In the most recent issue of Sports Illustrated On Campus, the magazine rated Madison the No. 1 city for college sports. Despite the ranking, one of the University of Wisconsin?s hallmark cheers is disappearing.
In response to the UW Athletic Department?s decision to drop House of Pain?s ?Jump Around? from the student cheers, some student government members proposed a resolution condemning the act by UW administration and the UW athletic department. The full Associated Students of Madison will vote on the resolution at their weekly Thursday meeting.
School of Engineering representative Charlie Sieb and others sent Chancellor John Wiley an e-mail complaining about the withdrawal of ?Jump Around.?
Wiley?s response stated that the song?s absence was due to concerns about the stadium?s structural stability, although he had no part in the athletic department?s decision. Wiley compared the swaying of the stadium to that of an earthquake, and said he was not informed of the athletic department?s decision to suspend play of the song until after the game.
In the e-mail, Wiley apologized to students for neglecting to consult or tell students and fans before Saturday?s game, but said the decision to suspend ?Jump? should be made on structural reasons alone.
Wiley also said an engineering study was done some time ago that concluded the stadium was within safe limits, but there is no recent study on the new construction or the effect of the student section jumping on the new structures.
Wiley?s explanation conflicts with the athletic department?s response to the absence of the anthem. UW athletic department spokesman Steve Malchow said Camp Randall is strong enough to withstand the students? bouncing.
?We have a sound facility,? Malchow said. He said no construction was being done to the floorboards that may compromise Camp Randall?s strength.
Malchow also said complaints received from observers in the press box, luxury boxes and fans sitting on the west side of the stadium influenced the department?s decision. Malchow said e-mails have trickled in over the years complaining about the stadium?s rumbling during the game.
A game management meeting is scheduled Wednesday at 10:30 a.m., giving the Athletic Department an opportunity to revisit the issue.
*Editor?s Note
The Badger Herald reported that ASM approved a resolution authored by Sieb asking for the reinstatement of ?Jump Around.? However, ASM did not hold a meeting that heard new legislative business Monday.
Seven members of Associated Students of Madison have sponsored the proposal, including ASM council chairman Austin Evans, representative and vice-chair Sharon Lee, Letters and Science representatives Brian Jenks and Erin Johnson, shared governance chair Hope Wallace, Sieb and business representative Joe Shumow. More representatives could sponsor the piece of legislation.
UW student government has not yet ruled on the proposal, as was reported Tuesday in the Badger Herald due to miscommunication during an interview.