Wisconsin Marching Band Suspended
The University of Wisconsin marching band did not perform at this weekend's game against Ohio State after longtime band director Mike Leckrone suspended the group for allegations of hazing during last week's trip to the University of Michigan, the Daily Cardinal reports. Details of the allegations are sparse, with officials suggesting they involved alcohol abuse and “inappropriate sexual behavior.”
Saturday was the first time in 40 years—the length of Leckrone's tenure—that the band did not perform at a home football game. The suspension was handed down Friday afternoon and will continue until the investigation is complete.
Leckrone said the allegations were similar to the ones from 2006, which also occurred on the Michigan trip. Two years ago, then chancellor John Wiley put the band on probation after allegations surfaced that "female band members were forced to kiss each other to gain access to the bus bathroom, at least one member had his head shaved against his will, and at least one female member was forced to mimic fellatio on a sex toy," the Badger Herald reports.
Since the 2006 probation, the band has participated in mentoring sessions and meetings to discuss appropriate behavior. But, as Leckrone says, "obviously, we still need to do more.”
Tags: Ohio State University | University of Michigan | University of Wisconsin | music
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Reader Comments
At Least Some People Did The Honorable Thing
I'm glad to see that some 70+ people stepped forward with details of the harassment. That's a good start to stopping the idiocy. Now the guilty need to resign from the band and apologize to both Director Leckrone and the people they harassed. They also need to understand that what they did went beyond "simple" hazing and may have been criminal behavior, not to mention potential lawsuits against the band and the university. Showing some real remorse might make a difference in how this turns out.
I hope the Wisconsin band gets back on its feet soon and regains its place as one of the more respected bands of the Big Ten.
To the people who were victims of hazing: You were right to come forward. Make sure things get better. If you are on the fence about quitting, don't quit. Stay with the band and make it better. As you rise to become seniors, set a high standard for the underclassmen and don't become like the people who abused you.
I am interested to hear from the Wisc. band members, current and former. How bad was it?
We didnt do anything like this in the Northwestern Marching Band in the 80s. But what I have read is sketchy enuf that it could have been very nasty or just a bit of fun, depending on how it was handled and who was participating. Kneelign and biting a piece of summer sausage, or a girl being told to mimim felatio on a sex toy... depending on the girl, could be abusive, OR knowing how sexually frank kids are today, could be something they would have fun with.
So what is it... are the ones who dont want to play forced into it, or is it just some harmless, if naughty, highjinks?
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