LSU bans opponents’ marching bands from halftime performances

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LSU has banned opponents’ marching bands from performing at halftime, a team spokesperson confirmed to The Advocate.

The university policy, which was instituted last season but will be more thoroughly enacted this season, was implemented for safety purposes, due to the sidelines becoming overcrowded by the presence of bands from both schools. The rule was applied to the bands of McNeese State and Auburn last year.

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“It’s a safety issue,” team spokesperson Michael Bonnette told The Advocate. “We don’t have room down there for both bands. In order for bands to perform at half, they’ve got to come down to the field before the first half ends. That’s a lot of people on the sideline.”

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As a result of the rule, Jacksonville State–LSU’s first home opponent of the 2016 season–will not bring its band to the Sept. 10 matchup at Tiger Stadium.

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