Iowa Senator wants apology for Stanford band’s performance— and backs it up with proposed legislation

DES MOINES — Future 'collaborations and cooperation' with Stanford University would be prohibited until its president apologizes for the university marching band's behavior during the Rose Bowl parade and football game, under a proposal introduced Wednesday in the Iowa Senate.

Senate File 2081 offered by Sen. Mark Chelgren, R-Ottumwa, would require a public apology for derogatory remarks about University of Iowa Hawkeye fans and Iowans in general.

The band performed a halftime show that featured the jingle from FarmersOnly.com, a dating website for rural singles, and what was described as a re-enactment of cow-tipping.

Stanford has expressed regret if Iowans took offense, but stood by the performance as 'irreverent fun, given Iowa's connection to farming and Stanford's historical nickname, 'The Farm.' '

Chelgren would not end any existing collaboration with Stanford, but ban any new ventures until an apology is received.

'As a parent who teaches my children to cheer as loud as you can for your team, but not boo the other team — because they're someone's kids, I felt I had to do something,' Chelgren said.

Chelgren, a California native, said his daughter attends the University of Iowa and he is a Hawkeye fan by marriage.

'I guess there are areas of the country that apparently don't share our Iowa values, and I think we need to stand up for those virtues and values, and this is one way to do that,' Chelgren told Radio Iowa. 'I would like to see Stanford have the courage to stand up and say: 'This was wrong,' and to make a public apology.'

Sen. Bob Dvorsky, D-Coralville, who represents the University of Iowa, was watching the Rose Bowl game, which Stanford won 45-16. He found the band's actions offensive.

'But I don't think you can blame the institution of Stanford for that' because the band is not a university-sanctioned organization like the Hawkeye Marching Band, Dvorsky said.

He doubts Chelgren's bill will win passage, but he's not suggesting his colleague withdraw it.

'It sends a message,' Dvorsky said. 'We didn't like that.'