Students across campus are crying foul. For the first time since
1998, the fourth quarter of a Badger football game began without
the playing of House of Pain’s “Jump Around.”

Students have a right to be upset, as this is not just any old
tradition. Most students will refuse to leave a game before they
have jumped around, no matter the score, no matter the weather. It
is a tradition that has become nationally recognized, even
described as the song that defines a Wisconsin football game.

Students responded by jumping around without the music for a
short period of time, flipped off the press box while chanting
“Fuck the sound guy” and finally did the unthinkable: sat down
during the game.

This move alone should show the athletic department and
administration the extent of student-body anger over the decision.
Almost 85 percent of the student section sat down during a game
that became increasingly more intense. Akron scored a touchdown
with 11:12 left in the fourth quarter to cut the Badger lead to
34-31 in the midst of a critical junction of the game, when the
Badgers on the field most needed their “12th man.”

Officials in the athletic department stated the decision was not
based on whether the jumping activity would affect the structural
integrity of the new additions to the stadium. They assured us the
stadium is completely safe and that “the jumping” would not have a
direct effect on the new additions to the stadium.

Rather, the athletic department said it has received complaints
for years that jumping to “Jump Around” was “unsettling” to members
of the press box and upper decks. The department also explained the
decision to cut out the song was made late last week as a
cautionary matter. Officials believed it was in the fans’ best
interest to be careful in every aspect of the game.

If these two arguments don’t make sense to you, then you are not
alone. If safety is a concern, then why allow students inside the
stadium at all? Since safety is not a concern, why stop playing the
song? What is the real reason why we cannot jump around?

Was the decision made just to be “cautious” or was it made
because some of the fans and media at the game felt it was
‘unsettling’ to be in the stands during the mere minute and a half
the song is played?

We believe this decision is a reaction to complaints rather than
erring on the side of caution and that the construction excuse is
just that: an excuse.

Perhaps the athletic department should enact a rule that the
student section may not leave their feet during a touchdown
celebration or a turnover as the weak-stomached individuals in the
upper deck and press box might feel scared then, too.

The athletic department also shared with the Badger Herald that
the song will not be played again until the stadium reconstruction
is complete in 2005, unless the department decides to revisit the
decision.

This entire situation reeks of unfairness.

We call on students to stand up for their jumping rights and let
the administration know this tradition cannot and will not be taken
away from us. The athletic department needs to reconsider playing
the song. Write e-mails, make calls, create T-shirts and by all
means continue to jump around for the entire time between the third
and fourth quarters.

Experience shows us many of you are not typically motivated to
become involved in political protests, but we are willing to bet
this is one protest you might want to get behind.

Hell, maybe even ASM will take a break from the picket lines at
Tyson Foods and write a resolution about an issue for which the
student body shows real concern.

We urge students: do not let this tradition die without a fight.
Students were not consulted about this decision and the
administration better believe that not telling us only made things
worse. This is going to be a fight students will not give up.

Upset about this decision? Contact Athletic Director Pat
Richter [email protected]) and Associate Athletic
Director Steve Malchow ([email protected]) and let them
know what you think.

Editors note: On Wednesday, at 10:30am in the Mendota Gridiron
Room at Camp Randall (enter through Gate 15) the Athletic
Department will have its weekly game management meeting. This is an
open meeting that students can attend.