COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Ohio State University’s fired marching band director was lauded for “courageous” efforts to address attitudes surrounding the band’s traditions seven weeks before he was fired.
Jonathan Waters was dismissed July 24 after a university report found he had failed put an end to the band’s “sexualized culture,” including a tradition of midnight underwear marches.
The Columbus Dispatch reported the school on Wednesday released a performance review signed June 2 in which Waters was praised for “tackling some of the more extreme views head-on.”
The evaluation period ended in March, before the university began its investigation but was signed about a week after the probe began.
Also Wednesday, school President Michael Drake said he sees virtually no chance Waters will be reinstated. He deflected follow-up inquiries regarding criticism that’s arisen regarding the report.