Posted on 12/01/2011 12:50:22 PM PST by matt04
UConn interim athletic director Paul Pendergast said he was impressed with the way the Middlesex Chamber of Commerce begins its functions with the Pledge of Allegiance and how Hartford radio icon Brad Davis uses it on his WDRC show.
And in the year of the 10th anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, Pendergast thought employing the Pledge of Allegiance before UConn basketball games would be a worthwhile tribute to the nation and enrich the university. So it has been used since the beginning of the season before the National Anthem.
"I've noticed each time we do it there has been an added crescendo of reaction," Pendergast said. "To lead into the National Anthem with the Pledge of Allegiance gives the fans a little extra insight into what the Anthem is all about. I think as a prelude to the Anthem, the Pledge has put people into a different frame of mind so that the anthem is not rote, as it sometimes seems to be. I think the two work very well together."
Not everyone thinks so. The institution of the pledge has been a topic on UConn message boards with comments on both sides.
Said one person who posted: "Count me as mostly indifferent but slightly negative after reading through the thread and hearing the various perspectives. No, there is nothing forcing anyone to participate, but yes, there will be social pressure to do so, and, depending on what else may be going on socially/culturally/politically at any given moment, it could create what is at best an unwelcoming environment for some customers and at worst something uglier."
Pendergast says if people do not want to recite it, that is their choice.
(Excerpt) Read more at ctnow.com ...
What a ‘crap their pants Leftist...’.
Pick any northern Ivy League University then, and hate this nation to your heart’s content.
UConn? Really? Excellent...
To which country? Red China?
The ACLU is gonna be all over this.
That “under God” part forces all the basketball fans to become Southern Baptists. Can’t have that. No, no, no.
Give them credit when credit is due , which it is in this case . Hats off to my alma mater .
LOVE IT!!!! :-)
PING!
Good on Pendergast.
Oh good grief, Social Pressure?
"what else may be going on socially/culturally/politically"
"could create what is at best an unwelcoming environment"
It is the Pledge of Allegiance to the united States of America, not the Satanic Verses of the Gharaniq incident.
What a frikkin drama queen...
.
Go Huskies!
UCONN BSEE ‘87
A really wonderful and worthwhile thing.
Even if it engenders just a little more love of and respect for country and fellow Americans, that is truly great.
Good for that Pendergast guy for trying to get this done! I agree.
BEST News I’ve heard in ages! I think it’s wonderful and hope other schools will follow UConn’s lead in this one.
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