The college sportsmanship summit in Dallas February 20 accomplished what it was intended to do -- incite national discussion on fan behavior. It was about time. The increasingly destructive conduct displayed by raucous fans during and after college and university athletics contests is a trend that should and can be curtailed.

This is certain to be a controversial issue, given the entitlement many fans feel to celebrate team victories and show loyalty to their teams. But the problems that have escalated, especially during the recent football season, have made this an issue that must be addressed now, before the costs to people and property get out of hand.

I know fan behavior can be changed because I've seen it happen at our university. During my first hockey season as president of St. Cloud State, I received several letters from individuals who were appalled by the language they were hearing from charged-up students and other fans who joined in the profanity. One letter began: "As a family and season ticket holders to Husky hockey games, we write this letter imploring you to bring a screeching halt to the obscenities and profanities that are being repeatedly shouted in a cavalier manner at your Husky games." Complaints and concerns also were expressed about the safety risks of students running the university logo flag around the arena and attracting a trail of followers.

In the past, such complaints had been answered with apologies and claims that freedom of speech prevented the university from eliminating offensive chants. But two years ago, the athletics director, the hockey coach, a group of student fans, the university newspaper, and campus staff and administrators got together to forge an alliance to alter the situation. We didn't preach, but we appealed to the fans with reasonable requests and posted the NCAA sportsmanship statement in prominent places, including the rest rooms. That statement is:

"The NCAA promotes good sportsmanship by student-athletes, coaches and spectators. We request your cooperation by supporting the participants and officials in a positive manner. Profanity, racial or sexist comments, or other intimidating actions directed at officials, student-athletes, coaches or team representatives will not be tolerated and are grounds for removal from the site of competition. Also, consumption or possession of alcoholic beverages and tobacco products is prohibited."

I am pleased to report that the result of our common resolve has been a positive improvement in the atmosphere at our hockey games. Sure, some said it couldn't be done, but we took the challenge and succeeded. In fact, the effect was nearly instantaneous.

A big part of the credit has to go to the student organization, the Dogg Pound Club, that has become a high-profile and colorful part of the contingent of student fans who consistently crowd the National Hockey Center at SCSU. The Dogg Pound had been an enthusiastic presence at Husky hockey games for years, but it was a loosely knit group. When we made the commitment to fix the problem of too much profanity at games, a big part of the solution was to recognize and involve this student group. The Dogg Pound became an official student organization; coach Craig Dahl talked to them about the desire to have a more positive atmosphere during games, and he stopped by to greet them and support their activities before games. The athletics department provides other incentives to the Dogg Pound at each game, such as free popcorn, pizza or other prizes. My wife Barbara and I visit the Dogg Pound section at every game we attend, and my office provided the organization with a large fan flag that has become a highly visible part of their section in the National Hockey Center.

According to a January article in the University Chronicle, SCSU's student newspaper, "Since its conception in the 2000-01 season, the Dogg Pound Club has had an overwhelming, positive impact on the team and the university itself. The club takes a lot of pride in the fact that the NHC is regarded as one of the best environments to watch a college hockey game, according to an online survey conducted by the WCHA's Web site."

Dogg Pound Club President Kelly Cummins is pleased with the change and the heightened status of the organization. "People who attend the games from the St. Cloud community, they've come up to me and said, 'Thank you, I feel good about bringing my kids to games,' which makes it worthwhile," he told the Chronicle. "You can yell, holler and be crazy all you want, but you can do it without swearing."

Roy H. Saigo is the president of St. Cloud State University.