W. Va. Gov. Seeks Apology From U. of Va.

AP via Lycos.com ^ | 12/30/2002a

[GeneD]

Gov. Bob Wise on Monday demanded an apology from the University of Virginia because a pep band lampooned his state's rural image during the halftime show of a college football bowl game.

Saturday's Continental Tire Bowl pitted the University of Virginia against West Virginia University. At halftime, Virginia's student-run pep band staged a parody of The Bachelor," with a male Virginia student choosing between two female contestants.

The contestant said to be from West Virginia wore blue overalls and pigtails, had a talent for square dancing and declared a dream to move to Beverly Hills, Calif. -- a reference to "The Beverly Hillbillies."

"This type of performance merely perpetuates the unfounded stereotypes that we in West Virginia are fighting so hard to overcome," Wise said in a letter to University of Virginia President John T. Casteen.

University officials said Casteen would issue a statement Tuesday. Adam Lorentson, the band's director, did not return telephone messages Monday evening.

Leonard Sandridge, the university's executive vice president and chief operating officer, called the performance "inappropriate" and said it offended fans of both teams.

Sandridge declined to say what, if any, sanctions would be imposed on the pep band. In previous years, officials have barred the band from marching at halftime of home games.

Ken Haines, the bowl game's executive director, said the pep band is not welcome at future Tire Bowls.

He said he approved a five-paragraph script band officials presented before the game, but "their performance was more embellished. The execution by the pep band was not in the same tone that we were led to believe."

Virginia won Saturday's game, 48-22.

The pep band poked fun at West Virginia at halftime of the last Virginia-West Virginia football game, in 1985. That performance, a parody of "Family Feud," included derogatory references to indoor plumbing and birth control.

[driftless]

What would they call a bowl game if Tidy Bowl sponsored it?

[MadelineZapeezda]

Beautifully stated. They don't call it 'Almost Heaven' for nothing!

[Nuke'm Glowing]

"What would they call a bowl game if Tidy Bowl sponsored it?"

Temple vs. Vanderbuilt ????

[driftless]

I drove through West V one time. If they straightened out your highways, and your state by extension, West V would extend halfway around the world. Beautiful scenery though he said as he clutched the steering wheel with white knuckles and kept to the inside lane.

[eddie willers]

I love every crooked mountain road

Back in the late seventies, I was on an 8 week long business trip which required I travel in a rented van making sales calls to Western Auto stores all over the Southeast.

One leg was to a town in eastern WV and I got stuck behind a truck carrying timber. I don't believe that at any point (up or down) we went above 5 MPH.
Longest nerve-racking drive I can remember. (FORGET about passing!)

I don't what town that was, but my next call required I meet someone at the airport in Roanoke VA., so I crossed over into Virginny, and started driving sleepily south through this monotonous valley road when all off a sudden, it looks like a golf fairway on the left.

I mean here out in the middle of NOWHERE!

I stare in amazement at these golf holes rolling by when I round a corner and come upon a Clubhouse Mansion.

I mean here out in the middle of NOWHERE!

Hundreds of Golf carts...beautiful grounds.

I mean here out in the middle of NOWHERE...LOL!

So when I finally got home I looked at a map and traced where it was I saw the "mirage".

Hot Springs VA. and it was the Homestead.

Anyone who, like me, is not familiar with this place, it's got a fascinating history.

[LilithUnfair]

Yes I know all of that as I live here. It still, of course makes no logical sense as you are aware. I have no sympathy for people in WV as they don't try to climb out of it, they merely keep taking money to roll in their self pity.

I'd love to see one of your letters to Byrd, I bet it's hilarious. :)

[LilithUnfair]

Er, let me rephrase.... I have no sympathy for the poor people that keep voting democrat. Or any people that keep voting dem.

Gotta learn to preview my posts.

[Maedhros]

virginia r0x0r; west virginia sux0r

[ZULU]

"Gov. Bob Wise on Monday demanded an apology from the University of Virginia because a pep band lampooned his state's rural image during the halftime show of a college football bowl game."

He's right. They should have lampooned the state for that brain-dead liberal nee kukluxer Byrd-brain.

[Darnright]

"They need to apologize for playing in the Tire Bowl!"

Hey, ArcLight, look on the bright side, it could have been the American Standard Toilet Bowl!

Go Hoos!

[Maximum Leader]

West Virginia is a great state. I was in Charleston for a several months for a work project. The mountains are beautiful and West Viriginians are very friendly-- my car got stuck in the snow and within 2 minutes, three people stopped to help me out, see how long you wait in Boston.

Last but not least, there are an awful lot of sweet, pretty girls there, every time I hear "Coalminer's Daughter", I have very fond memories of a coalminer's daughter I dated there.

Sadly, she just sent me an e-mail that she just got married. Like the song says, all my old flames have new names. :)

[WVNan]

I hate it too that so many get fooled by the dims. But I do believe that it's beginning to change as communications improve. I don't know about progress though. Progress brings too many other problems that we don't need or want. Even with 12% unemployment in our county, I don't see much evidence of poverty. The people seem to be resourceful. I've lived in too many places that were Progressive. You can have them all. I like living "back in time".

[fastdraw1]

Is the rumor true that years ago it was illegal to sell fireplace matches in West Virginia? If so, does anyone here know why that was?

Thanks.

[white trash redneck]

I say let the world stereotype West Virginians and our whole state. It keeps the liberals out. I pray every day that WV never gets "discovered" and ruined.

Damn right. My wife and I just moved to Charleston and we've never run into a friendlier bunch of people. As one person here told me, "If you can't make friends in WV, you're a sociopath."

[Kevin Curry]

LOL!

[GodBlessRonaldReagan]

Typical HOO behavior. UVA has no class, there fans have no class, and pep band has no class. They are a wannabe Ivy league school, and the worst DIV 1 football team in the state. GO HOKIES

Couldn't agree more....GO HOKIES!!!!

[VadeRetro]

Yes, making fun of white rural people is still politically correct.

True. "Free Speech" would be the ability to make fun of anybody.

[Hacksaw]

Wise positioned himself as a "good ole downhome boy" and won over the elder statesman.

Wise was heavily backed by the trial lawyers. I live in Pittsburgh now, but I still keep up with the old stomping grounds.

The irony is that a Pub can get elected governor much more easily than US senator.

[Corin Stormhands]

"This type of performance merely perpetuates the unfounded stereotypes that we in West Virginia are fighting so hard to overcome," Wise said in a letter to University of Virginia President John T. Casteen.

1) As a Virginia Tech fan, it is difficult for me to side with UVA, except when it deals with "outsiders." Maybe it was a little tacky, but for heaven's sake football is all about tacky and about making fun of your opponents.

2) The only difference here is that there was too much truth in the portrayal.

[Tolerance Sucks Rocks]

I wonder if the stunt the band pulled is worth a "Hold muh beer" ping?