Ohio State University fired marching band director Jonathan Waters on Friday after discovering that Waters did little to deter a "sexualized" culture among students. The information was gathered over a two-month-long investigation from the OSU Office of Compliance and Integrity, where incidents of sexual harassment and hazing were largely ignored by Waters.

According to his attorney, David Axelrod, the news of his firing was surprising to Waters.

"Jonathan has not decided precisely what action he will take," Axelrod said. "He intends to defend his good name in one way or another."

Investigators wrote in a 23-page report that Waters, 38, knew of several traditions among band members that involved harassment, usually older students directed to new bandmates. The report claimed Waters knew of these practices and ignored complaints and mishandled one student's complaint of sexual assault.

Since Waters started as the marching band director in 2012, two sexual assaults between band members have been reported. In the most recently reported case, reports said the female victim was disciplined along with the male student. The university later reversed the decision.

Other harassment included yearly late-night practices where all band members marched in their underwear. Staff, including Waters, attended these practices only after a student suffered alcohol poisoning. Demeaning nicknames and forcing "rookies" to do tricks, sexual or otherwise, on command were also among the complaints.

"Jonathan tried as hard as he could within the constraints imposed upon him to change that culture," Axelrod said. "He did his absolute best."

OSU's president Michael Drake said that after viewing the report, university leadership unanimously agreed to releasing Waters.

"We need to have a safe and supportive environment for our students," Drake said."We care about what is happening when we are looking, but we also care about what is happening when we are not looking, and our leaders have a responsibility to set that standard and to enforce it."