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Nearly 200 Penn. High School Hockey Teams Told to Nix Playing the National Anthem

Nov. 12, 2012 2:32pm Erica Ritz

Pittsburgh High School Hockey Teams Told to Cut National Anthem to Save Time, Money

(Photo: CBS Pittsburgh/KDKA)

If money is tight and time is money, is it acceptable to cut the national anthem from sporting events?

The league commissioner in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania apparently thinks so, suggesting a whopping 183 high school teams nix the few minutes it takes to honor the United States to minimize time on the ice.

CBS Pittsburgh/KDKA explains:

High school hockey must rent the ice time, so every game is carefully timed to get as many in as possible in the shortest amount of time.

“Ice is very, very hard to get and it’s not cheap,” said [Commissioner Ed Sam]. “We’re talking $300 an hour sometimes or even higher than that.”

So, when the time for a game is up, play is stopped even if the game is running over because of an over verbose singing of the National Anthem, which happened recently.

The response has been overwhelmingly negative, reports indicate, with the CBS affiliate even writing that “playing the National Anthem is as much a part of sporting events as hot dogs and yelling at the officials.”

“I go back to the 1960s with high school hockey, and it’s always been a part of it,” Bob Mock, the skating director at Center Ice, reminded. “A part of our history, and it should be a part of the game.”

Beth Spena of the Irwin area reportedly added: “I don’t agree with it. There should be some other time that can be cut.”

But Comissioner Sam now says the whole thing was only a suggestion, and asserts that it has nothing to do with patriotism.

“We are recommending the national anthem not be played, or sung, or whatever it is,” he told Fox News, but “It has absolutely nothing to do with patriotism at all. That’s the furthest thing from the truth.”

He added that many of the teams have already chosen to forgo the National Anthem, and fail to play it before games. Regardless, because of the popular backlash, he says they’ll discuss the issue at an upcoming meeting and see if they can find a way to modify the suggestion.

KDKA has more on the story:

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Comments (142)

TXVET48
Posted on November 12, 2012 at 3:10pm
I agree. Boycott the games, take away the revenue and see how quick the decision is reversed. $5 bucks a minute. I would donate the $10 to hear the anthem if I attended one of the games.

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- Jaycen
  Posted on November 12, 2012 at 3:33pm
  “We are recommending the national anthem not be played, or sung, or whatever it is,” he told Fox News, but “It has absolutely nothing to do with patriotism at all. That’s the furthest thing from the truth.”
  
  Wrong, idiot. The fact that you can’t understand it means it’s ALL ABOUT PATRIOTISM.
  
  Report this comment
- banjarmon
  Posted on November 12, 2012 at 3:36pm
  What IF someone in the stands started singing the national anthem and everybody joined in….
  
  Report this comment
- doomytram
  Posted on November 12, 2012 at 3:39pm
  Arne Duncan and Obozo will take away your “RACE” for the Top Beaucoup borrowed unedumacation doo doo dollars. If you chant USA, play Lee Greenwood’s I’m proud to be an American, Mention the Word God, Play the National Anthem or display a cross. Dear leader will buy you a bank of Ipads and Playgrounds if you don’t exhibit anything American or Godly.
  
  Report this comment
- doomytram
  Posted on November 12, 2012 at 3:44pm
  @BanJarmon if the school is a PC Obozo /Arne Duncan school then the kids will be suspended from school. Any and all of them…….similar to the kids chanting USA USA USA at a high basketball game.
  
  Report this comment
- liberaldoublestandard
  Posted on November 12, 2012 at 4:45pm
  There is a hard reality we must all face. There are not enough conservative Christians in this country. The recent election proved that the liberal progressive large city dwelling majority will from this point forward, ALWAYS impose their big government control, gay agenda, and anti-religion measures on the vast territories of the remainder of the US. The point is since you know that no amount of economic failure, job loss, or Constitutional right infringement will divert this city dwelling majority crowd from following the cult-like democrat liberal progressive vote then what option is left. These huge welfare baby factory cities will only increase in size and their education level will only decrease.
  
  Report this comment
- muffythetuffy
  Posted on November 12, 2012 at 5:44pm
  IS THIS MORE WHITE RACE SUICIDE?
  
  Why would hockey players who are all white guys refuse to sing the National Anthem? The National Anthem is the only thing left in America that keeps them free? If I were them, I would yell it out so everyone’s ear hurts.
  
