up on the situation with Athletic Director Nick Seratella.

This article was edited to correct an error in the paragraph concerning the events at last week's Hillsborough game. The article had stated Griffin said the team was asked to leave the field at halftime, when it was actually before the game.