Say what? Vols AD asks fans to clean up language

Updated: November 3, 2006, 7:53 AM ET

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Associated Press

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. -- Tennessee athletic director Mike Hamilton scolded students for "embarrassing language" yelled during a home game against Alabama and asked them to use "good judgment" in selecting cheers.

Hamilton wrote a letter to the student newspaper, The Daily Beacon, and sent an e-mail to fans on about the issue.

The No. 8 Volunteers host No. 13 LSU on Saturday. Tennessee beat Alabama 16-13 on Oct. 21, and the Vols were away at South Carolina last week.

Some fans complained about students yelling cheers laced with expletives.

"I have heard from many of you regarding chants led by our student body at the Alabama game. We ask that our fans demonstrate respect for our opponents while they are at Neyland Stadium. Our goal is to create a first-class environment to lend support to our team while maintaining a fun atmosphere for all fans," Hamilton wrote. "This type of language is an embarrassment and does not represent our institution well."

A similar sentiment by Hamilton was published in the Beacon on Oct. 26: "I am at the same time disturbed by the embarrassing language directed at the University of Alabama this past weekend. ... While we want students to serve as the twelfth man, we ask that you use good judgment on your chants during games in the future."

Meanwhile, Hamilton thanked the students for their attendance at games and said it was providing a "definite home-field advantage." Part of the student section is located behind the Tennessee bench.