The University of Wisconsin marching band has been suspended indefinitely while allegations ofhazing, alcohol abuse and sexual misconduct are investigated.
The band won't play Saturday during a nationally televised football game between the No. 18Badgers and No. 14 Ohio State at Camp Randall Stadium.
The university made the announcement at a hastily called news conference Friday night, sayingthe behavior is consistent with conduct that put the band on probation in 2006.
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Mike Leckrone, band director since 1969, said he made the decision and it was the first time inhis tenure the entire band has ever been suspended and prevented from playing at a game.
Leckrone said he informed the 300 band members at 4:30 p.m. Friday.
"My feeling was I hit them between the eyes with a sledgehammer," he said.
No details were immediately released about the behavior, only that it involved inappropriatealcohol use, hazing and sexualized behavior. Leckrone said it involved only a small number of bandmembers, but it was significant enough to warrant the suspension.
He and Dean of Students Lori Berquam refused to discuss any details while the investigation byBerquam's office is ongoing.
The band will practice again starting Tuesday with the understanding that it will not performagain until the investigation is done, Leckrone said.
Penalties for students who violate the university's code of conduct range from a reprimand toexpulsion, Berquam said.
It's the latest in a series of high profile problems for the band.
In 2000 the university established a written code of conduct for the band.
In February 2007 the marching band's assistant director Michael Lorenz resigned after aninternal report criticized his treatment of a female colleague during a rowdy band trip to Michiganin 2006.
Reports of band members' hazing, alcohol use and inappropriate sexual behavior prompted theuniversity to put the band on probation after the trip.
Then-Chancellor John Wiley threatened band members with losing performance and travelprivileges.
Wiley, in an October 2006 letter to Leckrone, called band members' behavior "boorish to patentlydangerous and unlawful."
At that time, seminude band members were alleged to have danced suggestively and there werereports of women being forced to kiss
other women to be allowed to enter bathrooms on a bus.
The university said in a statement that the latest allegations were consistent with the 2006troublesome behavior.
The award-winning band has a storied tradition on campus and a special place in the hearts ofBadgers fans.
Leckrone said he believed the latest allegations breached the band's code of conduct andwarranted a swift and significant response.
"I don't think it would be appropriate for me just to ignore it," he said.