“Free Dr. Frank Tracz”

“The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.”
-Edmund Burke

And these days in sports, the only thing necessary for nonsense to flourish, is for sensible men to say nothing.

Kansas State University, President Kirk Shultz and their Athletic Director John Currie are the worst. Because a few people on twitter decided a spaceship looked like a – GASP! – penis, they decided to over-react, punish their band director and pay a meaningless $5,000 fine to the Big 12 Conference.

Here’s what stupid looks like.

Big 12 commissioner Bob Bowlsby publicly reprimanded band director Frank Tracz for the inappropriate use of a member institution logo.

“The actions of the marching band depicting the disintegration of a member institution’s mascot was inconsistent with the principles and expectations of the Big 12 Sportsmanship and Ethical Conduct Policy,” Bowlsby said Tuesday in a statement. “I appreciate the prompt actions of K-State President Kirk Schulz and Athletics Director John Currie in addressing this matter and accept the University’s self-imposed penalties.”

Here’s why lying looks like.

“Our response has nothing to do with any perverted social media,” Currie said Tuesday. “Our response is solely the fact we portrayed the disintegration of the Jayhawks by the Starship Enterprise.”

And here’s why A-list comedians don’t even bother going to college campuses anymore.

“I stopped playing colleges, and the reason is because they’re way too conservative,” Chris Rock said. “Not in their political views — not like they’re voting Republican — but in their social views and their willingness not to offend anybody. Kids raised on a culture of ‘We’re not going to keep score in the game because we don’t want anybody to lose.’ Or just ignoring race to a fault. You can’t say ‘the black kid over there.’ No, it’s ‘the guy with the red shoes.’ You can’t even be offensive on your way to being inoffensive.”

Next thing you know, they are asking you to replace “he” and “she” with “Ze” and “Zers”.

No really. This is happening.

Many people are still mystified at why Donald Trump is surging in the polls? It’s not complicated. He’s a guy willing to say “BULLSHIT” to pure nonsense.

It may not make him qualified for the presidency, but the sensible, silent majority is sending a clear and unmistakable message: we’re sick of this shit. Enough already.

UPDATE: So too, are K-State alums. Here’s an email from a pissed off Wildcat.

Tonight, I got this fucking ridiculous email from our AD John Currie. He claims the problem was “unsportsmanlike conduct pertaining to the use and destruction of the Jayhawk mascot during the halftime show.”

Then there was this line: “The use of a rival mascot in such a manner is another example and good reminder that we have to continue to evolve and determine the fine line between having innocent fun and being disrespectful.” WTF?? Are you kidding me? Schools, football teams, and fans are not allowed to make fun of a rival mascot? You’re right, the world has gone insane. Other Big 12 schools have rapists and other criminals on their rosters but K-State is in trouble for the “use and destruction of the Jayhawk mascot.” Unbelievable! 

See below for info on Dr. Frank Tracz, if you want it. Social Media campaigns have started locally to support Dr. Tracz and even raise money for the fine. I heard that President Schulz plans to pay the fine, so it won’t come from band budget. Idiots!

Dr. Frank Tracz (It is pronounced Trace)
Professor of music
Director of bands

Recognized as one of the best band directors and music educators in the nation, Frank Tracz administers and guides all aspects of the university band program, which includes the Wind Ensemble, Concert Band, University Band, Athletic Pep Bands and the Marching Band. These bands have performed or toured nationally and internationally, including the Pride of Wildcat Land Marching Band at football bowl games like the Fiesta, Cotton and Holiday; and the Wind Ensemble at the national conference of the MENC, College Band Directors National Association’s Southwest Regional Conference and the Kansas Music Educators Association Conference.

Tracz, who joined the university in 1993, also coordinates the undergraduate and graduate conducting programs, teaches classes in music education, and researched and developed the university’s master of music education program.

As director of the university’s Marching Band, Tracz has increased its membership to more than 300 and organizes annually several camps and clinics for young musicians and high school bands in the region, including Band Day and the annual Central States Marching Festival.