"To Band or To Dis-band"

[Webergrad02]

I wanted to give the band it's own thread.

I had noticed the lack of the band during the regular season and had wondered what was up. Then I heard that we had cut the bands funding this season. The first thing that came to my mind was, "this is where we are getting the COA stipend money".

Then as I watched the Pitt band change shirts and was told that we were paying the Pitt band members $15 per to represent us, again I thought "Must be the COA's, we don't look very big time." I was surprised how many times the announcers brought it up and was embarrassed each time.

Yes there was a concert the night before and it would have been costly and chaotic to get the band members to St. Louis. I feel that if the band was more of a priority we would have tried to make something work. What about sending a smaller number of band members or just a drum line? Have them dress up unique and fun. It would have been much easier to watch than our $15 outsourcing job.

So what is the future of the band at basketball games? We all say that we want to get more students involved in the game and then we take away funding for something that involves students. Over the last 5 years we have seen much less of the band and much more of SATOG during timeouts. I know that we need promotions during timeouts, but there has to be some sort of balance. To me SATOG adds very little to the game and should be replaced by a marketing or communication student immediately. I wonder if he is part of our radio deal, since he works for one of the local radio conglomerates.

I keep hearing that we want to grow the Weber State brand nationally. I hear that we want to get more students to the games and involve them more. Then we make decisions to not fund the band and not have our own band representation at the tournament. What we saw about our band on Friday night did not grow the Weber State brand. The words that came to my mind were: cheap, small time, pathetic and we just don't care. The goal all season long was to reach the NCAA tournament. We would have had to know about the possible band conflict weeks or months in advance. For sure in enough time to figure out a good contingency plan. Meanwhile the Pitt band looks like heros.

 

[kcoolhand]

Maybe it's time to "Lighten Up" just bit. the band couldn't make the trip. On other posts I see it may not have been financing, but other obligations the band had. Regardless, it seems like it was good publicity for the university and now we have some new fans in Pittsburg. On top of that, it seems all had a good time:

http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/ncaab-the-dagger/pitt-s-band-made-sure-weber-st--heard-its-fight-song-in-st--louis-033250729.html

 

[DeeWildcatTailgater]

We need to move the band to a court side location so it can become part of the show.

 

[n.ogdencat]

I think the concern is, is that we are moving away from focusing on students and outsourcing more and more of the functions of the department. Besides, who doesn't have a band? It is a major facet of the game atmosphere and the college game. I love the Jazz and the show they put on in Salt Lake, but I do not want to see that same show in Ogden. I want to participate in the "college" atmosphere. It seems like our games are being influenced more by what the Jazz do, and not what other colleges do. I think there are some really good things about that approach, but to limit the pep band is not one of them. Looking at peer institutions would be the best bet. No matter, student bands are something university athletics really need. Something absolutely unique to the college atmosphere and needs to be retained at all costs. If athletics need more money to help, why don't they ask?

As for the bands influence...how many posters on this forum once played in the band? I know of three. I think the band is another way to involve students in the university. If you get students involved, there is a greater likelihood of them becoming supporters of the university in the future. Not having a pep band, is a very BAD idea. Just like the idea of not having a Greek System or not having a student fan group like the Purple Pak or Cat Pak, getting rid of avenues through which students can become involved only hurts the university and our students. Our purpose is to educated and involve students. Besides, that is the best way to cement loyalty to an institution.

 

[weberwildcat]

We still have a band? It's down to a dozen at football.

 

[hawkssb04]

We still have a band? It's down to a dozen at football.

There will be 18-20 for tonight's WBI game. They are also shooting a video with Waldo and the Spirit Squad during pre-game to thank the Pitt band for stepping in for us last week.

 

[hawkssb04]

I wanted to give the band it's own thread.

Then as I watched the Pitt band change shirts and was told that we were paying the Pitt band members $15 per to represent us, again I thought "Must be the COA's, we don't look very big time." I was surprised how many times the announcers brought it up and was embarrassed each time.

Yes there was a concert the night before and it would have been costly and chaotic to get the band members to St. Louis. I feel that if the band was more of a priority we would have tried to make something work. What about sending a smaller number of band members or just a drum line? Have them dress up unique and fun. It would have been much easier to watch than our $15 outsourcing job.

OK. So two things need to be clarified here. One, the decision to send (or not send) the pep band to St. Louis is one that's made by the band director, the department and the Lindquist College of Arts & Humanities. It isn't Athletics call at the end of the day. Two, credit needs to be given where credit is due. Athletics went above and beyond, in my mind, to arrange the Pitt band thingy in the first place. They had a connection with the AD at Pitt, knew about them doing it for Penn State a few years back, and asked for a favor. They also had the foresight to get all their band members' shirt sizes in advance and have them ready to go for them in St. Louis so WSU would have a "presence." Although I agree with much on this thread about the direction of WSU athletics, there is zero reason to get bent out of shape with them over this. In fact, they should be applauded. :clap:

 

[SWeberCat02]

I wanted to give the band it's own thread.

Then as I watched the Pitt band change shirts and was told that we were paying the Pitt band members $15 per to represent us, again I thought "Must be the COA's, we don't look very big time." I was surprised how many times the announcers brought it up and was embarrassed each time.

