Imagine being told to shower before a hockey game – that’s exactly what happened to fans of the Oshawa Generals, and it’s sparked quite a conversation! The Ontario Hockey League (OHL) team recently sent out an email that, well, let's just say it raised a few eyebrows and, unfortunately, some strong opinions.
This whole kerfuffle began when Jason Hickman, the Oshawa Generals' Director of Ticket Sales and Service, sent a message to season ticket holders. The email included a rather direct request: “If you went to the gym or did something that produced body odour, please shower before attending the game.” This was part of a broader message encouraging fans to maintain personal hygiene, which also included reminders to use hand-sanitizing stations, cover coughs and sneezes, and generally be mindful of cleanliness while sharing the arena space. The team framed these as essential steps for keeping everyone healthy and ensuring events run smoothly.
But here's where it gets a bit sticky: the request to shower before attending a game, especially in a city sometimes nicknamed "the Dirty ‘Shwa," didn't sit well with everyone. While the team later issued an apology on social media, stating, “it’s not our place to overstep like we did. We are sorry and hopefully we can wash this one off,” the initial email certainly made waves.
According to reports, Hickman mentioned that he receives numerous complaints from fans about strong body odours from fellow attendees, such as the smell of "cat pee, bad breath, this, that and everything else." He indicated that these complaints have become more frequent recently.
And this is the part most people miss: One fan, who preferred to remain anonymous due to her ties to the OHL, found the email amusing but acknowledged it could reinforce negative stereotypes about Oshawa. She suggested that if the team had concerns about fan hygiene, a more personal, in-person approach would have been far better than a broad email that could alienate the very fans they rely on.
This situation really makes you think, doesn't it? While we all want a pleasant experience at public events, where do you draw the line between a helpful reminder and an overreach? Was the Oshawa Generals' email a genuine attempt to improve the fan experience, or did it cross a line into being unnecessarily intrusive? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below – we'd love to hear if you think this was a relatable issue or a misstep by the team!