  Report this comment
- Eastinfection
  Posted on November 12, 2012 at 5:58pm
  I would recommend putting the “egg-timer” on the Anthem so people aren’t tempted to go all Christina Agulierra/ stylized/ American Idol on it. Sometimes these selfish aggrandizing versions are a disgrace to the song…. But i would never eliminate it.
  
  Report this comment
- rickc34
  Posted on November 12, 2012 at 6:46pm
  Welcome to Obama’s new America were God and the Constitution are banned. It is only time until we follow in the foot steps of those empires great and mighty into the dust.
  
  Report this comment
- The Giver
  Posted on November 12, 2012 at 6:48pm
  The schools get so much tax dollars to begin with. I wouldn’t pay another dime. Let them negotiate with the teacher’s union and school administration to see why so much of the budget isn’t going to the students.
  @LIBERALDOUBLESTANDARD- My solution is for conservatives to start having lots of children then homeschool them. The left will continue aborting their children while they save the pandas. We outnumber them, and will continue to do so if we are fruitful and multiply.
  
  Report this comment
- AbrahamsSheepdog
  Posted on November 12, 2012 at 6:53pm
  This guy still has a job. You are kidding. A patriot or 2 ..well that dog will hunt its self. I can’t think how distasteful to try to use $ as excuse. Vomit
  
  Report this comment
- turkey13
  Posted on November 12, 2012 at 10:49pm
  A lot of sports wonder why NASCAR is the #2 in all sports right behind Football. Nascar plays the National Anthem with all armed Services honored at the race track and a Air Force jet flying over. This one thing Romney missed out on by not going to a track while campaining.Ronald Reagan did it and he won by a landslide.
  
  Report this comment
- TransmitToVladmir
  Posted on November 13, 2012 at 4:06am
  “Nearly 200 Penn. High School Hockey Teams Told to Nix Playing the National Anthem”
  
  Speak loud and clear: I WILL NOT COMPLY!
  Then sing the National Anthem!
  And then … PUT YOUR BOOTS ON:
  “RDDD Alert! U.S. LIBERTY TO END :: Washington D.C. Traitors To Overthrow America’s Republic!!”
  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WU9XmZQYU5A
  
  Report this comment
- stablepar
  Posted on November 13, 2012 at 3:21pm
  put a jar at the entrance and have every one toss a penny in the jar and the problem is resolved if 500 people pay to get into the game. of course in philly you may have to keep the jar under lock and key
  
  Report this comment
Alan
Posted on November 12, 2012 at 3:09pm
I say fire three bureaucrats over Pennsylvanian highschool hockey. That ought to cover the difference quite nicely.

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toiletclogga
Posted on November 12, 2012 at 3:06pm
WTF! Are you serious? It’s less than a minute. My patience is running thin!

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- doomytram
  Posted on November 12, 2012 at 3:42pm
  It’s Obozo’s Obamunist Amerika….. nothing with Crosses, God or Country. Lee Greenwood songs will be replaced with Justin Bieber worthless schwag.
  
  Report this comment
US-First
Posted on November 12, 2012 at 3:04pm
We sing it because of the freedom in this country to participate in sports from youth into old age. But freedom isn’t free and neither is hockey ice. Find another way to save a dime rather than throwing you country under the bus.

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- carhouse
  Posted on November 12, 2012 at 3:25pm
  the begining of the obabma legacy
  
  Report this comment
- Eastinfection
  Posted on November 12, 2012 at 6:02pm
  If they are booking ice time that tightly, they should reduce the length of the games by a couple minutes per period.
  
  Report this comment
Treaty
Posted on November 12, 2012 at 3:03pm
Liberalism. Soon the Constitution will be a meaningless piece of paper that only old men remember.

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- CulperGang
  Posted on November 12, 2012 at 3:17pm
  The Constitution has been meaningless since 9/11 aka Patriot Act..NDAA…unelected tzars….TSA
  ALL ILLEGAL as per the Constitution where have you been?? Oh, and lets not forget the FOREIGN POTUS……………….
  
  Report this comment
- oldguy49
  Posted on November 12, 2012 at 3:18pm
  i guess i am one of those old men…..but i can still pull a trigger
- CatB
  Posted on November 12, 2012 at 3:32pm
  @OLDGUY .. right there with you!
  
  Remember Benghazi
  
  Report this comment
- Army_of_One
  Posted on November 13, 2012 at 8:12am
  Right there with you boys…
  
  Report this comment
poster
Posted on November 12, 2012 at 3:02pm
Someone should suggest playing it while the Zamboni cleans the ice. Let’s see what the real motive is.

