Maryland retains ban on offensive song

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A student-led appeal for the return of a controversial cheer was rejected yesterday by Maryland officials.

"Rock and Roll, Part II" will remain banned at athletic events after administrators overruled the sportsmanship committee's 6-3 vote to reinstate it. The 1972 song has been a longtime staple following opposing basketball team introductions, though Maryland students have added vulgarities to the original lyrics at sporting events. The panel first rejected it after recently barring the band from playing the song during football games before reconsidering it Wednesday following student input.

Basketball coach Gary Williams supported the ban after meeting with athletic director Debbie Yow and vice president of student affairs Linda Clement.

"There's no pressure to make this decision," Williams said. "I make my decisions based on the best interests of my team and the university. We appreciate the support of the students at our games, and we made sure the students received the best seats at Comcast Center when it was built. Hopefully, they will understand the situation with 'Rock and Roll, Part II,' but it's as simple as this -- we don't want to win and have some of our fans walk away upset with their overall experience at the game."

Williams recently told The Washington Times he didn't feel tradition-bound to continue the song.

"Let's move on," he said. "Tradition is winning, not 'Rock and Roll, Part II.' Eleven straight NCAA tournaments is tradition."

Meanwhile, the 4,000-seat student section that rings the Comcast Center court will be known as "Garyland." Last year's designation -- the Red Army -- was withdrawn after alumni objected it referred to the Soviet Union.

Note -- Maryland football will play N.C. State at Byrd Stadium on Oct.16 at 3:30p.m. as an ABC regional game.