“They Booed 5-Year-Olds”: Pittston Area Student Section Under Fire for Game-Night Behavior
Malloy also referenced a pep rally earlier in the week, during which the spirit squad shouted "Freshman suck," highlighting a pattern of disrespectful behavior.
October 27, 2026
This article was last updated by Alisha Shrestha on October 27, 2026
The Pittston Area High School student section is at the center of a heated debate after their behavior during last Friday, October 24, 2026, football game against Wyoming Area drew widespread criticism.
Spectators reported that the student spirit squad, which cheers on the home team, booed and jeered Wyoming Area’s youngest football players, some as young as 5, sparking concerns about sportsmanship and school culture.
Community member Gail Malloy the incident in a Facebook post, describing it as “very embarrassing” and “a disgusting example of sportsmanship.”
According to Malloy, the student section not only jeered at young players during pre-game introductions but also ignored the cheerleaders who were attempting to lead coordinated cheers.
She further reported that the students threw cans of silly string and confetti behind them, endangering spectators and demonstrating a lack of consideration.
Malloy also referenced a pep rally earlier in the week, during which the spirit squad shouted “Freshman suck,” highlighting a pattern of disrespectful behavior.
She urged parents to speak with their children about the importance of school spirit and proper sportsmanship. She ,
“Those little kids didn’t deserve that, and it made Pittston look like bullies,”
Community reactions on Facebook were immediate and strongly worded. Kathryn Golecki recalled previous incidents, ,
When pittston played Dallas a large group of teenagers shouted profanity throughout the stadium and parking lot. There were many small children around to witness this very unsportsmanlike behavior
Alaysia Mulkerin emphasized the emotional impact on the youngest players:
you do realize that those were LITTLE children getting booed right? if i had a kid i would be pissed too because u do realize kids have self esteem and don’t know how to ignore others and not take it to heart… even if u don’t have a kid think about if u have a young sibling, cousin, etc. you’d be pissed too.
Bridget Harvey, mother of one of the young players, ,
As the mama of those little kids I could NOT believe what I was hearing. They should all be ashamed of themselves
Several commenters encouraged the school to take formal action. Daisy Gen advised,
Email the admin, the school board and the athletic director. It’s taken A LOT more serious than posting on FB.
Rose Randazzo, a former cheerleading captain, called for accountability, ,
Thank you for this post. This is very sad. I agree with you Gail. If the Spirit Squad cannot act appropriately and support the Cheerleaders and Team, it should be immediately dismantled. Teaching kids good sportsmanship is crucial because it builds character and develops essential life skills like Respect , Teamwork and Resilience. The behavior you describe above to me, as a mother and former Captain of the Cheerleading Squad many years ago, is completely unacceptable.
However, others defended the students and the longstanding traditions of rivalry games.
Dana Kistler and Christa Farinella pointed out that the “Freshmen suck” chant has been a fixture at pep rallies for decades.
Current student Haylee Jones defended the squad, ,
lmaoo as a pittston area student that was in the pep squad this is our rivalry so whatever is said by them will be booed apparently you’re to soft now to remember and as for the cheerleaders most of them are just straight up mean girls but again you are just a person in the stands and seem to not know anything a rivalry game it is supposed to be aggressive on both sides to support the better school grow up and stop talking about CHILDREN
Theo Waiter added, “Booing is not a crime,” while Connor Cawley said, “It’s a rival game. If you don’t like it, don’t go to games.”
The debate also raised questions about adult supervision. Mike Peregrim asked, “Where was the AD or any administrator?”
Helen Reedy noted that school groups typically have adult moderators who oversee.
Tiff Crisp-Walsh added that administrative leadership is limited due to staff being on leave, complicating accountability measures.
Several commenters reflected on broader concerns about student behavior and school culture.
Nancy Hua ,
“Children aren’t learning what they should from parents and school officials. Bullies are becoming increasingly popular and acceptable.”
Michelle Johnson echoed the sentiment, ,
Sports are out of control! I see so many comments saying freshman sucks is a traditional thing?! What kind of tradition is that? Maybe this tradition should end! Just because someone started something of poor character 30 years ago doesn’t make it funny or ok. Hee is the deal. People have pushed the line of what is acceptable toooooo far.
Some alumni and community members recalled past rivalries, noting that competition between Pittston Area and Wyoming Area has historically been intense.
Molly McHale Piazza ,
“Back in the ’70s, we did cheer against the other team, but it ended when the game ended. This is sad.”
Jon Will Jr. and Caylee Carey pointed out that Wyoming Area students also engaged in aggressive chants, highlighting the reciprocity of rivalry behavior.
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