When the Big Red's most notorious cheer gets labeled ""profane,"" ""obscene"" or ""vulgar,"" the student section normally responds: ""Eat shit, fuck you."" Now, head coach Brett Bielema and Athletic Director Barry Alvarez are urging students to ""end the vulgar chants.""
Bielema and Alvarez released a joint statement to student season ticket holders Thursday, reading: ""We believe you want to represent yourselves, your university and the football program in a classier manner than this. We believe you can have a great time at Camp Randall without chanting four-letter words.""
Although its date of origin is unknown, the ""Eat shit! Fuck you!"" chant has become a game day tradition and one of Madison's most famous cheers.
But Bielema said he worries about the impression the chant might have on the university's reputation, especially with recruits.
""It's not something you want to have showcased, people shouting out profanities,"" Bielema told The Daily Cardinal.
Bielema often receives letters about the chant, but said the ones that ""really tug [his] heartstrings"" are from parents with small children.
""It's all fun and games when you're in college, but you've got to think big picture and what you'd want your five-year-old brother to hear or see,"" he said.
Badger defensive back Aaron Henry said players can often hear the chant from the field, and while he does not necessarily support the cheer, it does not bother him.
""I'm sure a lot of faculty and staff don't really like it, but it's the culture around this place,"" Henry said. ""That's almost like saying if I leave the stadium, I shouldn't be offered a brat or a beer.""
Dean of Students Lori Berquam told the Cardinal she wants that culture to change.
""What do we really care about? What do we stand for? What do we want to be here as an institution?"" Berquam asked. ""That's what I'm more worried about.""
Student and Badger fan Eva Baldinger summed up the feelings of many students interviewed by the Cardinal Thursday.
""It's a tradition,"" she said. ""It's part of Wisconsin. I know it's a bad word, but it shows how passionate we are about our team.""
