By Diane Alter

Sticks and stones may break bones, but words can get you banned.

So the Columbia Marching Band found out. After poking fun at the football team, which has a miserable record this season, the band was barred from the Saturday's game, the final game of the season.

It appears the band crossed the line last week after the Lions racked up a 0-9 record after last week's loss to Cornell.

The band took to the field and had a bit of fun with Columbia's fight song.

"We always lose, lose, lose; by a lot and sometimes by a little," the band sang.

The athletic department failed to see the humor, took offense and decided to bar the band from Columbia's final game of the season Saturday against the Browns.

In a statement, Athletic Director M. Dianne Murphy said, "Our football players, coaches, alumni and parents are extremely hurt, disappointed and angry at the band's behavior at Cornell. Letting it perform Saturday would undermine the University's institutional support for our football team."

In a late reversal Friday, the band was given permission to be at the season finale Saturday. No doubt they will stick to the original lyrics when they perform Columbia's song "Roar, Lion Roar."

 

 

Columbia University Marching Band Banned From Final Game of Season, Given Reprieve