Radio station drops ECU game

[TheMoody1]

http://www.espn.com/college-football/st ... nd-members

A North Carolina radio station will not air East Carolina's football game Saturday following last weekend's protest staged by members of the Pirates' marching band.

WFAY-AM in Fayetteville, North Carolina, announced Tuesday that it would not carry the Pirates' game at South Florida. The move comes after approximately a dozen ECU band members kneeled during the anthem before the game against Central Florida to protest racial injustice and police brutality.

Band officials issued an apology Monday.


Some members of the East Carolina marching band took a knee during the national anthem prior to Saturday's game against Central Forida. Greg Thompson/Icon Sportswire
Colonial Radio Group president and CEO Jeff Andrulonis said sponsors agree with the decision, but he'll lose advertising revenue.

"I'm proud of our country and I'm proud of our soldiers -- especially our soldiers from Fort Bragg fighting for our country -- so I've decided that ESPN Fayetteville will 'protest the protest,'" Andrulonis said.

The station is an ESPN Radio affiliate, and it plans to carry the rest of the Pirates' games this season.

The band members were following the lead of several NFL players who have kneeled at games, beginning with San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick, who refused to stand for the anthem before preseason games.

Andrulonis, however, said the protest was "shameful" and the band members "disgraced themselves."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

[Yosef10]

They interviewed the CEO of the Fayetteville station here in Raleigh on the Adam and Joe show yesterday. You could tell it was a personal issue for him and not seen through an objective lens. He couldn't answer why he'll still broadcast NFL games where the very same protests are going on. This is also the only game he's pulling from the broadcast, regardless of if the band continues to protest or not. When asked what does all this accomplish exactly his response was "we're making our point". Pretty obvious this is just a chance for his station to get some free publicity, no matter how shameless the move. It's also pretty interesting to me that the same situation played out at NCSU the week before and all you heard was crickets but in the Eastern part of he state it has come to this.

[WVAPPeer]

The topic that Kaepernick raised is a valid issue - He picked the wrong way to lodge a protest - not standing for the National Anthem makes the topic " The National Anthem" and not what he intended - Fayetteville is not a place which will take not standing for The National Anthem lightly --- These young people represent the University - Now for the radio station - I guess they want to make sure the people of Fayetteville know where they stand - but seems to show no other purpose than that ---

[moonshine]

Read an article yesterday and apparently the radio station has not heard "any dissent" from it's advertisers by skipping the ECU broadcast. I wonder how this impacts the contract between the Pirates and the station.

[/\PP ST/\TE GRAD 09]

Band members who although represent the university, do not speak for the university as a whole decide to protest. How do we punish the listeners at home who too could disagree with the actions of the band members? You don't allow them the opportunity to listen to the FOOTBALL GAME, because of the actions of some band members?

Am I missing how this makes sense?

[Gonzo]

Band members who although represent the university, do not speak for the university as a whole decide to protest. How do we punish the listeners at home who too could disagree with the actions of the band members? You don't allow them the opportunity to listen to the FOOTBALL GAME, because of the actions of some band members?

Am I missing how this makes sense?

It makes as much sense as musicians cancelling shows in North Carolina or PayPal cancelling its Charlotte expansion to protest HB2. It's their right as a private business, but it's a sanction that only serves to punish NC citizens rather than Republicans in Raleigh or in this case band members at ECU.

I agree it's dumb. The major distinction to me is the fact that cancelling shows and expansion into NC in response to HB2 is an out-of-state actor seeking to control the political climate and policy of OUR state. That rubs me the wrong way a lot more than a local radio station pulling it's nearby school's game.

[Saint3333]

You can only protest on one said of this debate I guess.

[Goapps15]

Band members who although represent the university, do not speak for the university as a whole decide to protest. How do we punish the listeners at home who too could disagree with the actions of the band members? You don't allow them the opportunity to listen to the FOOTBALL GAME, because of the actions of some band members?

Am I missing how this makes sense?

It makes as much sense as musicians cancelling shows in North Carolina or PayPal cancelling its Charlotte expansion to protest HB2. It's their right as a private business, but it's a sanction that only serves to punish NC citizens rather than Republicans in Raleigh or in this case band members at ECU.

I agree it's dumb. The major distinction to me is the fact that cancelling shows and expansion into NC in response to HB2 is an out-of-state actor seeking to control the political climate and policy of OUR state. That rubs me the wrong way a lot more than a local radio station pulling it's nearby school's game.

Both of you are right it is stupid on both sides of the aisle. No matter what type of organization you run, you have people from both sides of the aisle. By making statements as an organization you can alienate your own workers and clientele. That is why organizations should not speak out whether in support or against a law. Just my .02

The issue is the musicians and companies who protest the HB2 do it for free publicity. Just like this radio station in Fayetteville. I am surprised more people have not protested the original protesters. I mean do we really think the NBA cares about people, it is about money. They play games in China where the situation is a million times worse than America.

[App74]

There are more troops at Fort Bragg than any other base in the world, not to mention civilians employed by the Army. It is home to the 82nd Airborne and headquarters for Army Special Operations. When the National Anthem is played at Fort Bragg, nobody takes a knee.

Looks to me that the station CEO knows his market quite well and is responding appropriately.