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MadJuan
Posted on November 12, 2012 at 3:02pm
The National Anthem? How does that tune go…Hmmm…Seems like I remember singing that song “EVERYDAY” at School, Soooooo long ago….Hmmm… And we said The Lord’s Prayer TOO!!!

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- Befuddle
  Posted on November 12, 2012 at 4:24pm
  I agree with you! What happened to “God Bless America” and “Oh, Beautiful for Spacious Skies” All of the radio stations and TV ads should be blasting these song all day! I think it would be great if Glenn Beck started and ended his radio/TV shows with these songs. I think it would help ito install pride in our great country. I can remember as a child singing these songs and how proud it made me feel. I don’t think the majority of the children today even heard of these songs. It’s becoming very sad.
  
  Report this comment
curmudgeon60
Posted on November 12, 2012 at 2:59pm
Philly Schools just borrowed $300 Million to pay their bills!!!!! Decided 3 days ago! UNIONS!

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2MINUTESTOMIDNIGHT
Posted on November 12, 2012 at 2:58pm
Moochelle has never been so proud of her country.

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jackact
Posted on November 12, 2012 at 2:57pm
If this secularism continues to persist there may come a day In the near future (April 14th for example) where millions of federal income taxpayers decide to withhold their taxes. I could almost guarantee that within 24 hours “We the People” would be making the decisions regarding when and where we pray
Think about it.

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- BODYBAG
  Posted on November 12, 2012 at 3:10pm
  That is the way to make a HUGE impact, no doubt.
  Cut their money off.
  
  “We The People” better start making some decisions quick
  
  Report this comment
- tacklemaker
  Posted on November 12, 2012 at 4:16pm
  I wish we could get a National movement going were EVERYONE who pays taxes would change withholding so zero dollars would be deducted from our paychecks for withholding. You can do this legally by claiming Married with say 20 deductions on your W4. We would obviously have to save that money and render it unto Caesar on April 15th but it sure would send a message when those dollars stopped coming in and the government had to find someone to borrow from until taxes were filed. It would also shock people on April 15 to see what they actually pay in tax instead of celebrating their “refund”.
  
  Any thoughts on how to get this done? Do you think this is something Glenn could start?
  
  Report this comment
- ANTISOCIAL-IST
  Posted on November 12, 2012 at 4:27pm
  and on april 13 these traitors should all be swinging from lamp posts in the town square.
  
  Report this comment
- taxpro4u03
  Posted on November 12, 2012 at 7:45pm
  “Show me the LAW…” (corporations can do what they want……. are you a ‘corp agent?’ and/or a citizen of yer state? — YOU decide)
  
  Report this comment
- ANTISOCIAL-IST
  Posted on November 12, 2012 at 8:20pm
  @tax: check out scotus – registered corporation. we’re being ruled by corporations, at every level. who the freak is a corporation, which its ceo’s and b.o.d. to tell me to do anything? f all of them. while you’re at it, but you probably already know since you’re TaxPro, check out the i.r.s.
  cheers.
  
  Report this comment
starman70
Posted on November 12, 2012 at 2:56pm
The parents of the High School Hockey palyers should not attend any game. The loss of revenue paid by the parents should convince the idiots who made this suggestion that they have their collective heads inserted so far in their rectal cavity, they need a glass belly button to see from.

Pennsylvania has many thousands of veterans who proudly served this country and are proud to have the National Anthem played at every and any sporting event. They need to stand united against this stupidity.

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- CatB
  Posted on November 12, 2012 at 3:30pm
  Wonder how many games they would play .. WITHOUT ANY PLAYERS? .. My kid would be off the team so fast they wouldn’t know what hit them .. I bet they would fold like a cheap suit.
  
  Remember Benghazi
  
  Report this comment
TTimTexas
Posted on November 12, 2012 at 2:54pm
Since the state voted for Obama this is not completely a surprise, that sounds like something an Obama supporter would initiate. They probably won’t have a United States flag or a prayer before the games either. What is surprising is that they have not initiated playing the USSR national anthem, they haven’t thought of that yet.

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- 2MINUTESTOMIDNIGHT
  Posted on November 12, 2012 at 3:49pm
  That depends on what the definition of “vote” is.
  
  Report this comment
- ANTISOCIAL-IST
  Posted on November 12, 2012 at 4:32pm
  soon to be replaced with the “obeyme flag” and prayer rugs.
  catb is correct; all players’ parents should remove their children from every team impacted asap. then, let’s talk about money. jagovs.
  
