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UNC Basketball: Tyler Hansbrough, Kenny Smith join real strength manifesto

By Zack Pearson

May 20, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; TNT television personality Kenny Smith prior to game one of the Eastern Conference Finals of the NBA Playoffs between the Atlanta Hawks and the Cleveland Cavaliers at Philips Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
May 20, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; TNT television personality Kenny Smith prior to game one of the Eastern Conference Finals of the NBA Playoffs between the Atlanta Hawks and the Cleveland Cavaliers at Philips Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dove Men+Care  is teaming up with former college basketball stars to help put an end to negative fan behavior at games

Former University of North Carolina Tar Heels standouts Tyler Hansbrough and Kenny Smith are teaming up with Dove to help unify fans passion for college basketball.

With the NCAA Tournament underway, fan support is a big topic talked about each March.

Hansbrough and Smith have joined other athletes such as Jay Williams, J.J. Reddick, Tubby Smith, Paul Pierce, Al Horford, Anthony Davis and more in signing the Real Strength Manifesto.

While winning is the main goal, sportsmanship is also important especially with fans during the NCAA Tournament.

Dove found that 97 percent of men believe that they can show good sportsmanship during events without having to sacrifice their passion for their team. Aggressive fans are not fun ones, especially when it can turn to verbal and physical altercations.

The manifesto helps fans realize that.

With Hansbrough and Smith joining other athletes, fans can also pledge. All fans have to do is visit Dove Men+Care and sign the manifesto.

Here’s the messages Hansbrough and Smith posted to Twitter:

While attendance is down in college basketball, some of that blame can be put on fan behavior.

Some good research on the subject includes:

  • Aggressive fan behavior is evident at sporting events as 8 in 10 (78%) U.S men have seen aggressive fan behavior while attending a sporting event and 7 in 10 (71%) have seen aggressive fan behavior online.
  • Of those who have seen or experienced aggressive fan behavior while at a sporting event, 9 in 10 (89%) think that it negatively affects their enjoyment of the game
  • Respondents acknowledge the importance of respect and good sportsmanship for their experience at sporting events as 97% of respondents agree that sporting events are more enjoyable when fans on both sides are respectful and display sportsmanship and 86% say that when fans get rowdy and rude it ruins their sporting event experience. 
  • 97% of men believe that men can show good sportsmanship during sporting events without sacrificing their passion for their team.
  • Over half (64%) have hesitated at times to bring their child to games because of negative fan behavior.

So when you root for your team this March, be sure to join the real strength manifesto and help make attending college sporting events a better atmosphere.

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