"Sex, drugs and rock and roll" may make for a good motto, but in practice, it can cause some problems.
The notorious Stanford University marching band has been temporarily suspended through next spring after a panel found repeated violations of school policies.
This, by the way, has nothing to do with its well-documented role in "The Play" in 1982, in which a California player bowled over a trombone player to score the game-winning touchdown on a five-lateral kickoff return.
This is about the stuff the Stanford band does off the field.
The punishment announced Friday comes after the band was barred from performing at away games during the 2015-2016 season for violating policies on sexual harassment, alcohol, controlled substances and hazing.
The band had already been under scrutiny for its behavior since 2012.
"Violations included a tradition in which a band member was given an alcoholic concoction intended to make that individual [throw up] publicly; an annual trip in which some band members used illegal substances; and a band selection process in which individuals were asked a number of inappropriate questions on sexual matters," a university statement said at the time.
Originally formed in 1893, the Leland Stanford Junior University Marching Band has been primarily led by students since the 1960s and bills itself as "The World's Largest Rock and Roll Band."
Eschewing the traditional marching and military-style uniforms, the band, which is still banned from Disneyland over an incident in 1972 and was banned from Oregon (the state, that is, not the university) for a decade, has been suspended or otherwise disciplined nearly 10 times over the past 40 years, most notably in 1986, for urinating on the field, and in 2006, after being accused of trashing the trailer that had been its home.
According to the Los Angeles Times, Stanford Vice Provost Greg Boardman said in a letter that he wants to end the current student-managed band structure and introduce a professional music director who will have final control over the organization.
That'll end well.
Jaeger bomb
A German company that makes a popular liqueur is not raising a shot glass to the Milwaukee Bucks' redesigned logo.
The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports that Mast-Jagermeister has filed formal opposition with an appeal board of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office about the registration of the logo.
The company contends it "has established exclusive rights in the DEER HEAD Marks through use in commerce in the United States" going back to 1968. It cites numerous reasons to oppose registration for the NBA team, including the possibility that people might confuse the two companies or believe they are connected or affiliated.
Both logos feature forward-looking deer with large antlers inside a circle or partial circle in about the same proportions.
Neither the Bucks nor Jagermeister returned messages seeking comment.
It's sad when a sports team and a liquor manufacturer have to lock horns like this. Maybe they just don't want to fall into a rut.
Put him in, Coach
Chicago Cub Manager Joe Maddon told TMZ last week that he saw Cleveland Cavaliers center LeBron James, when he wore a Cubs uniform to the United Center to pay off a World Series bet he lost to Dwyane Wade, and was quick to offer him a spot in the outfield.
"He looked great," Maddon said. "He can play center field for us any time."
Sports quiz
What year was the Milwaukee Bucks franchise founded?
Answer
1968
Sports on 12/12/2016