Kansas State University has announced internal sanctions following Saturday’s halftime performance that made national headlines concerning the band’s playful taunt of the University of Kansas by depicting the the “U.S.S. Enterprise” from Star Trek taking on the KU “Jayhawk” mascot.
Some took the space ship as a more lewd formation.
Here is the press release sent to KMAN by the university:
Following notification from the Big 12 Conference of potential violations of its sportsmanship and ethical conduct policies, Kansas State University has agreed to sanctions with the conference office. The potential violations occurred during the first home football game Sept. 5 against South Dakota with the band’s halftime depiction of a mascot from a team other than the day’s opponent.
“At Saturday’s home football opener Kansas State University fell short of its obligation to conduct itself in a consistent manner with the principles of sportsmanship,” said President Kirk Schulz. “Good sportsmanship is part of the Wildcat way; we do not want to do anything that takes away from the tremendous efforts of our student athletes and the award-winning Pride of Wildcat Land marching band.”
After Saturday’s game, the administration formally apologized to the chancellor and athletic director at the University of Kansas, which was the mascot depicted by the band. K-State students previously signed a sportsmanship pledge as a way to increase awareness of good sportsmanship. The sanctions proposed by President Schulz demonstrate the university’s commitment to provide additional leadership in this area:
• A self-imposed $5,000 fine to be paid to the Big 12 Conference for violation of the league sportsmanship policy.
• A single-game suspension for the university director of bands. The suspension will take place Nov. 28 at the game against the University of Kansas.
• Prior approval for the content of all band halftime shows by representatives from the Office of Student Life and the Athletic Department.
“We look forward to our upcoming athletic contests with the expectation of sportsmanlike conduct from the entire K-State family,” Schulz said.
For more information, go to k-state.edu/update.
A Facebook post by the wife of K-State band director Frank Tracz in support of her husband has also been making the rounds on social media.
Jeff Morris, the Vice President for Communications and Marketing for KSU, told KMAN after the post gained steam that the complaint of unsportsmanlike conduct was not filed by KU and is strictly coming from the Big 12.
Here is the post published on Facebook by Geralyn Tracz earlier this morning.
ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!
As I watch my husband remain silent at the request of administration as his fate is decided, I feel I am under no such compulsion to do so. As Winston Churchill once said “The truth is incontrovertible. Malice may attack it, ignorance may deride it, but in the end, there it is.”
The truth of the current Internet firestorm my family is facing is that my husband and the K-State Marching Band have done NOTHING wrong.The decisions being made today stem from a complaint of unsportsmanlike conduct filed by the University of Kansas with the Big 12 Commission. To avoid the possibility of more severe sanctions, K-State is deciding how to best “handle” the situation. This situation spiraled out of control when a perceived obscene formation from last Saturday’s halftime was tweeted out to the awaiting Internet mob! Since then, my husband has received emails stating that they are trying to get his name added to the list of sexual predators as well as threats if he shows his face in Lawrence. This, all from the image of a Jayhawk fighting the Starship Enterprise in what I hope people understand was a fictional battle in space.
My husband has also received hundreds of emails and tweets of support from around the country. I have watched him try and fail to control his emotions while reading all of the heartfelt words telling him the difference he has made in their lives and expressing gratitude. He has dedicated his life to education and teaching students how to be the best they can be. Not just on the field or in the classroom, but in life. The K-State Band under his leadership has garnered a nationwide reputation of excellence on and off the field. Wherever they have traveled, bowl games to concerts, officials have written letters to our athletics and admin to say how impressed they were with our student’s respectful behavior and how well they represented K-State. To think he would put something inappropriate in a halftime performance is beyond reason.
While the Big 12 and administrators at both universities spend time debating this issue, I am struck by the absolute absurdity in the context of college football. This is a sport driven by rivalry, passionate fans, and TV revenue. Broadcasts of national rivals make for big ratings and big money. TV and sports shows thrive on it. We watch our schools mascot taunt the opposing mascot and fans. We buy T-shirts with every manner of printed slander against the opposing team. Other bands have depicted the demise of the rival school’s flag and K-State itself had Willie the Wildcat pummel someone dressed as a fan of the other team at every pre-game to the delight of the crowd until it caused physical harm and was prohibited. I have also watched time and time again as athletes break the law and never even miss a practice. And yet – here we are. The reputation of a man and this wonderful organization, who have done nothing but given their time and devotion to the university they love, will be forever tarnished by the image of a jayhawk on the football field. And a CUTE image at that!
I am appealing to all marching band members, high school and college, as well as football fans and community leaders, to express your support IN A RESPECTFUL WAY to administrators at Kansas State and University of Kansas, as well as the Big 12 commissioner. At some point, common sense has to rule and say enough is enough. The Internet can cause so much damage but it can also be a powerful tool. Time to use it for good. (I would have a link to all involved but I’m sure you Internet savvy people can find the info.) Thank you to everyone for your wonderful support and your words of encouragement to our entire family.
Geralyn Tracz – proud wife of Dr. Frank Tracz
The controversy has even caught the attention of Capt. James T. Kirk himself. Actor William Shatner, who helped make Star Trek an international phenomenon when it first aired in 1966, has voiced his comments about the incident on Twitter:
I think it’s time for the @Big12Conference leaders to step down and get their eyes checked. What a travesty! https://t.co/VDkOOA5dUl
— William Shatner (@WilliamShatner) September 8, 2015
After the game Saturday, Shatner shared these tweets on the matter on Sunday:
Yes! Did you see the plan for the formation? It’s exactly this https://t.co/9wbe8XnQgd
— William Shatner (@WilliamShatner) September 7, 2015
I wonder if Mother Nature needs to apologize for cloud formations with these same people? https://t.co/wl7jFzzvHA
— William Shatner (@WilliamShatner) September 7, 2015
Earlier this year, Shatner brought his one-man show, “Shatner’s World,” to K-State’s McCain Auditorium.
