Miami vs. ASU Color Guard

[vegattk]

I hope this message I found from a band of distinction member finds its way to those in the athletic office. IF this happened, and I'm sure there were enough cameras to catch some of this mess, something needs to be said...

I'm certain Mark Richt would not put up with this...

"Today was a weird day. Appalachian played University of Miami in Boone this afternoon, and unfortunately it was a loss for the Mountaineers.
I want to start out by saying that I know that Color Guard isn't viewed highly of by the common individual, let alone most individuals. It's a thing that I enjoy doing, and I've grown a thick skin in regards to how it's viewed. I've learned not to care; however, I do care deeply about my fellow color guard section members, and will not tolerate being outwardly disrespected.
For the end of our marching band's pregame show today, the color guard was lined up in groups on the back sideline as well as 8 steps in front of the back sideline. Typically, the opposing football team will make an effort to run around us as we spin to our fight song, apologizing if they get in our way or make an effort to avoid us completely. Today, Miami's football team decided to blind side one of our members on the corner of the field. She was shoved by several very large, intentionally aggressive, football players. No apologies were made regarding this incident, and the member who was hit had severe pain and had to sit for most of the game. I turned around just as this was happening, and was immediately furious and upset. Leaving the field, I thought that this was the only incident that occurred. It turns out that several other members were groped, sworn at, taunted, and touched in ways that were definitely not asked for.
I will not tolerate events like this occurring. This is 2016, and I will not tolerate excessive cat calling, harassment, and violence towards others, especially without due cause. I will not sit back and allow this to happen because I am a woman or because "it's all in good fun". At its simplest form, it's assault, and I will not tolerate it.
I was told repeatedly today that Miami's team is notoriously scum, but that is no reason to sit back and let this happen. I can't even imagine how many other events similar to this one have occurred. I know the likelihood of this event gaining attention is very slim, because at the end of the day, we're "just the color guard". I want to call attention to the fact that this is unacceptable, but ultimately I'm unsure of the next steps to take. It's worth trying.
On a more positive note, I was on ESPN today because I decided to walk behind an interview and make a weird face.
Don't stand for something just because you think you don't have power over the situation, have a nice night."

[mtnjax]

From our seats, we could see Miami players running through the band, but didn't see anything happen. i wouldn't be surprised though

[ASUTodd]

I've never userstood why any home team allows the visiting team to run out like that, especially when your band is on the field. The other thing is this.....if the appropriate players can be identified then the victim of the groping could easily take out charges on the suspect. It's one thing to run into someone or knock into them, it's another to be groping someone.

[bcoach]

Not just them. After the game I was crossing the road to cut through the stadium lot. A guy (APP ) with a credential around his neck that looked liken a box pass assaulted one of our female students. He was holding back people so the cars could exit and she ignored him and crossed. He grabbed her around the neck and she broke loose. First he is not a traffic cop and second if she were my daughter he would be on his ass. I yelled at him and he took off down the road. This was not a kid it was a guy about 40-45.

[appst89]

I noticed the Miami players running through the band formation when they came out. Couldn't see anything else, but that was a little out of the ordinary by itself, I thought.

[ASU85Grad]

I believe you. You know what they say, you can't spell THUG, without the U.

[WataugaMan]

He grabbed her around the neck and she broke loose. First he is not a traffic cop and second if she were my daughter he would be on his ass.

Why would she have to be your daughter before you took action?

[daytonacane]

I believe you. You know what they say, you can't spell THUG, without the U.

ASU85Grad, I don't appreciate your reference to "thug". Would you enjoy being referred to as a "Little Appy State" fan? No one appointed you judge and jury and there has been no confirmation this occurred. Apparently no one on the sidelines or in the stands witnessed this or it would have been all over the internet forums by now. What did the person who allegedly wrote this out plan to do with it other than pass among the band members? the whole thing sounds fishy to me.

The original poster stated he/she found the note from a band member which is a strange statement itself. Was it lying on the ground, did the band member give to the poster ?? If this is legit, the information should be turned over to AppState administration and the athletic office to thoroughly investigate. If found to be true, Miami should be contacted and appropriate action taken as this type behavior should not be condoned in any way, shape or form. But, before judging, let's wait and see if this did indeed occur.

Entry and exits should never been blocked. Players run out onto the field "charged up" and in big pads. I cannot image our current players intentionally doing this, however, it could happen inadvertently with pads on. This reminds me of a game @ Notre Dame in the late 1980's who, at the time, had only one entry/exit for both the home, visitor team and band. Miami came off the field after warm up to go back to the locker room and the ND band was blocking the entry, so they backed up. The ND players were right behind them and thought Miami wanted to start trouble and a complete melee broke out. BTW, it was a ND player who threw the first punch.

I know you guys are touchy about being called "Appy State"....well, we are pretty touchy about being called "thug U". So, let's refrain from that in the future.

Best of luck and I hope AppState football team wins the rest of their games.

[vegattk]

The proper authorities have been notified by the student in question. I "found" this message as one of the 300 shares of a person's status on Facebook.

