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STANFORD, Calif. — Stanford’s infamous marching band has once again found itself in a familiar place: under university sanctions.
Just under a year removed from a controversial performance at the Rose Bowl, the band has been suspended for the remainder of the school year for violations that the school’s Organization Conduct Board called “incredibly troubling.”
The effects of the suspension are just starting to be felt on the Farm after the first major sporting event since the decision was handed down December 9th.
Without the band, Stanford’s men’s basketball team had to settle for a DJ in their return from time off for final exams, a win against Cal State East Bay. Don’t count senior center Grant Verhoeven in the DJ’s fan club.
“Yeah, they definitely bring a certain atmosphere,” the Hanford, Calif. native said when he was asked if he missed the band. “We didn't have it tonight.”
After a long history of transgressions, the band lost its status as an official on-campus organization for violating “the campus alcohol policy” and “bans on drinking and traveling.” The Mercury News reports that they took a trip to Lake Tahoe on band funds, which violated the terms of consequences suffered for a previous infraction.
The effects of the ban were not lost on newly minted Stanford head coach Jerod Haase. However, Haase also appreciated what the new DJ brought to the table.
“I love the band and I love the energy. I thought the DJ did a nice job today as well,” Haase said Friday. “Candidly, I’m probably not totally well-versed because I’ve been so focused on recruiting and traveling. But having said that, that’s going to work itself out on a higher level. I always love the band and it does bring energy, but I do understand the situation. I thought the DJ did a nice job bringing some energy, and hopefully moving forward, it’ll get even better.”
The change in music at Maples Pavilion didn’t seem to effect Verhoeven and the Cardinal, downing the Division II Pioneers 79-53 behind junior forward Reid Travis’ 24 points, with Verhoeven adding seven.