Don't Boo the Kids from UND at the Bomber Game

About five months ago, the Blue Bombers invited the University of North Dakota's Marching Band, the Pride of the North to perform at Princess Auto Stadium during the tilt against the Montreal Alouettes. Certainly, Canada and the U.S. have been at trade odds for more than a year but the relationship between UND and Manitoba is a long one.

Two of our present day players, one Canadian and one American, are alumni of UND. Despite the fact that we don't have a reciprocity agreement with North Dakota as we do with Minnesota, many Canadians (particularly from Manitoba) attend specialized programs such as speech pathology to sports programs like football and hockey. The owner of the Jets is a University of North Dakota alumni. Lots of people in Manitoba went there. It is the largest university in three state only two hours away from us and 

The management and players on the team have asked fans to be kind to the kids in the marching band and any North Dakota and Minnesota people attending. The social media outrage about the UND band was white hot. It isn't the kid's fault and nor are they responsible for the timing. Traditionally, around Grand Forks and Fargo where the universities are has been friendly territory for Canadians. It may be a Republican now state but it was once dominated by Democrats federally. Elections matter. And it is evidence of how things can change back and forth.

The uncivil behavior of fans on kids is misdirected. Thankfully, most of the heat might have been unleashed online. Bomber fans need to focus on the win against Alouettes. Appreciate the CF-18 flyovers, thank military in attendance and appreciate the kids who have come to entertain you in your barn. And if you can't watch, go to the Rum Hut and fill that trap so you are in a more cordial mood.