There's been a facebook post being shared among the band members this morning. I'll share the whole post below, but among other things, it explains that KU filed a complaint of unsportsmanlike conduct with the Big XII conference, and that the school administration is trying to decide on how to best "handle" the situation to avoid the possibility of more sanctions. Another way of saying this is that our administration is seriously considering removing him from his position to appease KU and their fans. All over what was very clearly and obviously a mistake - a half dozen marchers who were slightly out of position.
For the record - displaying rivals mascots or players during a halftime show is not an uncommon occurrence in collegiate marching band, and it's not considered inappropriate or distasteful either. See here for an example of the Ohio State band doing a show where they blow up a Michigan ship and form a T-Rex that eats a Michigan player.
Schulz and Currie meet with Dr Tracz this afternoon.
The administration really does need to hear from us, and they need to hear from us before this meeting, in a way that is respectful but direct. We cannot let their desire to address a complaint overshadow the need to do the right thing. Frank Tracz is a great band director - the band has consistently improved under his leadership. I was in the band when I was at K-State and I can tell you from firsthand experience that he's had an enormous impact on his students as a leader and mentor as well. A few marchers being slightly off is no reason for the man to lose his job when he's been otherwise great at it.
Here's the post making the rounds:
From Geralyn Tracz:
Please share the statement below with as many people as you can:
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
For the record - displaying rivals mascots or players during a halftime show is not an uncommon occurrence in collegiate marching band, and it's not considered inappropriate or distasteful either. See here for an example of the Ohio State band doing a show where they blow up a Michigan ship and form a T-Rex that eats a Michigan player.
Schulz and Currie meet with Dr Tracz this afternoon.
The administration really does need to hear from us, and they need to hear from us before this meeting, in a way that is respectful but direct. We cannot let their desire to address a complaint overshadow the need to do the right thing. Frank Tracz is a great band director - the band has consistently improved under his leadership. I was in the band when I was at K-State and I can tell you from firsthand experience that he's had an enormous impact on his students as a leader and mentor as well. A few marchers being slightly off is no reason for the man to lose his job when he's been otherwise great at it.
Here's the post making the rounds:
From Geralyn Tracz:
Please share the statement below with as many people as you can:
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
