CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. -- The University of Virginia's Pep Band is in trouble -- again -- this time for depicting West Virginia as being mainly noted for its toxic gases.
University officials said Saturday the school will keep a closer eye on the follies of its often-irreverent band, which irked West Virginia officials with its football halftime show last weekend.
Starting next season, the Pep Band -- which has drawn reprimands for halftime skits poking fun at the opposing school -- must submit scripts to an administrative review board in advance.
West Virginia Treasurer James Manchin, irked by the halftime show during the nationally televised Virginia-West Virginia game, demanded a public apology from Virginia officials.
The band performed a skit tailored after the television game show 'Family Feud,' saying the state of West Virginia was best known for toxic gas. The skit referred to recent gas leaks at the Union Carbide plant in Institute, W.Va.
Todd Turner, Virginia's sports promotions director, reviews the band skits and described the band as 'avant garde to say the least. You've got to have a good sense of humor to appreciate their cleverness.'
Of the West Virginia game, Turner said, 'apparently, it did not work in this case.'
Todd A. Koerner, the band's student director, said that although the band welcomes a more balanced review from an administrative board, he expects it will have stricter standards than Turner's.
'If he was having a good day, the jokes would get in,' said Koerner. 'If he wasn't, they'd be cut.'
Although the band will have to tone down its routines next fall, Koerner said it plans to continue its antics in the remaining performances this season.
'If Manchin has done anything, he's given us a lot of material for the next show, the Pep Band extravaganza,' Koerner said.
