By By SCOTT NOVAK / Dowagiac Daily News
There seems to be a difference of opinion when it comes to reaction to the Detroit Pistons-Indiana Pacers brawl last Friday night at the Palace of Auburn Hills.
While all seemed to be shocked, who is to blame and what can be done about the situation varies.
Some fans want to blame the security at the Palace for the problem, while others seem to think that the players are to blame.
Still others, feel the fans should shoulder at least part of the blame.
Dowagiac basketball coach Greg Blomgren felt that the whole situation was an embarrassment to the sport of basketball.
He felt that the actions of those involved on Friday night are filtering down to the lower levels.
Blomgren noted that high school and junior high school children should not have to see something like that.
Blomgren felt that the players had no right to go into the stands regardless of how the fans were acting. He also felt that there is no place in basketball for the way the fans responded to the situation.
Blomgren noted that people wonder why they see these same types of situations flare up in gyms throughout the state.
Dowagiac student and basketball player Valerie Johnson said she was surprised by what transpired in Detroit.
Johnson added that she felt it wasn't necessary for the players to go into the stands after the fans and that fans shouldn't be allowed to act like that.
Andy Crawley, a former Dowagiac standout and assistant varsity football coach, noted that he feels that the Palace of Auburn Hills should be held accountable.
Crawley added that they are partly at fault. He also faults the players for losing control and he faults Pacers' Ron Artest, who received a season-long suspension for his actions.
He added that any fans who were involved and can be identified should face a life-time ban from the Palace.
Former Dowagiac Police Athletic League director Danum Hunt said that he was dining with his wife and children at Applebees when he saw the game on television.
Hunt, who coaches boys and girls basketball at Dowagiac, said that things like the exchange between Artest and Detroit's Ben Wallace are common place in the NBA.
But he added that all of the players involved need to be more professional.
Hunt believes that the punishment sends a message to all players.
He also believes that the fans who were involved should be punished as well.
Dowagiac athletic secretary Jodi Badder also thought that everyone involved should take the blame.
Badder added that she recently attended a college football game and witnessed a boy, perhaps 12, yelling at the quarterback.
She feels like many, the penalties dealt out were meant to make a point.