Stanford Athletics says it ‘deeply regrets’ offense caused by band’s halftime show

Empty seats at Stanford Stadium are shown during the first half of an NCAA college football game between Stanford and Colorado in Stanford, Calif., Saturday, Nov. 14, 2020.

Empty seats at Stanford Stadium are proven throughout the first half of an NCAA faculty soccer recreation between Stanford and Colorado in Stanford, Calif., Saturday, Nov. 14, 2020.

Jeff Chiu, Related Press

The Stanford athletic division issued a press release to BYU’s scholar newspaper concerning a halftime present carried out throughout Saturday’s soccer recreation between the Cardinal and BYU Cougars at Stanford Stadium, saying it “didn't mirror Stanford College’s values of non secular freedom and variety, inclusion and belonging.”

In the course of the recreation, a Every day Universe author posted a photograph on Twitter exhibiting the stadium video board and wording that referenced the doctrine of everlasting marriage held by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the establishment that sponsors BYU.

In keeping with the Universe, the present “concerned a pair of ladies being married to one another, with the officiator utilizing phrases and phrases taken from sacred temple ceremonies inside The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.”

In a press release revealed by the Universe on Monday evening, a Stanford spokesperson was quoted as saying, “The Leland Stanford Junior College Marching Band (LSJUMB) has an extended historical past of lighthearted and satirical halftime performances. Sadly, among the language that was utilized in Saturday’s halftime present didn't mirror Stanford College’s values of non secular freedom and variety, inclusion and belonging.

“The LSJUMB deeply regrets that this efficiency brought on offense to spectators, and the halftime efficiency evaluation and approval course of is being adjusted to make sure that points like this don't happen once more.”

The final time the Cougars and Cardinal confronted one another at Stanford in 2004, the varsity’s athletic director on the time, Ted Leland, apologized after the LSJUMB carried out a skit throughout halftime that “poked enjoyable at polygamy,” the Deseret Information reported on the time.

BYU received Saturday’s recreation, 35-26.

Post a Comment

Previous Post Next Post