A heated debate erupted this weekend among University of Central Florida (UCF) fans and parents after a viral Facebook post called out students for chanting “F-U Kansas” during the Knights’ football game against the University of Kansas.
The controversial chant, which came through the stands during Saturday night’s matchup, has since sparked a broader discussion about sportsmanship, school spirit, and what it truly means to “Charge On.”
The conversation began when Jennifer Milewsky Bertrand posted in the UCF Parents Facebook group, expressing her disappointment at the behavior she had witnessed.
She wrote,
“Parents, I certainly don’t want to preach,” , “but if your student was in one of the student sections at the game against Kansas last night and was chanting ‘F-U Kansas,’ please have a chat with them. It was a disgusting display of what UCF is NOT… and didn’t age well as we lost. UCF is better than that and we don’t want or need that reputation. We… fans… can do so much better.” Bertrand later edited her post to add that it wasn’t just students participating in the chant — “Disappointing,”
Jennifer Milewsky Bertrand
The post gained dozens of reactions, revealing a community divided over the boundaries between passion and poor taste.
Once commented, Kristen Lmh dismissed the criticism, suggesting Bertrand must be new to the scene. She wrote,
Seems like this may have been your first football game
Kristen Lmh
Another participant countered that argument, writing,
Doesn’t matter whether it was the person’s first football. We shouldn’t accept bad behavior just because it was done before. We can be better people and lose respectfully. What did we teach our kids when they were in little league and other sports? Don’t be a sore loser.
Anonymous participant 774
Others echoed the sentiment that civility should still have a place in sports. Michelle Hendrick Bower said,
I don’t even like it when they boo. 🤣🤣🤣 But I get it.
Michelle Hendrick Bower
On the other hand, Cindy Barrato Schmidt took a broader view by stating,
Unfortunately it is a society problem, not a UCF problem. Sad!
Cindy Barrato Schmidt
Anonymous participant 940 called the outrage overblown.
Humorous and shocked someone would post this, it was all in the spirit of the game and I really doubt someone left that game saying UCF is a horrible school or would prevent their child from attending UCF because of an in-game xrated yet spirited chant. Yes we lost, but there is a loser in every game with competitive chants. Until the next game, charge on!
Anonymous Participant 940
That defense didn’t sit well with everyone. Adam Bates replied,
Anonymous participant 940 and why are you anonymous. Class needs to be had all of the way around. It’s not right and should not be the norm. This mindset is a snapshot of America right now and it’s not right
Adam Bates
Bertrand herself responded, agreeing that “we can do it better.”
Several fans shared their own experiences and perspectives. Kassie Delaney compared UCF’s behavior to Wisconsin’s:
Anonymous participant 940 exactly!! Coming from Wisconsin where UW student section chants FU / Eat Sh!t between the two student sections back and forth…. I find what UCF did as tame and part of collegiate football…
Kassie Delaney
Others pointed out that similar chants happen at games across the country. Michael McGinn commented,
We were doing the same thing when I was a student at FSU in the late 80’s. Apparently you have never been to a sporting event.
Michael McGinn
However, some social media users felt that the chant reflected poorly on the program’s image. Lisa Talkington Dreasher wrote,
I was really surprised to hear it from the students as well-and we’ve had season tickets for years. It hasn’t been happening and I found it an embarassing look. Especially on TV. There were fans on both sides being nasty and those being really great representatives of their school-being a night game with lots of alcohol doesn’t ever help.
Lisa Talkington Dreasher
Some users even tried to strike a balance. Tom Delaney admitted,
Welcome to college football. That happens everywhere. Does that make it totally acceptable, no. But at least they aren’t throwing things onto the field.
Tom Delaney
A few commenters reminded everyone that sportsmanship starts early. Lisel Doreste-Hamilton, an elementary PE teacher, said,
I actually was surprised at the same scenario at my first game. I shrugged it off but as an elementary PE teacher who teaches sportsmanship EVERY day of the year, it’s kind of hard to hear.
Lisel Doreste-Hamilton
Another parent, KnightMom2027, shared that she used to report unruly fans during games, emphasizing that “the reason why out society has no manners is that we don’t demand it.”
My Knights were brought along for several seasons from ages 8-12 when I had season tickets. It happened then……& every time I asked people to stop – mostly they did. When they didn’t I texted the reporting number to UCFPD – they must have hauled out 50!people who would not act like decent human being around my young girls. If I went today – I’d do the same thing. The reason why our society has no manners is that we don’t demand it.
KinghtMom2027
By the end of the post, Bertrand expressed appreciation for the mostly respectful discussion. She wrote,
Looks like we all have our own opinions. Imagine that. Most of us have expressed that in a respectful way. But I for one have read every comment and respect everyone for feeling the way they do. I may not agree, but that’s what makes the world go round.
Jennifer Milewsky Bertrand
Before turning off comments, she closed with a unifying note:
“I’m glad we could all discuss this with (mostly) respect. I’m going to turn off commenting so we can all enjoy the rest of our Sunday. In the meantime, GO KNIGHTS! I believe we can all agree on that!”
Jennifer Milewsky Bertrand
