Wisconsin Marching Band Suspended
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?
Band
It is obviously a witch hunt - if a member of the football team behaved like this would they cancel the game - no - find out who it is (if it is anyone) solve it and go on - keep your dirty laundry private
Thats what Ohio State and every other band in the nation does
band
yeah, because auditions totally weed out miscreants. what kinds of questions would you ask in an audition to determine the quality of the people auditioning? seriously, get off the TBDB-whatever bandwagon and realize what you're suggesting.
what to do
Band members do audition, and its greuling, as I recall being a past member. We were always rowdy but this has gone too far. I hope Mike can bounce back from this - it is disrespectful to him from the band and no leader deserves to be treated this way. As Mike would say: you all are dumber than dirt.
Are there no sponsors?
Are there no adults on these busses? Were the directors not travelling with the band? If I was a parent of one of these students, that would be my first question. Particularly if this group has a history of misconduct and alcohol abuse.
If there were adults present on these busses and they allowed this kind of conduct there are bigger problems than students abusing other students.
UW Band
The only problem with the UW marching band is that it's made up of UW students. It's a party school, and a party band. Has always been thus. The students are crude and obnoxious to each other, to the opposing teams and to any opposing fans walking down the street. Not a place for the timid.
Wisconsin Band
As others have stated, there IS an audtion to get into the band--a very intense one. Not only do you need the right musical abilities, you need the right attitude to be in the UW Band. Buckster said it right in that it's difficult to judge future actions in one week of auditions. It's the same way with any audtion or job interview.
To the Razorback, alcohol is not allowed on trips, and you say it doesn't exist in your band but I would bet that you have bad apples in your group, too. I would bet that the majority of your group is honest and respectable, likes to have fun and takes pride in your band and the enjoyment you bring to your fans. I GUARANTEE that the UW Band is the same way. It's a shame that the band and the fans are suffering because of a few.
And yes, why should everyone suffer because of a few? It's because the band is a family and until it gets sorted out, they are being treated as the single unit that they are. Mike IS challenging the integrity of the group. It breaks my heart that the band wasn't at the game and is being publicly denounced. But I have a lot of respect for Mike and the group he built, and I will always, ALWAYS be proud to have been a part of the UW Band.
