Iowa State, Iowa ADs Urge Better Fan Behavior Towards Opponent’s Marching Bands
Athletics directors for Iowa State and Iowa released a joint statement Wednesday, asking fans to cut back on poor behavior both fan bases have directed towards the opposing teams’ marching bands. The statement said their marching bands “have been the target of unacceptable behavior” during games at both schools in recent years.
“Both the University of Iowa and Iowa State University are committed to providing a safe environment for everyone attending events on their respective campuses,” Iowa athletic director Gary Barta and Iowa State athletic director Jamie Pollard said in the news release. “This includes members of the school’s marching bands. Unfortunately, both the Hawkeye and Cyclone marching bands have been the target of unacceptable behavior at football games in Iowa City and Ames in recent years. Some of the conduct directed at the students in our respective marching bands recently has been rude, vulgar, and in some cases, violent.”
The two-man press release came after allegations on Monday made by Barta, which alleged that “inappropriate actions” were made toward staff members and students of the Hawkeye marching band at last Saturday’s game in Ames.
The statement went on to say, “We should all feel embarrassed when students in the bands don’t feel safe when performing at an away game. Each of our athletics departments is committed to doing whatever is necessary to improve the environment for visiting school marching bands in the future. A significant part of the solution is insisting our fans help address this issue by showing more respect to our visitors. We owe it to these hardworking performers to have a safe stage on which they can showcase their spirit and talent.”
Neither school gave any more details to what exactly happened at Saturday’s game.
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