In light of recent media scrutiny over the activities and so-called culture of the Ohio State University Marching Band, I and other alumni have felt compelled to share our own stories to counter the slander, libel, defamation of character and outright lies about the students, the atmosphere of the band, the director himself, Jon Woods.
On July 24, 2014, Jon Waters was fired without explanation from the university following a 60-day one-sided investigation into the culture of the OSUMB. http://www.dispatch.com/content/downloads/2014/07/Investigation-Report.pdf
The public report releases the nicknames of several female band members who, for the first time, now feel degraded and embarrassed because their nicknames that were given in comradeship after getting to know them are now being scrutinized by those who have no awareness of the sense of humor of small groups of tightly-knit friends in a high-pressure environment. Furthermore, much of the media and individuals with no affiliation to the university or the band are speaking about the women in band as if they are vulnerable delicate flowers who need constant oversight and that the men are all potential predators. I can attest that we were and are strong independent women and the men are our brothers.
Please let the words of these women rest on your mind. Let their experiences speak to you.
"Our honor defend, we will fight to the end..."
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