University of Wisconsin band suspended due to numerous infractions

Allegations of alcohol abuse and underage drinking, sexual harassment, drug use and hazing are unfortunately commonplace occurrences on American college campuses.  Typically, it’s the athletic teams or fraternities that step over the line and are met with severe sanctions by the administration. 

At the University of Wisconsin, however, there’s a strange twist to the story.  University officials announced Friday afternoon that the school marching band has been suspended “indefinitely” while allegations of “hazing, alcohol abuse and sexual misconduct” are investigated.  The decision was made by the university band director, Mike Leckrone, who said that it was the first time he ever had to meet out such punishment: "My feeling was I hit them between the eyes with a sledgehammer” was his comment on the matter when explaining the band’s absence from the U of W football team’s game against Ohio State.

More than likely, it’s a face and/or job saving ploy by Leckrone after some higher ups in university administration got wind of the situation.  No specifics were released regarding the allegations other than the generalized explanation that it”involved inappropriate alcohol use, hazing and sexualized behavior” among a few band members.  Leckrone’s claims of ignorance to the existence of such malfeasance are as unconvincing as Claude Rains’ indigence that gambling is going on at “Rick’s Place” in the classic film Casablanca (as Peter Lorre hands him his roulette winnings).  If any college administrator can tell you with a straight face that they’re unaware of alcohol abuse on campus they’re flat out lying.  Hazing and low grade sexual harassment “horseplay” is nearly as common.  Leckrone has been in his position since 1969, so his act is even less convincing.

In fact, this is only the latest example of boorish behavior by the U of W band.  In 2007, the band's assistant director Michael Lorenz resigned after he took heat for his treatment of a female colleague during a “rowdy band trip”.  The President of the University condemned the behavior which involved—surprise, surprise—“sexual harassment, hazing and alcohol abuse” as “boorish to patently dangerous and unlawful."   Meanwhile, Leckrone is spinning like a dreidel trying to save his own skin: “I don't think it would be appropriate for me just to ignore it” Meaning “I’ve been ignoring it for nearly 40 years but now it’s *my* neck on the line so I have to play along”.