Update Sept. 6, 1:24 a.m.: K-State Marching Band Director Frank Tracz released a statement on Facebook regarding the performance.
“The chart below represents the drill from tonight’s show,” Tracz wrote. “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.”
During the halftime show at K-State Football’s season opener against South Dakota, the marching band depicted a scene between the Starship Enterprise from Star Trek and a giant Kansas Jayhawk.
What followed was a barrage of comments on social media that the scene actually looked like the Jayhawk was performing fellatio. The Collegian attempted to contact several members of the marching band.
A member of the band, who wished to remain anonymous due to instructions given by band officials, shared a photo to Facebook and said the band’s only intention was to show a fight between the starship and the Jayhawk.
“It is very clearly a starship enterprise (sic),” the band member wrote on Facebook. “People are taking this way out of proportion.”
@jimmykimmel This is the #KState band as Starship Enterprise “encountering a horrible space creature” – the Jayhawk https://t.co/xv1c7VPNqs
— Patrick Ptomey (@patrickptomey) September 6, 2015
I guess the band director or the band didn't sign the "good sportsmanship" contract #KStateBand
— Joann Weger (@jmweger) September 6, 2015
Every year, KState comes out with a new found incredible way of saying, "we're childish" http://t.co/3UHiZ28y63
— ThoughtsFromBals (@RynoBals) September 6, 2015
@amyschumer thought u would like this: KState band's halftime show sure looks like a Jayhawk performing fellatio http://t.co/P1jbHV5SyC
— Josh Case (@joshcase) September 6, 2015
Although the performance drew the ire of some, others thought it was all in fun and joked about it.
Haha this band thing is making my night about kstate??
— Jacob.Abel (@thejacobabel) September 6, 2015
If the kstate marching band offends you more than losing to South Dakota St, you might be a KU fan…
— Brandon Hoefler (@Brandon1915) September 6, 2015
I bet the KState band has 1000s more applications next year. #thatonetimeatbandcamp
— DJ Dan Michaels (@DJDanMichaels) September 6, 2015
My #kstate love runneth over. Nicely done marching band. #dickinthebeak
— Stephanie (@stephanierohr5) September 6, 2015
Can u imagine being in the #KState band & calling ur parents abt tonight's performance, "hi mom! Look for me. I'm the left ball."
— Aimee Patton (@AimeePatton11) September 6, 2015
