We really appreciate our crowd. And nobody appreciates it more than me, and the louder the better. I wear headsets and my headsets really cut out a lot of that so a lot of things that go on in the stands I’m really not aware of. I’m kind of distracted from that but I have heard rumblings [about the song not being played]. We want our fans, and in particular our students, into the game. I will tell you that, because we appreciate them. — Barry Alvarez

While certainly a politically correct response, it seems as though Barry is on our side with this one. “The Don” himself has publicly acknowledged what all football regulars know: the team needs its fans, and the fans need to be pumped up to do their “job.”

Athletic officials did not appropriately gauge student (as well as alumni) passions on this issue, as the bevy of letters we have received shows. Tradition is the reason we are one of the nation’s most noted college football venue and most imposing stadium for visiting teams. And, as athletic department officials should be most keenly aware, tradition is what keeps alumni dollars flowing into the coffers.

But perhaps more importantly, athletic-department officials should take what is printed below as serious evidence of student sentiment on the matter: massive tuition hikes and class cuts could not fire them up quite like this.

As an aside, we’re glad at least one ASM student council member was courageous enough to stand up for student interests—a rare occasion indeed. Rep. Charlie Sieb is set to offer a resolution condemning the termination of the song, but more action is certainly required.

We strongly urge all students to attend the athletic department’s weekly game-management meeting, scheduled for 10:30 a.m. this Wednesday in the Mendota Gridiron Room of Camp Randall Stadium (enter through gate 15). This is where the decision was initially made, and this is where, we hope, it will be reversed. Show up en masse and voice your disapproval.

And this weekend, jump. Jump a lot. Jump after every third down. Scream, yell and act, well, childish until we get our way.

Oh, and by the way, don’t think we didn’t notice the section race did not occur. Was that “dangerous,” or did the press box find that annoying too?

Upset about this decision? Can’t go to the meeting Wednesday? Contact Chancellor John Wiley ([email protected]), Athletic Director Pat Richter ([email protected]) and Associate Athletic Director Steve Malchow ([email protected]) and let them know what you think.