Goshen Picks 'America the Beautiful' for Athletic Events

Goshen College has selected "America the Beautiful" to play before athletic events, the Associated Press reported. As a pacifist, Mennonite institution, Goshen has refrained from playing "The Star-Spangled Banner," and a brief period of doing so last year led to complaints from some students and alumni that its militaristic themes are inconsistent with college values, prompting the college to stop playing it. Officials believe that "America the Beautiful" expresses love for the United States without a military theme.