Friday, September 21, 2001

‘Hey’ chant eliminated from games to boost TCU’s image, Ferrari says
By Kristin Delorantis
Staff Reporter

The “Dr. Who” chant, sometimes referred to as the “hey” song and frequently played at TCU football and basketball games, is no longer allowed because of the verse, “we’re gonna beat the hell out of you,” Chancellor Michael Ferrari said.

Ferrari said he did not have the same reaction to the current version of Riff Ram.
“In my thinking, “give ‘em hell TCU” was simply a chant that was not directed specifically at the opposing team or fans,” Ferrari said. “I must say, though, that I have always been put off by the chant ‘we’re gonna beat the hell out of you.’ It seems classless.”

Ferrari said the idea to eliminate the chant originated at the recent game against the Nebraska Cornhuskers in Lincoln, Neb.

“Here we were in the fourth quarter of the hard fought game trailing Nebraska and our cheer squad and fans were chanting this nonsensical cheer,” Ferrari said. “A few Cornhuskers sitting next to me said, ‘What’s that all about? Sure doesn’t sound like the TCU we know or have heard about.’”

Ferrari said he replied that the chant was a “tradition,” but he was embarrassed by the words.

Upon his return from the game against Nebraska, the chancellor said he mentioned to the vice chancellors that he was bothered by the chant. He said he found that other senior staff members had similar concerns.

Ferrari said he shared his thoughts with Head Cheerleading Coach Jeff Tucker, who agreed with to eliminate the chant.

“It is one thing to have taunting and teasing, it is another to say we are going to beat the hell out of someone,” Tucker said.

Tucker said he has gotten complaints from alumni and students prior to this, but the chant has remained because it was a TCU tradition. However, he said that since the decision has been made, he has not had any resistance.

Tucker said he spoke with the band directors about implementing the change.

Brian Youngblood, marching band director, said that if the administration wants a word stopped, the only way to stop it is to eliminate the song. However, he said it is hard to let go of tradition.

“I think it is sad to lose a song that means a lot to a lot of people but there is no way to police what people say,” Youngblood said.

Drum Major Jessica Ridings said there is student argument regarding the continuation of the Riff Ram chant containing the verse, “give ‘em hell TCU.”

“I can understand why the chancellor would not want us to use those words, given the fact that our name has a Christian connotation, but I feel that cheer regulations should be consistent,” Ridings said.

Junior English major Jennifer Veillette said that chants may be frowned upon, but should not be mandated against.

“I don’t necessarily think that swearing is at all appropriate, but I do not think it should be banned,” she said. “I don’t think people should be told what they can and cannot say.”

Kristin Delorantis
k.a.delorantis@student.tcu.edu