UPI
Wednesday, January 24, 2007

A Wisconsin high school has banned the apparently patriotic cheer U.S.A., U.S.A., saying that for many students it is shorthand for a vulgar insult. Baraboo School Board President Kevin Vodak said the ban was approved after the district got complaints from athletic rivals about a handful of students engaged in unsportsmanlike behavior in the stands, the Baraboo News Republic reported.

But many parents, students and coaches say that the ban has had an unfortunate effort on school spirit. One parent said the stands were disconcertingly quiet at a recent boy's basketball game.

It's really sad because we went to the game on Monday night and the students never peeped the entire time, she said. Truly, they have been having more fun when they are not in their home gym because they can cheer.Baraboo High School Principal Michell Schwarz said that the double-entendre meaning of U.S.A. is not something officials made up. Most of the kids are aware -- in fact, the kids are the ones who told us, he said.