  Report this comment
lynnissmart
Posted on November 12, 2012 at 2:54pm
They couldn’t think of a better excuse to demean America? These anti-Americans belong in China!

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RightUnite
Posted on November 12, 2012 at 2:54pm
Looks like it may be time to stop playing high school hockey…. This is B as in B, S as in S.

Remember Benghazi!!

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chucksue351
Posted on November 12, 2012 at 2:51pm
just cut the athem to “oh say can you see, obama’s back in town”

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Smokey_Bojangles
Posted on November 12, 2012 at 2:48pm
If things are that bad,Maybe the Hockey should be cut?

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- hauschild
  Posted on November 12, 2012 at 2:50pm
  Bingo!
  
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- TSUNAMI_22
  Posted on November 12, 2012 at 2:56pm
  Boycott the ice rinks until they go broke from NON-RENTAL. I’m sure roller-hockey would catch fire and be just as entertaining.
  
  Report this comment
- The_Jerk
  Posted on November 12, 2012 at 2:56pm
  The minutes playing the national anthem are better spent than the minutes playing hockey. Our history is proving that.
  
  Report this comment
- Chromo200
  Posted on November 12, 2012 at 3:23pm
  Never happen the parent will keep it going because their children are NHL material and they are going to make a lot of money and be on easy street.
  
  Report this comment
- brother_ed
  Posted on November 12, 2012 at 3:32pm
  High School hockey (and football), will soon be a thing of the past.
  
  Too many concussions…too expensive…etc.
  
  Soon, PE will be farmed out also.
  
  Deion Sanders is starting a trend with his charter schools that will soon be the rage among high school athletes.
  
  Report this comment
Edohiguma
Posted on November 12, 2012 at 2:47pm
Cause a handful of minutes make a difference in a venue where the ice is on 24 hours a day…

Stupid.

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Freebird
Posted on November 12, 2012 at 2:46pm
This was only a test.After the election results last Tuesday,the liberals just wanted to see the reaction to such an idiotic idea.

Just a trial balloon.

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4truth2all
Posted on November 12, 2012 at 2:45pm
This guy sounds like he should be in the clown story …

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Dde13
Posted on November 12, 2012 at 2:44pm
5 bucks a minute or higher…..why…..energy cost? Insurance? Why is the cost so high?
Makes me wonder what else will be sacrificed due to higher cost. Obummercare?

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- cykonas
  Posted on November 12, 2012 at 3:05pm
  This is Pittsburgh. It’s union ice. That’s why is so expensive.
  
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- Yeah_Buddy
  Posted on November 12, 2012 at 5:28pm
  Can’t they just skate on frozen ponds during the winter? I did as a kid there. Cost = free.
  
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Gourdy
Posted on November 12, 2012 at 2:40pm
Wow, this is one of the dumbest ideas I’ve heard recently. There aren’t two minutes they can cut elsewhere? And are the venue owners so petty that they’d charge another hour even if taking that little bit of time out made a match go a bit over?

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lel2007
Posted on November 12, 2012 at 2:39pm
If PA is down to shaving seconds of ice time, why not cut on-ice warmup time? Players can do their streching and such off ice.

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funwithguitars
Posted on November 12, 2012 at 2:37pm
As far as I’m concerned, include the anthem or quit playing the game!

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- neverending
  Posted on November 12, 2012 at 2:49pm
  As far as I’m concerned they can catch the next plane to China or Russia or any place of their choice – a one way ticket that is.
  
  Report this comment
- Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
  Posted on November 12, 2012 at 3:44pm
  Recall well what Micheal Obama declared: “We must change our culture, our history and customs.”
  
  The repression and annihilation of the National Anthem is one stated goal of changing our culture and customs. She has no love for freedom or a Republic.
  
  Report this comment
HKS
Posted on November 12, 2012 at 2:37pm
Just contract it out to China.

“Remember Benghazi”

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chips1
Posted on November 12, 2012 at 2:37pm
I just opened a fun sized M&M’s and got 7 blue ones. That’s not a good omen. Stand by!!!

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- Freebird
  Posted on November 12, 2012 at 3:47pm
  If it only worked like in The Matrix,eat the blue one.
  At least for you,the story will end,you’ll wake-up in your bed and believe whatever you want to believe.
  The rest of us get to stay in “wonderland”,and find out how deep this rabbit hole goes.
  
  Report this comment

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