Columbia's irreverent band banned

Headed to another winless season, Columbia's football team is going quietly.

The university administration has banned Columbia's marching band from playing during tomorrow's season finale against Brown at Baker Field because the musicians mocked the team's poor performance by using alternate words to the school fight song during last week's 62-41 defeat at Cornell.

The school said in a statement that the group, which bills itself as the "Cleverest Band in the World," used lyrics to the effect of "Why do we even try, we always lose" in a parody of "Roar, Lion, Roar," which urges the Lions to "wake the echoes of the Hudson Valley" and "fight on to victory evermore."

According to the Columbia Spectator, the alternate lyrics also included: "We always lose, lose, lose; by a lot, and sometimes by a little."

The band also features a "Running Nose" formation in which the musicians form a nose and run down the field.

The university's statement said: "We believe the actions of the band were inappropriate and embarrassed our student-athletes, coaches, parents and fans."

That prompted an apology yesterday from senior Jose Delgado, the band's manager. "We accept the consequences and look forward to continue to be a part of our school spirit for future athletic events," he said in a statement.

The Lions are 0-9 this season, which could be the 11th time they go 0-7 in the Ivy League. Columbia won its only Ivy title in 1961 and set what was then a Division I record with 44 straight losses from 1983-87.