UI Band member speaks out about closing of CyHawk investigation

Hunter
9/20/19

A member of the UI marching band involved in an incident during the Iowa-Iowa State game in Ames last Saturday has lashed out at the administration after it was announced that investigation into the incident has been closed.

Student and band member Corey Knopp took to Facebook and detailed some of the incidents the band endured.

The post stated, “People were physically assaulted; we expect to get booed and cussed at. But never for violence to take place. Especially to students in THE BAND of the rival university. No ‘alleges,’ no ‘maybes.’ This happened. Put yourself in our shoes. Kids. Marching in formation back to our buses after a long day.”

“Getting shoved and having beer cans shaken and sprayed at our feet,” the post alleged. “Getting slapped because of the words on our uniform (IOWA). Getting pushed so hard that someone’s [not going to name this person] ribs are broken. That is completely unacceptable.”

Knopp adds that the band director, Dr. Bush, has been fighting for the students and doesn’t blame him. He said, “This is on whoever up the ladder doesn’t care about the students that go to this University.”

Another band member, Nathan Topping, told the Daily Iowan that he had a full beer bottle thrown at him and was pulled away from the band. Topping said later he was carrying a drumline stand and states that fans tried to take it away from him while others were grabbing at his arms.

Athletic Directors Gary Barta of Iowa and Jamie Pollard of ISU issued a joint statement Thursday saying that they believed it would be difficult to verify the allegations so their focus going forward would be to ensure that future events were safer.