I agree that it's hard to see in the video posted above. I can't tell if anything happened or not. I certainly hope this student is telling the truth and not "exaggerating", but if the claims are true the right folks have now been notified.

[havefunkc]

Thanks vegattk... I hear the same. Let's wait for the facts to come out. This one is indeed blowing up on Facebook (not just the original post either) but we need to learn more before condemnation hits the fan (for all parties involved).

[AppinVA]

I just want the truth to be found out. Nobody should have to be on either end of this story. Hopefully, there is camera evidence that shows what happened beyond a shadow of a doubt.

[ASU85Grad]

Dear Daytonacane,
My, aren't we touchy!! I hope you did not think I looked at this one supposed incident and came up with Thug U. I am not that creative. Give me a Hugh box of crayons and all I will draw is a stick man. When I heard that U of Miami was coming to Boone, I was excited!! Face it, you are known as the Bad Boys of college football, camo and all. Other than Alabama, almost no one would bring the hype and media like the U. When I told one of my Clemson friends that Miami was coming to Boone, that is when he told me the saying, you cannot spell Thug without the U. I have sense googled it and found out that Miami is also known has Convict U. I am learning something new everyday. Sports Illustrated even ran an article several years ago about how Miami should shut down its football program. Never seen one like that about App.
Yes, some people get all upset at Appy State, but my skin is not that thin. We are who we are. We have only been in full FBS for 3 years, have come along way, but like Saturday showed, still a long ways to go. You can call us what you want to.
You come to our message board and try to chastise me, but have you looked at your own boards? I have. I did not post anything but there is a lot of hate for App and it players over there. Our players are talked about like trash by some of your posters. There was never that much hatred towards The University of Miami or its players on ours. You know, you posted here and read ours.
One last thing, I hope what happened is not true. If it is, it would be a tragedy.
Would I trade our three FCS championships and what we have accomplished so far in FBS for Miami's 5 National Championships, to have the whole college football world view us like Miami, not a chance.
Have a Great Day!

[westcoastcanes]

Tough to see too clearly from that distance, but can anyone spot the person getting shoved by several large football players?

[/\PP ST/\TE GRAD 09]

I didn't see this happen. I sit in section 111 and always watch the away team enter the field. I didn't have the best view, but would have definitely noticed someone getting knocked over. Until we have the facts, I'm not ready to point the finger or call someone a liar.

Nonetheless, if true and Richt finds out, I feel very confident the appropriate action will be taken.

[TechDoc]

Disclaimer...I am a friendly Miami alum/fan, long time NC resident, and have nothing but respect for App State. My high school sweetheart went to App State on a volleyball scholarship. We maintained a long-distance relationship through most of college, and I spent a lot of time on your beautiful campus with her.

I was at the game, right in front where the Miami players ran in, and there was absolutely no contact between any Miami player and any member of the Color Guard, as described in the account above. I have seen a few videos now posted online that do not show any sort of significant contact, much less a blindsided knock down or groping.

For the person above, who thinks that App State message board posters have been respectful and Miami message board posters have been worse...how much worse is it to propagate lies that are slanderous? Last time I checked, being an idiot with a loud mouth and a keyboard is not illegal, but libel and slander are.

Lastly, if you think you know all about "Thug U" and Miami's bad boy reputation, I suggest you watch the two ESPN 30 for 30 documentaries about "The U." The Sports Illustrated article you said was "a few years ago" was more than two decades ago! And just look at some of the things our neighbors in Chapel Hill have been up to, or at FSU, or across much of the SEC. The brashness and shenanigans that gave Miami the "thug" reputation are tame compared to the things other programs have done.

Back in the 80's and 90's it was cool to hate the U, because we won...a lot, and did it with an in-your-face attitude. Oh, by the way, winning those 5 National Championships felt great (and I think you are being as disingenuous as the poster who made the false statements about the Color Guard when you say you wouldn't trade 3 FCS championships for 5 FBS titles).

Maybe this false story, being trumped up as Miami appears poised to regain some semblance of relevance, is an indication that it's cool again to hate Miami.

[bcoach]

He grabbed her around the neck and she broke loose. First he is not a traffic cop and second if she were my daughter he would be on his ass.

Why would she have to be your daughter before you took action?

I did take action. As I said he ran down the road when I started yelling at him. Sad thing is I was the only one who had a word to say.

[Saint3333]

Whether they made contact or not is wasn't a classy move to run through the band upon entering. I noticed it from the west stands, 5-6 players run in front of the color guard versus staying on the turf behind the sidelines or the track.

[Appalachman]

I wonder what footage the Nelson Aerials crew has? They had nice overhead video on twitter right up to that point, but cuts out before UM entry and picks back up during the game. Not sure if it was edited continuous video. Truth should be available with that many people and videos/personal cameras at the game.

[NattyBumppo'sRevenge]

I was involved in another incident where the perpetrators were from Miami. The Miami female cheerleaders kept staring at my private area and undressing me with their eyes. I was like, "my eyes are up here", but that only made things worse. I've never felt like such a piece of meat. I feel so violated.

[AppState1]

removed