[UPDATED] More Accusations Revealed In CyHawk Abuse Incident

[UPDATE 9/18 3:30 pm]

Iowa Athletic Director Gary Barta and Iowa State Athletic Director Jamie Pollard released this joint statement Wednesday afternoon:

Both the University of Iowa and Iowa State University are committed to providing a safe environment for everyone attending events on their respective campuses. This includes members of the school’s marching bands. Unfortunately, both the Hawkeye and Cyclone marching bands have been the target of unacceptable behavior at football games in Iowa City and Ames in recent years. Some of the conduct directed at the students in our respective marching bands recently has been rude, vulgar, and in some cases, violent. We should all feel embarrassed when students in the bands don’t feel safe when performing at an away game. Each of our athletics departments is committed to doing whatever is necessary to improve the environment for visiting school marching bands in the future. A significant part of the solution is insisting our fans help address this issue by showing more respect to our visitors. We owe it to these hardworking performers to have a safe stage on which they can showcase their spirit and talent.

[ORIGINAL STORY] Iowa State athletic director Jamie Pollard says he still doesn't know many details and is avoiding further comment until he does, but the parent of an Iowa marching band member is accusing Cyclone fans of abuse.

At the Saturday Iowa vs. Iowa State game in Ames, this unnamed parent, according to KCCI, claims fans threw beer, assaulted and even groped female members of the Iowa marching band.

Former Iowa State marching band director Dennis Goering downplays it and says he is not surprised to hear about what happened. Abuse towards bands is not uncommon, but a former member of the Iowa marching band says these allegations reach a new low.

We've seen food thrown at band members, beer thrown at band members, people yelling, screaming, physically attacking people.

Patrick Schlitz says when he was in the band, they'd often have to take roundabout ways around the stadium to avoid fans. He says their best bet is to just not interact with the fans.