Marching Band Fined for 'Obscene' Formation

Kansas State University will pay a $5,000 fine after its marching band's halftime show on Saturday was "misinterpreted" as showing the mascot of the rival University of Kansas Jayhawks performing oral sex. According to KCTV5, the band defended itself from charges that its formation was "obscene," claiming it was meant to depict Star Trek's USS Enterprise attacking the Jayhawk's beak. But many claimed the so-called Enterprise looked more like what the AP terms "a large phallus."

Regardless, Kansas State announced the self-imposed fine today after the Big 12 warned of possible violations for sportsmanship and ethical conduct. In addition, university officials will now approve all halftime shows, and the band's director will be forced to miss the November football game against the Jayhawks. But at least one person is buying the band's Star Trek excuse. "Maybe they're so nerdy they didn't realize how it looked," a local sports reporter tells KCTV5. (More NCAA football stories.)