Kansas State’s Athletic Director John Currie addressed the media Tuesday afternoon regarding the sanctions that have been imposed against the University due to this past Saturday’s Marching Band performance.

The sanctions were imposed due to the band depicting the Kansas Jayhawk on the field and, “has nothing to do with any perverted social media,” according to Currie.

“Our response is solely the fact that we portrayed the disintegration of the Jayhawk by the Starship Enterprise and that was felt in the Commissioner’s inquiry to be an unsportsmanlike act,” said Currie. “As we reviewed it, especially considering the fact that we were coming off of an unsportsmanlike situation at our arena last February, we understood the inquiry from the Conference office.”

Currie added that Kansas State received a sportsmanship inquiry Sunday afternoon from the Big 12 Conference and had until Monday at 5 pm to respond.

“At no time, to my knowledge, did the University of Kansas ever contact the Big 12. We did have contact with the University of Kansas on Sunday, but that was initiated by President Schulz to the Chancellor and myself to Athletic Director Zenger.”

The sanctions are as followed:

• A self-imposed $5,000 fine to be paid to the Big 12 Conference for violation of the league sportsmanship policy.

• A single-game suspension for the university director of bands (Dr. Frank Tracz). The suspension will take place Nov. 28 at the game against the University of Kansas.

• Prior approval for the content of all band halftime shows by representatives from the Office of Student Life and the Athletic Department.

Because the Big 12 Sportsmanship guideline does not outline any specific sanctions for such a violation, Kansas State was in “new territory” when it came time to impose them. Currie noted that the sanctions were developed with input from the Big 12.

“In terms of some of the people talking about some of the misinterpretations out their in the social media world, I fully believe that was never remotely apart of his intent. I know it’s a real painful thing and I feel really bad for him ( Dr. Tracz ) and we support him, and we support the band.”