KENNESAW, Ga. -- A special investigation into Kennesaw State University's handling of cheerleaders who kelt during the national anthem has concluded, finding that the university's president failed to follow guidance laid out by the University of Georgia System.
"The Athletics Department maintains that the run of the show change was not related to the cheerleaders kneeling during the national anthem," the report says. "Their explanation is called into question, however, by the timing of the change."
This all unfolded after five cheerleaders decided to kneel as the national anthem played before the Sept. 30 football game against North Greenville University. In video from the sidelines of the game, cheerleaders kneel at the same moment their teammates take their posture for the playing of the anthem.
Photos | KSU cheerleaders kneel at football game
At their next game on Oct. 7, against Texas Southern, the cheerleaders were not on the field until after the national anthem. KSU repeatedly told 11Alive News that the decision to keep the cheerleaders off of the field until after the national anthem was merely one of many changes that had nothing to do with the protest or any complaints about it.
In a statement sent to 11Alive News, a school spokesperson said:
"The decision.... is part of a number of changes that have been made by a new Athletics administration each game as we continue to refine and enhance the gameday atmosphere for our fans. Some of those other changes have included painting the KS logo at midfield for the first time, the addition of metal detectors at gates to expedite fan entry, and music/PA system changes to have more loud speakers by the student section."
But a recently-released report seems to contradict that statement. On Oct. 18, the University System of Georgia asked the Board of Regents to conduct a formal investigation. That investigation included interviewing a number of people from the school, including university President Sam Olens.
According to the report, which details a timeline of how KSU handled the situation, the board found that cheerleaders had always been part of the school's pregame show during the 2015 and 2016 football seasons. It also noted there had been no formal proposals introduced to change the pre-game program during those seasons. Additionally, there had never been any discussion to change the pregame show in the 2017 season, prior to the Sept. 30 home game.
The report also notes the following:
Oct. 1 – KSU interim Athletics Director and Athletics Department began reciving calls about the cheerleader's actions, including republican state Rep. Earl Ehrhart, a key legislator who determines KSU's state funding every year, and Cobb County Sheriff Neil Warren.
Oct. 2 and 3 – President Olens attends a meeting with the University System of Georgia, during which staff relayed that students First Amendment rights meant they could not be prohibited from keeling during the anthem so long as it wasn't disruptive. University System of Georgia presidents were also instructed to discuss changes related to the matter with the University System prior to implementation.
Oct. 2 – Olens receives calls from Ehrhart and Warren, who both said the cheerleaders should not be permitted to kneel. Olens said neither directed him to remove the cheerleaders and he told them they had a First Amedment right to kneel.
Oct. 4 – Plans are announced that the cheerleaders and the mascot would enter after the national anthem to improve the fan experience. The plan was discussed with Olens, who allegedly said it could move forward if it was to improve the fan experience. However, it was noted Olens did not contact the University System as he should have.
Oct. 6 – Warren calls Olens again, who told the sheriff would not be on the field during the national anthem.
Oct. 7 – The Athletics Department premiered their new pre-game program, thought the University System Office said it did not learn of the changes until after local media reports published the day after.
It also highlights the fact that Olens issued a statement on Nov. 8, while the special review was ongoing, announcing the pre-game program would be restored to its original format on Nov. 11, three days before the board's report was released.
The report concluded that the decision to change the pre-game show and move cheerleaders into the tunnel during the national anthem was related to the Sept. 30 game.
It said while neither Olens nor a KSU employee directed the changes be made, he was aware of the proposal days before but did nothing to stop the change. The report also says Olens did not advise the University System of Georgia about the changes, though he was supposed to.
MORE STORIES
KSU cheerleaders who took a knee: 'Before we went out on the field, we all prayed'
Students march in support of KSU Cheerleaders kneeling for national anthem
State lawmaker: University stadiums are no place for free speech demonstrations
'What a freakin' mess.' Olens sworn in as KSU president as cheerleader fallout continues
