OSU board hears from ex-band director's backers

COLUMBUS (AP) — Supporters of the fired Ohio State University marching band director are out in force for a meeting of the university trustees.

Dozens of alumni musicians and other supporters of Jonathan Waters gathered for today’s meeting, serenading the event with fight songs and anthems familiar to fans of what’s known as The Best Damn Band in The Land. A pro-Waters banner was flown overhead.

Board chairman Jeffrey Wadsworth planned to give Waters’ supporters an opportunity to address the board after trustees concluded their business around noon. Wadsworth has said trustees won’t revisit Waters’ July 24 termination.

Waters’ dismissal followed a two-month university investigation concluding he knew about but failed to stop a “sexualized culture” of rituals within the band. His backers have criticized the probe as riddled with inaccuracies and mischaracterizations.