By Shannon Wilson

I knew going into the St. Michael’s versus UVM men’s basketball exhibition game that some of the St. Michael’s team was going to kneel, and I anticipated a reaction from it, but was not prepared for what happened as the crowd began to realize players were kneeling.

The game was being dedicated to first responders, specifically those who helped save a building at UVM from a fire. After they acknowledged all the groups that helped in the efforts, the teams began to take their place for the National Anthem. I watched as the first players began to kneel and for a second, I thought there would be no reaction, until I heard the first women yell from the other side of the gym, “Stand up!” That was then followed by a wave of booing and yells from all corners of the gym.

It was mostly adults yelling when I think about it. I was mostly surrounded by what seemed to be UVM students and heard nothing from them. However, one man a few rows in front of me even yelled, “That’s Un-American!”

I did notice that after the anthem, the St. Michael’s team took to their bench without waiting for ROTC to walk off the court. I don’t know if that was intentional or just being overcome with the emotions in the room, but I do wish they had waited.

As I tried in the past few days to explain what happened to my friends and peers, I realized I couldn’t find words to truly explain how heartbreaking it was. I was glad to know that there was a video of what happened, but when I watched it, I realized that people were clapping for them. I don’t even remember the clapping, all I heard were the boos and yells.

Everyone believes what they want, but is yelling and screaming at young men, right? I honestly wish the rest of the St. Michael’s team fell on their knees, as well as the UVM team. Maybe not even for the specific reasons for kneeling during the anthem, but to show that they, literally, cannot stand to see their players being put down like that.