Mich. school removes sculpture used for 'Wrecking Ball' parodies

ALLENDALE, Mich., Sept. 18 (UPI) -- Students at a Michigan school protested the decision to remove a campus sculpture students have been riding to parody a Miley Cyrus music video.

Grand Valley State University students gathered Tuesday night at the former site of the sculpture behind the Seymour and Esther Padnos Hall of Science and sang the lyrics to Miley Cyrus' song "Wrecking Ball," which had become tied to the sculpture -- a ball hanging from a chain -- when students starting riding it to parody the song's music video, the Grand Rapids Press reported Wednesday.

University officials said they removed the sculpture for safety reasons and it may be returned at a later time, possibly in a harder-to-reach location.

"We really do need to verify the structural integrity right now, and consider the safety ramifications and look whether there's a better way to install it," said Tim Thimmesch, associate vice president of facilities services.

The students said they did not see the need to remove the sculpture, which at least one student rode while nude.

"It's just college kids having fun," said Rya Northrop, a history student at the school. "It's funny. I think it's hilarious."

Cyrus' "Wrecking Ball" video features the pop star smashing concrete with a sledgehammer and riding nude atop a wrecking ball.