Iowa Senate bill targets Stanford band controversy

Iowa's three state universities would be prohibited from cooperating with Stanford University until Stanford officials publicly apologize to Iowans for "unsporting behavior" by the school's marching band during the Jan. 1 Rose Bowl football game under a bill introduced Wednesday in the Iowa Senate.

Stanford's football team defeated the University of Iowa 45-16 in the game. In addition, the Stanford band, which has a history of irreverent performances, poked fun during the halftime show with a dancing cow, a frowning farmer formation and other tongue-in-cheek gestures that upset some Iowans. ESPN, which televised the game, cut away from the band's performance.

State Sen. Mark Chelgren, R-Ottumwa, told The Des Moines Register at the Iowa Capitol on Wednesday that he introduced Senate File 2081 because he believes Stanford officials have condoned improper behavior by the marching band.

"I think it's unfortunate because here in Iowa we try to teach sportsmanship," Chelgren said. "We try to teach courtesy, and when someone behaves in a way that is contrary to that, we need to point it out."

Stanford University spokesman Brad Hayward issued a statement in response to Chelgren's proposal: "The Band's halftime show has provoked a variety of reactions. The performance was intended to be irreverent fun, given Iowa's connection to farming and Stanford's historical nickname "The Farm." The script posted on the Band's Facebook page provides fuller context. We understand that some viewers took offense at the performance, which we regret and which will be the subject of further discussion with the Band's leadership"

Time to cover marching bands more like football teams

The Iowa legislation would prohibit "certain future collaboration and cooperation" between Stanford and the University of Iowa, Iowa State University and the University of Northern Iowa. However, it would permit sporting events between Stanford and the Iowa universities. In addition, collaborations and contracts already in effect would be exempt from the ban.

The bill noted that some Stanford band members have had a history of bad behavior, and it says Stanford University officials displayed a lack of judgment in authorizing the marching band's performance during the Rose Bowl halftime.

Sen. Robert Dvorsky, D-Coralville, chairman of the Iowa Senate Appropriations Committee, said the bill "sends a message" to Stanford about the actions of its marching band, but he doesn't believe Chelgren's proposal will be approved by the Senate.

"I think what they did was offensive, but I don’t think you could blame the institution of Stanford University for it," Dvorsky said. "I understand that some people were offended. Here is the problem: It is not an official Stanford marching band. They are just a student organization. It is not like the Hawkeye Marching Band and people should be aware of that. It is just some sort of loosely organized student organization."

Sen. Herman Quirmbach, D-Ames, chairman of the Iowa Senate Education Committee, also indicated he has little interest in considering the proposal by Chelgren, who is seeking the Republican nomination to run for Congress in a district that includes the University of Iowa.

"Stanford University is one of the premier research universities in the world and for us to cut off contact with Stanford over something that happened on a football field I think sinks to a level that would be unworthy of our fine research institutions," said Quirmbach, who is an economics professor at Iowa State University.