BTW, the article cites @ the end the East Carolina chancellor supporting the knee-benders; however per another media source -- The NewsObserver ( Radio station refuses to broadcast ECU game after band protest), "On Monday, three ECU officials, including Band Director William Staub, seemed to change course, saying officials had met with the band and that 'protests of this nature by the Marching Pirates will not be tolerated moving forward.'”
What I find interesting is I've reviewed about a dozen nation-wide articles on this topic...and only two of them bothered to mention East Carolina University's change of attitude toward the band students.
Most media outlets are seemingly intentionally leaving that out of the story!
I say, let ANY band member do what he/she wants out of sync with the rest of the band members in ANY performance, including play out of tune. It doesn't mean the given university has to continue having them don a uniform or play in public representing the university. I mean if "free expression" is king then why bother with matching uniforms? Why bother playing in sync? Why bother marching in sync? They could just all do what they want like the spoiled individualists they seemingly desire to be.
No big deal. No money involved. Plus uou can punish kids. Colleges and the NFL?
They should be given a ticket to Europe or Africa. See how long before they cry to be let back in. If they are let back in they'll never go on their knees during the anthem even if they have a medical condition
About time!!!!
Awesome!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Good for this radio station.
Of all the “protests” we’ve seen since the dawn of the Kaepernick era, marching bands should be the easiest to control. I doubt that the band director or chancellor would support band members who decided to play music of their own choosing rather than the program; or members that march in a different direction from everybody else. Such insubordination would likely lead to people being kicked off the squad. Refusing to stand for or play the National Anthem can be considered part of the band “routine”. Those that refuse to follow it should be kicked out of the band. If they are going to school on a band/music scholarship, they can shove those scholarships where the sun don’t shine.
Performers have to get the message that they have no right to make a political statement during their performance, to a captive audience.
They do have a right to make a political statement, but they have to obtain that audience themselves.
Selfish bastards.
Stop watching them, and their organization until they fix this.
Weird. Most band leaders rule over the band with an iron baton. I’m surprised a little bit that the director didn’t tell them to go pound sand.
OTOH, given our “good is bad” world, the band director may have feared for his/her career and even his/her life if he/she would have taken a stand.
It doesn’t mean the given university has to continue having them don a uniform or play in public representing the university
B I N G O!
Put that is your 'safe zone', dummies.
Smart move by the station; Fayetteville is less than 100 miles from the ECU campus, but I can’t imagine the games are a big revenue generator—you find more ECU alums in eastern North Carolina and the Triangle area. And, the station can always provide “make-up” spots for sponsors whose commercials would ordinarily air during the game.
On the other hand, Fayetteville is home to Fort Bragg, Pope AAF and more than 50,000 active duty soldiers and airmen. And a lot of businesses that depend on that population for their livelihood are owned by military retirees, veterans and dependents. I’m guessing the station’s sales reps will find it much easier to sell air time after their ECU decision. So, the station manager not only made the right call for his market, he will also see a bump in ad sales and revenue.
Good.
Don’t invite the bands
Protest all you want but on your own time. Some have not learned that. I hope those taking a knee are suspended or removed from the band.
All this kneeling junk reminds me of the John Wooden/Bill Walton sagas. Bill had grown a ponytail and John had told him to get it it cut. Bill said it was his right and Coach told him that was his right to decide who plays or not. Bill had it cut that day.
Another time Bill wanted to make a political statement at a game and Wooden told him it was nice having him on the team and wished him luck in the future.
May Coach RIP.