93-08-27:  Pep Band Breaks Ties With Athletic Department


     The U.Va. Pep Band and the Athletic Department have parted
company, ending a 19-year relationship. Approximately 50 members
of the student-run scramble band voted almost unanimously July
17 not to accept the athletic department's new requirements that
the band work with Music Department instructor Dwight Purvis and
forfeit their halftime microphone privileges.

     The Pep Band will remain a contracted independent student
organization and will seek new forums for expression, according
to band director Edward Kuo.

     Over the years, the band's unrestrained, satirical
performances at football games managed to both delight and
irritate audiences.  Rival teams, University administrators, some
spectators and even a few state legislators have voiced the
strongest objections to their irreverent humor.

     The band's daring performance at the 1991 Sugar Bowl in New
Orleans in which an Elvis Presley impersonator was "killed" and
carried off the Super Dome field evoked hisses from the Tennessee
Volunteers and gasps from many Cavalier fans. Embarrassed
legislator and former Cavalier football player, Del. Robert Tata,
R-Virginia Beach threatened to introduce a resolution calling on
the University to replace the Pep Band with a marching band.

     Though no major controversy marred the 1992 football season,
"a compilation of things" led athletic department officials to
insist on new ground rules for the Pep Band's operation, said
Associate Athletic Director Kim Record. "There were some minor
incidents last season. We decided we had to make some changes in
the entertainment format. Dwight Purvis has assembled a band to
play music from the stands. We are not going to have a marching
band -- no hats and plumes," Ms. Record said. "This is an
entertainment band that will play good music, support our team
and have a good time."

     Reaction to the Pep Band's break with the athletic
department has been divided, according to Ms. Record. "We have
received several calls and letters in support of the band and an
equal number approving of our actions. Many University students
and graduates enjoyed the Pep Band, but our job is to educate
athletes and provide the best entertainment at athletic events
that we can."

     Lisa Jones, athletic department promotions director, is
scheduling halftime entertainment for the fall football season.
"We'll continue to invite visiting team bands to play at
halftime," she said. "At the first home game, Navy's band will
play. We plan to have acts such as Old Guard silent drill teams
and frisbee dogs, and more student contests, such as punt
challenges. Also, presentations done pre-game can now be done at
halftime."