UTAD cutting band funding/involvement? (Merged)

[MWAVolfan]

Are you really upset because you wont hear immigrant song or the gladiator theme for the eight millionth time?

As long as the band still does pregame, halftime, and rocky top I really dont see what the big damn deal is.

I say not having the band at away games is a way bigger deal than not hearing those tired old pep tunes that have been played at games since before I got to UT in 1996!!!!

I also say the sh!tty grey uniforms are a bigger fail than this.

But at the end of the day if young idiot players have to have sh!tty grey alternate uniforms and rap music to play better, then I say "give them bread and circus!". We need wins on the football field!

 

[Manvol]

I petition they stop playing Living on a Prayer and find something a little more rousing. I love the band but Come on Man.

This

 

[GAVol]

Yes, you're old

I know I'm old. I just find it funny that they really just hung their hat on a stiff version of a Bon Jovi song. I can't believe anybody would really miss hearing that for the 300th time. I don't think the repertoire has changed in 15 years.

 

[GAVol]

Are you really upset because you wont hear immigrant song or the gladiator theme for the eight millionth time?

As long as the band still does pregame, halftime, and rocky top I really dont see what the big damn deal is.

I say not having the band at away games is a way bigger deal than not hearing those tired old pep tunes that have been played at games since before I got to UT in 1996!!!!

I also say the sh!tty grey uniforms are a bigger fail than this.

But at the end of the day if young idiot players have to have sh!tty grey alternate uniforms and rap music to play better, then I say "give them bread and circus!". We need wins on the football field!

You have just perfectly stated my opinion.

 

[Jake]

It pretty much is true. They would still march in pregame and at halftime, but their in-game playing will be reduced dramatically.

Seems like this matters the most to the band members, former band members, and the ultra traditionalists. And I doubt anyone jumps off the stadium over it.

I'm not trying to be insensitive, but...I'm just sayin'.

 

[UT_Dutchman]

Where's the petition for the removal of Dave Hart? Go Big ORANGE!

 

[JCP201]

I'm okay as long as we get our pre-game, Rocky top (touchdown, etc) and they can do their home half time show. I understand that it costs money to send them to those away games, but hope when we start winning that they can start going back. I honestly would save my money, stay home and watch on TV without all the pregame festivities. That is part of the gameday experience that you can't get at home and a reason for going.

 

[mkvolsfan]

Bunch of Sky is Falling, Fox News believing, panic inducing paranoid freaks on this board! The band is going to be there, running through the T is not gonna change. Relax, change can be good!

 

[SmokeyX]

Are you really upset because you wont hear immigrant song or the gladiator theme for the eight millionth time?

As long as the band still does pregame, halftime, and rocky top I really dont see what the big damn deal is.

I say not having the band at away games is a way bigger deal than not hearing those tired old pep tunes that have been played at games since before I got to UT in 1996!!!!

I also say the sh!tty grey uniforms are a bigger fail than this.

But at the end of the day if young idiot players have to have sh!tty grey alternate uniforms and rap music to play better, then I say "give them bread and circus!". We need wins on the football field!

Does the Pride need to update their sound? Absolutely

Do we need them at away games? Unquestionably

Alternate Uniforms? Recruits, Players, and Students love them. Get over it

 

[volspeach]

Right, because the Pride plays Tennessee Waltz while the team runs through the T....

I beg to differ, if anyone would really listen, the band plays Down The Field while the team comes through the T..

GO VOLS..
GO BIG ORANGE ... :rock:

 

[DC Vol]

This is an outrage... an outrage ... that they would cut out the proud tradition of the PotSMD playing the theme from Gladiator. That has been a proud and hallowed tradition over the last 5-10 years.

And the Imperial March from Star Wars! That's a uniquely UT tradition also.

These kids don't want to hear more modern music ... they want to hear a theme from a 13 year old movie half of them probably haven't seen and a Bon Jovi song that most probably struggle to even recognize the tune to.

Livin' on a Prayer is a college football institution. It shouldn't go away just like "Born in the USA" shouldn't go away from political rallies. They just fit.

 

[Jake]

Are you really upset because you wont hear immigrant song or the gladiator theme for the eight millionth time?

As long as the band still does pregame, halftime, and rocky top I really dont see what the big damn deal is.

I say not having the band at away games is a way bigger deal than not hearing those tired old pep tunes that have been played at games since before I got to UT in 1996!!!!

I also say the sh!tty grey uniforms are a bigger fail than this.

But at the end of the day if young idiot players have to have sh!tty grey alternate uniforms and rap music to play better, then I say "give them bread and circus!". We need wins on the football field!

Perhaps they could replace Immigrant Song with Battle of Evermore? That would be badass!!

 

[Manvol]

It happens all the time. We have a make break moment there is a timeout, we need momentum and the band plays the waltz or something...we need something rock n! And to hell with living on a prayer. I'm 44 and it sucks..lets rock the place.

