As a proud alumna of Princeton and the Princeton University Band, and an enthusiastic football fan, I was saddened to hear recently about the shocking intimidation and disrespect that the Princeton football team, its fans, and particularly its band encountered at the game at The Citadel this fall. As is apparent from videos online and interviews with Princeton students and alumni, Citadel cadets harassed Princeton fans and the P.U. Band en masse, hurled racial and sexual obscenities at them, and even spit on them.

The P.U. Band traveled 12 hours by bus with alumni aid to support the team and our school at this game, and despite clearing every element of their performance with The Citadel administration in advance, they had to be guarded by both Citadel officers and Charleston police while marching on a pre-approved route to the game, playing in the stands, and even at halftime, when cadets threatened to storm the field.

In my four years with the P.U. Band I traveled to every Ivy League and Patriot League school and never experienced homophobic insults, mob violence, or the loud booing of an entire halftime show, let alone attacks in the stands by mobs of opposing fans. The P.U. Band and the football team represent a fundamental element of Princeton’s sporting tradition and our face outside of Princeton, and we must demand that they be respected by our opponents and received as we receive opposing teams, fans, and bands at Princeton.
 

Amelia R. Brown ’99
Floriana, Malta