Kansas State apologizes for phallic marching band formation

MANHATTAN, Kan., Sept. 8 (UPI) -- Kansas State University apologized for a marching band routine that some complained looked like male genitalia assaulting the University of Kansas mascot.

University officials said the formation during halftime of Saturday's season opener against South Dakota was supposed to depict the Starship Enterprise from Star Trek engaged in battle with the University of Kansas Jayhawk, but some social media users complained the Enterprise shape looked more like a set of male genitals.

"We apologize for anyone offended by our halftime performance depicting the starship enterprise and the Jayhawk mascot," a message on the marching band's official Twitter account reads.

Kansas State president Kirk Shultz tweeted he was "sorry if anyone was offended by the performance at half-time."

Frank Tracz, the school's marching band director, posted a chart online showing how the formation was supposed to look.

"There was absolutely no intent to display anything other than the Enterprise and the Jayhawk in battle. If I am guilty of anything it would be the inability to teach the drill in a manner that these young people could have succeeded. I do apologize for the misinterpretation and I assure you that I meant absolutely no disrespect or malice toward the University of Kansas," Tracz wrote on Facebook.