We went to the new ice arena in Kent on Saturday.

Our child, who is 8, plays on a SKAHA team and they all had the amazing opportunity to play on the ice that day and see “backstage”. We were so grateful for that!

It was a positive family night out until fights broke out during the game and were loudly encouraged by the audience.

I know this is a reality of hockey (having grown up in Canada, I understand and appreciate the game), however, it seemed over the top.

How sad is it that our society continues to cheer fights more than an excellent play and sportsmanship?

There was worse to come.

A video was played at some point in the game, with scenes discussing a song called Lady Hump (repeated several times in case we didn’t hear it).

Then there was discussion about getting drunk, and in case we hadn’t educated our children enough about the “dark side of hockey” – we could enjoy one of the MC’s imitating smoking, on the big screen video in the middle of the rink.

To think that many parents in the SKAHA organization specifically brought their kids to see their “mentors” play hockey, and to support the economy in Kent, makes me wonder how an organization such as the T-Birds can get away with such crass choices.

On the positive side, it was a great hockey game, and the staff, particularly the ushers, were very friendly.

We want our children to experience all sports for the good of competition, for their health and for their enjoyment over all.

I hope I am not the only parent to complain as that alone would be a sad indication of our acceptance as a society.

Susan Sullivan

Issaquah