The University of Iowa will investigate allegations of verbal abuse and sexual harassment by members of the group



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The University of Iowa has reopened an investigation into allegations of verbal abuse and physical assault on members of the school's band during last week's match against rival Iowa State University.

Hawkeye Marching Band members allege that they were subjected to racial slurs and other forms of verbal abuse and sexual harassment before, during and after the match. Two band members told the Cedar Rapids Gazette that a third woman, a woman, had been hospitalized with fractured ribs.

Members of the Hawkeye fanfare play before a match between Iowa and Rutgers earlier in the season. (Photo by Keith Gillett / Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Members of the Hawkeye fanfare play before a match between Iowa and Rutgers earlier in the season. (Photo by Keith Gillett / Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

The administrators of both schools announced earlier this week that they had reviewed the allegations, but they did not specify whether anyone would be punished. Iowa Sports Director, Gary Barta, and his Iowa State counterpart, Jamie Pollard, issued a joint statement stating that members of groups from both schools had been submitted. to "gross, vulgar and, in some cases, violent" behavior at football games, and urging fans to stop the behavior.

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In response, Corey Knopp, who plays the tenor saxophone for the Iowa Marching Band, has released his account of the abuse committed after the match, won 18-17 by Iowa.

"People have been physically assaulted," Knopp said. "We expect ourselves to be booed, but never for the violence to happen … Put yourself in our shoes Kids, get training on our buses after a long day. the cans of beer are agitated and vaporized. " our feet. We are slapped because of the words of our uniform (IOWA). We are pushed so hard that someone (who is not going to name this person) has broken ribs. This is totally unacceptable. "

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Knopp also explained to the Gazette how a fan of Iowa State had pushed him as they were returning on the team buses.

"He decided to cut through the group and pushed me out of his way." I shouted, "Do not put my hand on me, sir," and he shouted, "Fk you k. "

A 19-year-old trumpet player, Nathan Topping, told The Gazette that a bottle of beer had been thrown at him, causing what he described as a "nasty bruise."

"It's the fans," said Paige Pearson, 20, who plays the trumpet in the Iowa band. "The Iowa State group was only kind, they contacted us and said sorry, it happened.This was not even the students, but the fans adults. "

University of Iowa spokesperson Jeneane Beck said Friday that social media posts made it clear that the university had not adequately informed students of what it had done to meet the needs of students. concerns of band members, the Gazette reported.

"Student safety is our number one priority and we are committed to ensuring a safe experience for our students on match day," said Beck. "In addition, we are continuing our investigation to ensure that all our students have the opportunity to share their experiences with the appropriate authorities."

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Officials from Iowa said Friday in a message to band members that Barta and Pollard "have been actively involved in the process and have publicly committed to providing better protections for future students."

Associated Press contributed to this report.

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