From harmless pranks to unprintable ones, hazing has always had a place in the realm of college athletics. Usually, it’s the big-time football, basketball, and cheerleading squads getting busted for their treatment of freshmen, but this time it was the members of the University of Wisconsin marching band.
    
The renowned Badgers’ marching band was placed on probation by UW’s chancellor John Wiley after a band member came forward about being pressured into shaving his head.  This report brought forth more accusations and allegations regarding hazing within the band. 

What kind of behavior, you ask?  Well, reports from those close to the situation claim that there was inappropriate acts going on inside the band’s buses during a recent road trip, such as females being forced to kiss other female band members before entering the bus’ bathroom and other musicians’ semi-nude, suggestive dancing that made bandmates feel uncomfortable and unsafe. 

This isn’t the first time that the band has been in hot water, either.  In 2007, the band’s assistant director resigned his position after reports surfaced that criticized his conduct with a female colleague during a band trip to Michigan in 2006.  The university said in a statement that the latest allegations were consistent with the 2006 troublesome behavior. 

“From reports we have received, it has become increasingly clear that certain types of sexualized and hazing behavior are an ingrained part of the band’s culture,” Chancellor Wiley said in a statement posted on the university’s website. “We will not provide an ongoing venue for this inappropriate and demeaning behavior. There is no reason to pretend that this is simply high-spirited fun.”

What do you think—harmless hijinks or horrendous hazing? Post a comment and let us know!