ECU: Marching Pirates protests will not be tolerated moving forward

 

GREENVILLE, N.C. (WNCT) – There’s new reaction to the actions of 19 members of the East Carolina University Marching Pirates on Saturday.

 

They took a knee during the playing of the national anthem prior to the school’s football game against the University of Central Florida on October 1; some played their instruments while on a knee, while others didn’t play at all.

 

At halftime when the band took the field they found themselves met with boos.

 

ECU Chancellor Cecil Staton later issued a statement that said the school acknowledges disappointment felt by fans. However, he urged them to act with respect for each other’s views.

 

On Monday, in an e-mail provided by the university, Dr. William Staub, director of Athletic Bands; Chris Ulffers, director of the School of Music; and Dr. Chris Buddo, dean of the College of Fine Arts and Communication, made the following statement:

 

“

We regret the actions taken by 19 members of the East Carolina University Marching Pirates on game day October 1st felt hurtful to many in our Pirate family and disrespectful to our country. We understand and respect this is an issue where emotions are strong.

 

The Marching Pirates continue to be fully supportive of all the values the East Carolina University community holds dear.

 

We have met with the band and the members have collectively reaffirmed their commitment to the unique privilege and responsibility that comes with wearing the uniform of the Marching Pirates.

 

College is about learning, and it is our expectation that the members of the Marching Pirates will learn from this experience and fulfill their responsibilities. While we affirm the right of all our students to express their opinions, protests of this nature by the Marching Pirates will not be tolerated moving forward.

 

It is our hope that together we can move past these events and that the Marching Pirates will be part of the healing process, working as one Pirate Nation.

 

The movement began when San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick refused to stand for the anthem before preseason games, citing racial injustice and police brutality.

I get it, it could be perceived as a bad look for the University. But if you kick somebody out of band or off a team for that, you're going down an incredibly slippery slope, IMO.

I get it, it could be perceived as a bad look for the University. But if you kick somebody out of band or off a team for that, you're going down an incredibly slippery slope, IMO.

 

The difference I see here is that they were expected to play the national anthem. (And according to the OP, some didn't.)

 

What do you think would happen if the NFL paid a singer, like Lady Gaga last year, to sing the national anthem at the Super Bowl, and they came out and took a knee and didn't sing? Would they still expect to get paid?

I get it, it could be perceived as a bad look for the University. But if you kick somebody out of band or off a team for that, you're going down an incredibly slippery slope, IMO.

 

I get what you're saying but these folks are on scholarship in some cases for playing an instrument/performing with the band. They refused to do that.

I get what you're saying but these folks are on scholarship in some cases for playing an instrument/performing with the band. They refused to do that.

 

That's all well and good. Band is a class, so that would equate to not turning in an assignment.

That's all well and good. Band is a class, so that would equate to not turning in an assignment.

 

So it's no treated as an extra curricular activity?

So it's no treated as an extra curricular activity?

 

My understanding is that its required as part of the music education program at most schools.

So it's no treated as an extra curricular activity?

 

I can only speak for how it was when I was in band at UofL. It was a course worth 1 credit hour. Games and other appearances were "assignments." We also got scholarships, worth up to $1,400 depending on how long you'd been in the band.

That's all well and good. Band is a class, so that would equate to not turning in an assignment.

 

To some extent I agree, but I also so this as an employer employee thing as well, and as such if the school dismissed them (for not fulfilling the expectations of their scholarship) I would be ok with it.

My understanding is that its required as part of the music education program at most schools.

 

This is also true. Most music school students at UofL are required to march for two years for their degree.

I think band students are on scholarship. They can either do what they're told or lose their free ride to college. Good for ECU.

I think band students are on scholarship. They can either do what they're told or lose their free ride to college. Good for ECU.

 

Very few band students are on full rides to school. I know the majority of the bands we came across didn't get any money at all. Those who did were partial scholarships, like ours, which covered a fraction of one semester of tuition.

Very few band students are on full rides to school. I know the majority of the bands we came across didn't get any money at all. Those who did were partial scholarships, like ours, which covered a fraction of one semester of tuition.

 

Even a partial scholarship is valuable. Either way, they are in a college program and can't go rogue or the program can send them packing.

Even a partial scholarship is valuable. Either way, they are in a college program and can't go rogue or the program can send them packing.

 

That's fine, if they put that in their handbooks up front. I'm sure next year they will have that in there.

That's fine, if they put that in their handbooks up front. I'm sure next year they will have that in there.

 

I don't think it even needs to be in their handbook. They are saying...from this point forward, don't do it again. And they better not or they're out of the band.