[Deano]

I am and APP Graduate, combat veteran and currently live and work in Fayetteville NC. I was up for the Georgia State game this weekend and I noticed a small processional of Black Live Matter protestors walking through our tailgate(consisted of 4 black people and about 20 white people). We all paused, noticed them, then went about our merry tailgating. For me it bothers me more how the ECU band members and Kaepernik protest vs the peaceful BLM procession. I just get a feeling that the band members are doing it because its a FAD for them, young people want to be part of a cause, feel like they are doing their part. They don't understand all of the connotations of disrespecting the Flag who some people have fought and died for.
I think if people ignore the Band members and TV doesn't show who's kneeling and who isn't this flag disrespect will lose steam and popularity.

[HBTApps]

Finally some good news

[Yosef10]

I am and APP Graduate, combat veteran and currently live and work in Fayetteville NC. I was up for the Georgia State game this weekend and I noticed a small processional of Black Live Matter protestors walking through our tailgate(consisted of 4 black people and about 20 white people). We all paused, noticed them, then went about our merry tailgating. For me it bothers me more how the ECU band members and Kaepernik protest vs the peaceful BLM procession. I just get a feeling that the band members are doing it because its a FAD for them, young people want to be part of a cause, feel like they are doing their part. They don't understand all of the connotations of disrespecting the Flag who some people have fought and died for.
I think if people ignore the Band members and TV doesn't show who's kneeling and who isn't this flag disrespect will lose steam and popularity.

I'd like to state the obvious first by saying thank you for your service, it is very much appreciated. My question is and with all due respect: how is what Kap/these band member anymore disruptive than the BLM protestors walking through your tailgate? They are silent protests and the majority of folks at the ECU game didn't even notice these went on until there was a statement issued at the beginning of the 3rd quarter. I also don't know how anyone can assume these band members are doing it as part of a fad when no one knows that answer for sure.

As an aside I think the difference in military members opinion about the "disrespect" to the flag by taking a knee is an interesting side note. From the members I know personally it's about a 50/50 split on those who do and don't think it's disrespectful. About the same from the members I've seen online. Regardless it's sad and tiresome to see such a current divide in our country.

[appaneer1984]

The band members are expected to play the National Anthem. That is nothing new...if they refuse to play they should be kicked off the band. It's the same thing as if a football player all of a sudden decided to not take the field to protest concussions. Or a soldier refusing to enter the combat zone, or a doctor refusing treatment, a postal worker refusing delivery...they all knew what they were getting themselves into when they signed up for it. They are in the band to play music including music they may not enjoy playing or listening to, but in life there are thousands of things people don't want or like to do (e.g. taxes, go to work, be nice) but millions of people wake up every morning and do it...it's called "growing up"

[mountaineerman]

In my opinion flag and anthem are not where you protest. I just think of all the loss of life that has gone with defending this country .the anthem and flag represent every piece of that.

[bigdaddyg]

In my opinion flag and anthem are not where you protest. I just think of all the loss of life that has gone with defending this country .the anthem and flag represent every piece of that.

I have also lived in Fayetteville most of my life. I have heard our city called Fayettenam on many occasions to include back in the 80's when I was at App. As a college student I just laughed it off. I was never in the military but have many friends (most of which are retired) who proudly served. I had heard the CK might have expected a rude welcome when the 49er's played in San Diego as it also has a large military presence. I personally don't care what the kneelers do. It's a free country. That being said the flag, the anthem and the military carries a whole bunch of weight around here. It's easier to "protest" and "take a knee" when you are clueless about the sacrifices that have been made. I dare say that in places like Greeneville and San Francisco and other NFL cities there aren't a bunch of guys living with prosthetic legs who are out coaching kids soccer games. If you really and truly believe in a cause and want to bring attention by protest more power to you. If you are just blindly jumping on the bandwagon then shame on you.

[JCline0429]

I am and APP Graduate, combat veteran and currently live and work in Fayetteville NC. I was up for the Georgia State game this weekend and I noticed a small processional of Black Live Matter protestors walking through our tailgate(consisted of 4 black people and about 20 white people). We all paused, noticed them, then went about our merry tailgating. For me it bothers me more how the ECU band members and Kaepernik protest vs the peaceful BLM procession. I just get a feeling that the band members are doing it because its a FAD for them, young people want to be part of a cause, feel like they are doing their part. They don't understand all of the connotations of disrespecting the Flag who some people have fought and died for.
I think if people ignore the Band members and TV doesn't show who's kneeling and who isn't this flag disrespect will lose steam and popularity.

I'd like to state the obvious first by saying thank you for your service, it is very much appreciated. My question is and with all due respect: how is what Kap/these band member anymore disruptive than the BLM protestors walking through your tailgate? They are silent protests and the majority of folks at the ECU game didn't even noticethese went on until there was a statement issued at the beginning of the 3rd quarter. I also don't know how anyone can assume these band members are doing it as part of a fad when no one knows that answer for sure.

As an aside I think the difference in military members opinion about the "disrespect" to the flag by taking a knee is an interesting side note. From the members I know personally it's about a 50/50 split on those who do and don't think it's disrespectful. About the same from the members I've seen online. Regardless it's sad and tiresome to see such a current divide in our country.

A close friend of mine who is a big time Pirate Club member was at the game and said thousands, including himself booed the band as it happened. The EZU chancellor came out advocating the band members' protest while the band director has said they may not field the band for the Navy game. Instead, the Navy band will perform unless things change between now and then.