This weekend marks what could easily be voted the most important football game of the entire year. Statewide fans are choosing sides for Sept. 13’s big game. Some have been lifelong fans, or if you’re like me, you may have switched sides when you chose your university. Regardless of which team you’re cheering for this weekend, there will more than likely be some back-and-forth banter with someone on the opposing side. What is important for both sides to remember is to keep that banter friendly.

As Iowans, the Cy-Hawk game is a time that all of us can come together to celebrate a common interest: football. In previous years, Iowa and ISU fans have gotten steadily more aggressive toward one another. Fights have broken out at tailgates and even in the stands at the game. Though it is wonderful to have pride in your school, it is not worth physically hurting someone else. 

Beating up a fan on the sideline is not going to make your team play better on the field.

This is a call to action for the students to be safe while traveling to Iowa City this weekend. We have already said in editorials earlier this year that going to the game and getting drunk is not worth spending the night in jail. If you go to jail, that is your own mistake — just be ready for that to follow you around for the rest of your life. I am suggesting that you be careful by making sure to not misrepresent our university and our values. University of Iowa, however, is known for giving the visiting team a hard time. In fact, it has been recognized for its hostility toward the opposing fans. 

Last year, a full beer can was thrown at an ISU cheerleader’s head, simply because she had “ISU” on her shirt, according to an article by Iowa Watch. When heading over to Iowa City, students should not only try to be safe but also remember to not stoop down to the Iowa fans’ level. We should hold ourselves to a higher standard and create an encouraging and enjoyable environment for football games rather than make fans nervous to come.

It is not suggested that we let Iowa bully us from coming to the game — in fact, I suggest the complete opposite. We should go to the game and represent our school in a classy way. Let’s show Iowa City that we will not be bullied away from coming to watch our football team play. As far as sportsmanship goes, however, we should not go on the road in attempts to cause Hawkeye fans any physical pain.

If we expect Iowa fans to show any respect toward us, we must in turn show respect to them. We are all here to celebrate football in the state of Iowa. Having some smack talk back and forth can be fun, but there is a line that should not be crossed and when people are getting hurt or have to worry about their safety, then people are stepping over that line.