A UW Athletic Department incentive proved ineffective Saturday when the student section continued the so-called ""ES-FU"" cheer despite university officials' request to stop the ""vulgar"" chant.
In a joint statement released Thursday before the game, Badger football head coach Bret Bielema and Athletic Director Barry Alvarez called on students to ""end the vulgar chant,"" referring to the student section's tradition of chanting, ""Eat shit"" and ""Fuck you"" back and forth.
The Athletic Department took its anti-chant offensive one step further Friday, offering students ""a positive outcome for positive behavior,"" in the form of two student tickets to this year's bowl game.
The prize, which would go to two randomly selected student season ticket holders each game, includes transportation and three nights' lodging in addition to bowl game tickets, provided students do not start the ""ES-FU"" chant at future home games.
But the student section refused to comply at Saturday's game, using the ""ES-FU"" chant at least twice during the Indiana game.
Associate Athletic Director Justin Doherty said ""the offer still stands"" through the next two home games.
""Thank you to the students who heeded the appeal of the first letter,"" Doherty said. ""We'll just continue to appeal to the students to help us create a friendlier, more collegial atmosphere in the stadium. The ball's really in the students' court.""
—Alison Bauter
