Citadel Vs. Princeton Half time show

The Princeton Band, known for its antics on the field, earned the wrath and disdain of Citadel cadets Saturday by its misbehavior off the field.

As one of the infamous "scramble bands" at various brainy schools across the country, the Princeton Band came to town for its first visit when the Tiger football team played The Citadel at Johnson Hagood Stadium.

These bands, made up of students and alumni, are often funny and clever with their irreverent attitude toward the traditions of college football.

A few hours before Saturday's game, 40 or more band members strolled down Hagood Avenue in front of the stadium. As the motley crew passed by, many tailgating Citadel and Princeton fans were amused by their coonskin caps and toilet-seat drums.

That, however, is where they should have stopped.

Instead, they meandered a few more blocks onto The Citadel campus where the band of druthers ran head-on into the band of brothers.

Bad blood

Eyewitness reports say the clownish band members, mocking the military school, paraded all too close to the campus's central parade field where cadets were taking part in Field Day exercises.

When they turned and started sashaying down the "Avenue of Remembrance" in front of the school's library, a group of highly irritated cadets surged toward them in a very menacing manner.

"It was awful," one cadet said of the incident. "They're lucky they didn't get killed."

Fortunately, cooler heads prevailed. But, the bad blood spilled over into the afternoon's game. When the Princeton Band came out to perform at halftime, the entire Corps of Cadets booed them roundly, loudly and continuously while they attempted to perform.

Granted, such a show of contempt deserved to be booed even by an objective audience. Their show, which included band members humping each other on the field, crossed several lines of respect and decency.

Give 'em a medal

In case you're wondering, Citadel officials knew of the band's raucous reputation and approved their script before the game. Groups like this, however, are all about disrespecting authority.

Not that it mattered. Fans at the game could not hear anything the band said or played as the chorus of boos from the cadets completely drowned them out.

Later, with only a few minutes left in the game, a squad of cadets encircled the Princeton Band in the stands. This culture clash lasted a few minutes before the cops broke it up.

Meanwhile, the Bulldogs taught the Tigers a thing or two about football, winning the game 37-24.

When asked about the incidents, Citadel spokesman Jeff Perez said of the cadets' halftime behavior, "We hold them to a higher standard. We will speak to them about the booing."

Heck, instead of a tongue lashing, the entire Corps of Cadets should be given a medal for standing up for their school.

The Princeton Band, meanwhile, should be ashamed. All those pseudo-intellectuals and not a single brain among them.

Category:

Sports

Tags:

• Citadel
• Princeton
• Football
• Halftime
• show

[SouthCarolina191861]

thanks galoon for saying that all the citadel men and men and women from other universities and backgrounds lives that they gave up for their country don't matter

[armstrongw5]

you can say what you like, but Princeton is so gaaaay

[galoon]

You can say what you like, but Princeton University has graduated a man who went on to win the Congressional Medal of Honor in combat, something the Citadel (a military academy) has yet to do after almost 170 years. But what else would one expect from a military academy which was founded to put down slave revolts?

[jennyjenn2583]

Geez people, its a show at a football game...who cares?!

[DIYlobotomy89]

oh and just one more thing--learning to spell is helpful if you want people to take your written opinion seriously. "ivey"? "Princton"? oh and seriously, still calling people "yankees"? that's really just sad. for supporters of the military and patriots, shouldn't we just all be "americans"? or would that make too much sense?

[DIYlobotomy89]

this really doesn't paint the band in as bad a light as it paints the citadel crowd--my god, calm down! who are the ones screaming and booing? no one said you had to agree with everything that was presented. i don't even go to princeton,and i am a thousand times more appalled by the citadel's screaming "faggot." as far as spoiled, i am from a small town, a poor family, and worked my whole life to get to the ivy. maybe those who are so upset about "spoiled ivy leaguers" should have worked harder.

[hellocello3200]

All the Ivy League "scatter" or "scramble" bands poke fun at the other school at games.... yet everyone enjoys themselves and no one feels the need to spit or attack anyone.

All this proves is that the people at the Citadel need to get a sense of humor...

and seriously...they did what? Cadenced through campus. wow. I'm pretty sure most visiting bands do that before games. Perhaps not with those ridiculous hats...

[dst104]

Way to teach those yankees some manners, boys! Go Dogs!!!

[jkelly618]

Wow!!! what a halftime show, more like a bad dog a pony show. As princeton students and alumni, you make yourselves look terrible and as for respect you make your school look like a non- IVY league school. You should be ashamed

[catie1421]

Wow!! I thought you Princeton flok were smart. I guess you didn't realize marching onto the campus and stomping on a memorial for graduates who died was in poor taste. Oh well, maybe common sense 101 is next semester!! Idiots, be glad you made it home!!