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UW Band on probation

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Hating the environment since 1994
    • Wisconsin band on probation for road trip disharmony

    Associated Press





    MADISON, Wis. -- The University of Wisconsin has put its marching band on probation after receiving reports of severe misconduct during a trip to Michigan last month.

    ncf_g_wisconsin_275.jpg

    Brian Bahr/Getty Images
    The Badgers made some noise in Michigan.



    The school is not releasing details on what happened during the trip to the Sept. 23 game. But Chancellor John Wiley described it in a letter to the band's director as behavior "that can be seen as anything from boorish and offensive to patently dangerous and unlawful."
    Wiley warned in the letter he would consider suspending activities and travel of the band or replacing its leadership if there were more reports of "gratuitous vulgarity, sexualized banter or joking, hazing, or other forms of demeaning conduct."
    "I say this, you know, because I do not feel I have a choice: we either solve the problem now, and the band you have built to such legendary proportions survives, or we look at virtual extinction for a significant period of time," Wiley warned in the letter to band director Michael Leckrone.
    Casey Nagy, Wiley's top aide, said the behaviors in question violated the band's code of conduct and were repeated despite previous warnings from the administration. He said some of the reports were from the bus trip home from Ann Arbor, Mich.
    "If these behaviors recur, they are immediately at risk of losing travel to any postseason competition," Nagy said.
     
    With all the rude shit they do at Wisky, what did the band do to actually compel them to do something about it? If throwing batteries at people and dumping urine on them is acceptable behavior, then I can only speculate that they did something like kidnap a dean, tie him up, set him on fire, and gangbang him in the ass while he was still on fire and the rest of the band was roasting marshmallows on the fire. Geez.
     
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    jlb1705;631975; said:
    With all the rude shit they do at Wisky, what did the band do to actually compel them to do something about it. If throwing batteries at people and dumping urine on them is acceptable behavior, then I can only speculate that they did something like kidnap a dean, tie him up, set him on fire, and gangbang him in the ass while he was still on fire and the rest of the band was roasting marshmallows on the fire. Geez.
    Click to expand...

    That's ridiculous.

    It was fondue, not marshmallows.
     
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    Link

    Reports of UW Marching Band conduct detailed
    October 12, 2006

    by John Lucas

    In an effort to foster public understanding regarding reports of misconduct by members of the University of Wisconsin Marching Band, Chancellor John D. Wiley and band director Mike Leckrone today disclosed the nature of some of the reported behavior.

    Although Wiley's post-practice meeting with the band on Thursday, Oct. 5 was intended to be an internal discussion, media reports of the meeting have sparked confusion regarding the nature and severity of the reported misconduct.

    "This sort of conduct by a valued ambassador of the university is, at the very least, an embarrassment," says Wiley. "I'm hopeful that I conveyed an unambiguous message to band members and staff - that this type of behavior will not be tolerated."

    Reports of one band member having his head shaved in a hazing incident and lewd dancing by semi-nude band members during the band's road trip to the University of Michigan on the weekend of Sept. 23 were a tipping point, Wiley says.

    "From reports we have received, it has become increasingly clear that certain types of sexualized and hazing behavior are an ingrained part of the band's culture. We will not provide an ongoing venue for this inappropriate and demeaning behavior," Wiley adds. "There is no reason to pretend that this is simply high-spirited fun."

    Reports of inappropriate conduct by some band members include:

    ? A female band member told to suck on a sex toy in an apparent hazing incident.

    ? Women being forced to kiss other women in order to gain access to bus bathrooms.

    ? Women being forced to draw pornographic pictures for older male band members, recite obscene limericks or stories, and read aloud explicit accounts of their sexual preferences composed for them by others for older male band members.

    ? The practice of women swapping shirts with males.

    ? Demeaning and abusive demands for younger band members to run errands and refill beer cups for older members.

    ? Upperclassmen have been reported to have "taken over" the dorm rooms of freshman women, supplied alcohol and demanded they join in the drinking.

    ? In 2004, band behavior in a bus led to the driver pulling over and calling for police.

    ? The Athletic Department has allocated funds to allow cheerleaders and the dance squad to travel in separate buses whenever possible, so they will not be subjected to harassment by the band.

    Leckrone says he has continually worked with the band over the years to rein in inappropriate behavior and he apologized to the band's fans.

    "Both the staff and band members are deeply sorry for the unfortunate conduct on the Michigan trip, and these other reports of unacceptable behavior. We acknowledge the need to shape up," Leckrone says.

    The band's conduct has been a matter of concern for some years. In 2000, the university established a written code of conduct for the band, and Leckrone has taken action to discipline violators in the past. Officials are currently conducting a review of the program.

    "The university has made a strong effort to improve the conduct of its fans in recent years," Wiley says. "To allow the band to continue to behave in this fashion without consequence would be unthinkable."

    The chancellor and Leckrone have had numerous discussions regarding band conduct and Leckrone has also discussed the issue with the band. Wiley says that he addressed the band a few years ago and saw temporary improvement.

    "After the most recent reports, I felt it was important to meet with the band and let them know they are on probation and that future missteps will result in consequences - including a travel ban or suspensions of performances by individuals, sections or the entire band - if they can't clean up their act," Wiley says.

    The chancellor emphasized the importance of the band - and its fans - to an exciting game-day experience, and to building school spirit.

    "I'm a big fan of the band," says Wiley. "I have had thank-you parties for them, and my wife and I have endowed a position in the band. But our pride in the band has been tested, and band members and band leadership must show they can maintain an appropriate, safe and respectful environment for everyone."

    Leckrone says he is confident that band members will be on their best behavior and will work to change its culture.

    "We'll take our medicine and move forward to become a better band, one deserving of our great fan following," he says.
    Click to expand...
     
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    even bill o'reily is on their case. he says they should be put on double secret probation. he just called their band director a loon and a convicted pedophile!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! i love it! this is hillarious. a professor tried to seduce a 15 year old boy. how bout them badgers!

    this john wiley guy is a shmuck
     
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