UW Cracks Down On Band After Road Trip Incident
Chancellor Reprimands Marching Band
Posted: 10:24 pm CDT October 10, 2006
MADISON, Wis. -- The University of Wisconsin chancellor has issued a stern reprimand to the UW-Madison band following an alleged incident that occurred on a road trip to Michigan.
VIDEO: Watch The ReportThe incident occurred on a September road trip to Ann Arbor, Mich., for the Badger football game, and although no one will provide details of the incident in question, it has the university's administration clamping down on the band."I think it certainly includes facets that people might consider hazing, but I think it also includes other aspects that violate of the code of conduct," said Casey Nagy, chief of staff in the Chancellor's Office.Chancellor John Wiley met with band members last week during one of their practices."If it appears that a unit of the band, (if) a section of instruments perhaps is the cause of this kind of behavior, then we will contemplate suspending that unit and we'll go on without it," Nagy said. "And if, worst case scenario, this kind of conduct recurs and it appears systemic throughout the band, the chancellor was very clear we'll suspend the band."Longtime UW-Madison Band Director Mike Leckrone said he believed this incident doesn't reflect the band as a whole."I think the band members are very proud of what we do, and I think in instances like this you're talking about a very small minority," Leckrone said.Leckrone said that because of incidents in the past, they've made efforts to stop behavior that mars the band's image."I think we constantly are trying to do better things, and once in a while you feel like you failed in your efforts. But we've been instituting more rank leader meetings and those have been very effective," Leckrone said.Band members said they hope the warning will raise the level of performance all around."I think people are going to be more willing to step up and say, no, that's something you shouldn't be doing because it's a shared responsibility throughout the band," said Drum Major Adam Gill."I think it's just going to re-establish the fact that you have to be a good person on and off the field, and that you're representing the university at all times," said Assistant Drum Major Jeff Gelhausen.Leckrone said the students involved in what happened on the Michigan trip have been disciplined, but he would not elaborate.
VIDEO: Watch The ReportThe incident occurred on a September road trip to Ann Arbor, Mich., for the Badger football game, and although no one will provide details of the incident in question, it has the university's administration clamping down on the band."I think it certainly includes facets that people might consider hazing, but I think it also includes other aspects that violate of the code of conduct," said Casey Nagy, chief of staff in the Chancellor's Office.Chancellor John Wiley met with band members last week during one of their practices."If it appears that a unit of the band, (if) a section of instruments perhaps is the cause of this kind of behavior, then we will contemplate suspending that unit and we'll go on without it," Nagy said. "And if, worst case scenario, this kind of conduct recurs and it appears systemic throughout the band, the chancellor was very clear we'll suspend the band."Longtime UW-Madison Band Director Mike Leckrone said he believed this incident doesn't reflect the band as a whole."I think the band members are very proud of what we do, and I think in instances like this you're talking about a very small minority," Leckrone said.Leckrone said that because of incidents in the past, they've made efforts to stop behavior that mars the band's image."I think we constantly are trying to do better things, and once in a while you feel like you failed in your efforts. But we've been instituting more rank leader meetings and those have been very effective," Leckrone said.Band members said they hope the warning will raise the level of performance all around."I think people are going to be more willing to step up and say, no, that's something you shouldn't be doing because it's a shared responsibility throughout the band," said Drum Major Adam Gill."I think it's just going to re-establish the fact that you have to be a good person on and off the field, and that you're representing the university at all times," said Assistant Drum Major Jeff Gelhausen.Leckrone said the students involved in what happened on the Michigan trip have been disciplined, but he would not elaborate.Copyright 2006 by Channel 3000. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
