Spectators' Behavior at Minor League Hockey Games: An Exploratory Study

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to assess the behavior of spectators viewing minor league hockey in Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada. The behavior of 272 (142 men, 130 women) randomly selected spectators was assessed using a special code. Spectators were observed for 10-sec. time blocks and the predominant behavior they were emitting was recorded. During each observation session, three subjects were observed in serial order for the duration of the hockey game. Significant differences were found for some behaviors of the spectators when the level of the athletes in the competition, the importance of the contest, and the sex of the spectator were considered. Spectators viewing hockey played at older ages (Bantam, Midget) watched the game more and were more negative toward the athletes. Spectators seemed to be more attentive to the game during houseleague games than to tournament and play-off games. Males tended to watch the game more than females who interacted with other spectators. The findings did not support the popular notion that spectators viewing minor league hockey are a verbally abusive group.