Yes there was a concert the night before and it would have been costly and chaotic to get the band members to St. Louis. I feel that if the band was more of a priority we would have tried to make something work. What about sending a smaller number of band members or just a drum line? Have them dress up unique and fun. It would have been much easier to watch than our $15 outsourcing job.

OK. So two things need to be clarified here. One, the decision to send (or not send) the pep band to St. Louis is one that's made by the band director, the department and the Lindquist College of Arts & Humanities. It isn't Athletics call at the end of the day. Two, credit needs to be given where credit is due. Athletics went above and beyond, in my mind, to arrange the Pitt band thingy in the first place. They had a connection with the AD at Pitt, knew about them doing it for Penn State a few years back, and asked for a favor. They also had the foresight to get all their band members' shirt sizes in advance and have them ready to go for them in St. Louis so WSU would have a "presence." Although I agree with much on this thread about the direction of WSU athletics, there is zero reason to get bent out of shape with them over this. In fact, they should be applauded. :clap:

If the Weber band couldn't be there then doing nothing would have been the better option. The reason some are bent out of shape is because it was embarrassing to have Weber "hire" a replacement band on national TV. It was awkward and just made the University look cheap and small-time. That's nothing to applaud.

 

[SWeberCat02]

I wanted to give the band it's own thread.

I had noticed the lack of the band during the regular season and had wondered what was up. Then I heard that we had cut the bands funding this season. The first thing that came to my mind was, "this is where we are getting the COA stipend money".

Then as I watched the Pitt band change shirts and was told that we were paying the Pitt band members $15 per to represent us, again I thought "Must be the COA's, we don't look very big time." I was surprised how many times the announcers brought it up and was embarrassed each time.

Yes there was a concert the night before and it would have been costly and chaotic to get the band members to St. Louis. I feel that if the band was more of a priority we would have tried to make something work. What about sending a smaller number of band members or just a drum line? Have them dress up unique and fun. It would have been much easier to watch than our $15 outsourcing job.

So what is the future of the band at basketball games? We all say that we want to get more students involved in the game and then we take away funding for something that involves students. Over the last 5 years we have seen much less of the band and much more of SATOG during timeouts. I know that we need promotions during timeouts, but there has to be some sort of balance. To me SATOG adds very little to the game and should be replaced by a marketing or communication student immediately. I wonder if he is part of our radio deal, since he works for one of the local radio conglomerates.

I keep hearing that we want to grow the Weber State brand nationally. I hear that we want to get more students to the games and involve them more. Then we make decisions to not fund the band and not have our own band representation at the tournament. What we saw about our band on Friday night did not grow the Weber State brand. The words that came to my mind were: cheap, small time, pathetic and we just don't care. The goal all season long was to reach the NCAA tournament. We would have had to know about the possible band conflict weeks or months in advance. For sure in enough time to figure out a good contingency plan. Meanwhile the Pitt band looks like heros.

I agree. More band and less SATOG. And at least require SATOG to be presentable. Dude looks like a slob.

 

[SWeberCat02]

Simple solution would be to expect the basketball team to get to the NCAA tournament every year and plan the band's schedule so that they are always available when the team does make it. Tournament dates are set years in advance.

 

[Webergrad02]

I wanted to give the band it's own thread.

I had noticed the lack of the band during the regular season and had wondered what was up. Then I heard that we had cut the bands funding this season. The first thing that came to my mind was, "this is where we are getting the COA stipend money".

Then as I watched the Pitt band change shirts and was told that we were paying the Pitt band members $15 per to represent us, again I thought "Must be the COA's, we don't look very big time." I was surprised how many times the announcers brought it up and was embarrassed each time.

Yes there was a concert the night before and it would have been costly and chaotic to get the band members to St. Louis. I feel that if the band was more of a priority we would have tried to make something work. What about sending a smaller number of band members or just a drum line? Have them dress up unique and fun. It would have been much easier to watch than our $15 outsourcing job.

So what is the future of the band at basketball games? We all say that we want to get more students involved in the game and then we take away funding for something that involves students. Over the last 5 years we have seen much less of the band and much more of SATOG during timeouts. I know that we need promotions during timeouts, but there has to be some sort of balance. To me SATOG adds very little to the game and should be replaced by a marketing or communication student immediately. I wonder if he is part of our radio deal, since he works for one of the local radio conglomerates.

I keep hearing that we want to grow the Weber State brand nationally. I hear that we want to get more students to the games and involve them more. Then we make decisions to not fund the band and not have our own band representation at the tournament. What we saw about our band on Friday night did not grow the Weber State brand. The words that came to my mind were: cheap, small time, pathetic and we just don't care. The goal all season long was to reach the NCAA tournament. We would have had to know about the possible band conflict weeks or months in advance. For sure in enough time to figure out a good contingency plan. Meanwhile the Pitt band looks like heros.

I agree. More band and less SATOG. And at least require SATOG to be presentable. Dude looks like a slob.

SATOG must read the forum. It looked like he shaved, his hair wasn't a mess, and his shirt was wrinkle and stain free. But one reason why I attend the women's games is the break from him. I cringed when I heard his voice last night.