 

[Jake]

It happens all the time. We have a make break moment there is a timeout, we need momentum and the band plays the waltz or something...we need something rock n! And to help with living on a prayer. I'm 44 and it sucks..lets rock the place.

What if they play a canned-EYE OF THE TIGER? Lol

 

[SmokeyX]

I beg to differ, if anyone would really listen, the band plays Down The Field while the team comes through the T..

GO VOLS..
GO BIG ORANGE ... :rock:

Exactly... Perhaps you didn't catch my sarcasm? :ermm:

 

[oregonvol]

This is an outrage... an outrage ... that they would cut out the proud tradition of the PotSMD playing the theme from Gladiator. That has been a proud and hallowed tradition over the last 5-10 years.

And the Imperial March from Star Wars! That's a uniquely UT tradition also.

These kids don't want to hear more modern music ... they want to hear a theme from a 13 year old movie half of them probably haven't seen and a Bon Jovi song that most probably struggle to even recognize the tune to.

Livin' on a Prayer is a college football institution. It shouldn't go away just like "Born in the USA" shouldn't go away from political rallies. They just fit.

Yeah, because the PA would totally be used for modern music and not to bombard us with ads. I mean, that's how capitalism works, right?

 

[MWAVolfan]

Perhaps they could replace Immigrant Song with Battle of Evermore? That would be badass!!

If the damn band would have changed things up over the last 20 years, maybe this wouldn't have happened. Maybe they should have been paying attention to what other bands were playing during away games.

I'm sorry, but immigrant song gets really damn annoying when we are losing football games, which we have done a lot over the last 5 years.

 

[PotS]

Hey guys, this an email circulating through the student body. Enjoy

"Fans,

A battle is upon us and we need your help. The athletics department is trying to cut the band from the stands.

They have recently informed the Pride, which has been a Tennessee tradition for 144 years, that we will be limited in when and what we can play in the stands.

Now instead of hearing classics like the Vol spellout, Living on a Prayer, and Neck you instead listen to "canned" music from the loudspeakers and be subjected to athletic marketing and commercials where you once had live music and cheers.

Now the Pride will really only play when our team scores a touchdown, and that will only be Rocky Top instead of the school's actual fight song Down the Field.

As much as we all love it, is it not a shame that the schools official fight song will not be played and that after Rocky Top has ended you again listen to canned music and watch commercials on the jumbotron?

The athletics department has also limited band travel. That is why there will be no band at Missouri, why there was no band at Oregon, and why there will only be a pep band instead of the whole Pride at Kentucky.

They are wanting to cut band travel so that they can save money. What they do not understand is that by saving this money they are cutting a valuable part of the college gameday experience.

They are also hurting those students of The Pride. Though many may not think we are student athletes, we are on the field practicing at least 5 hours before actual kickoff, we are!

Do these hardworking students not deserve the opportunity to experience this Tennessee Tradition to the fullest?

We are in dire need of your help! Please help us keep this gameday tradition alive and help keep the Pride alive so that future generations can experience this wonderful and prestigious tradition.

This band member also told me that next year there is a chance that they will not be travelling to any away games in order to cut back on expenses.

You can email Dave Hart at athleticdirector@utk.edu and let him know how you feel about his decision.

Thank you and GBO!!!"

Sorry to quote this and take up a large space, but I take issue with several things in this e-mail. Even if it really was generated and disseminated by the current drum major (which I doubt, because of the "this band member also told me.." line).

And to preface, I'm a 4-year Pride alum, '02-'05.

First, there are way too many grammatical errors in this e-mail to be taken seriously.

Second, classics like the VOLS spellout (agree), Livin' on a Prayer and Neck (WTF?). My last year in the Pride was 2005, and we were not playing Livin' on a Prayer or Neck at that point, so what the hell makes them classics? Give me Orange Blossom Special and Jungle Boogie. Or hell, even F Page Fanfare. The Battle (started in 2002) is more of a classic than LoaP or Neck.

And student athletes? Okay, I can semi-buy that. I put more into that 1-hour credit than I did most of my regular classes, but tread lightly with the "athlete" word. Some of the most non-athletic people I've ever met are in the Pride.

And it's been harped repeatedly, so I'll be quick. The pride will still be at the Vol Walk, will still march the stadium, will still Salute the Hill, will still blast Rocky Top pre-game when the team runs out for warm-ups, will still play Down The Field followed by Rocky Top after scores, will still march pregame, will still march half-time, will still sit in the stands, will still play stand-tunes (just not as many -- not that they played that many to begin with. It's been a long-standing issue that they "have" a repertoire of 50 songs, but only play 15 of them).

The not-travelling deal is what I have issue with the most. Take a pep band if you must, but don't leave out the band completely. I want to hear Rocky Top when we score, no matter what stadium we're in.

 

[SmokeyX]

Yeah, because the PA would totally be used for modern music and not to bombard us with ads. I mean, that's how capitalism works, right?

I for one, can't wait for commercials about ice cold coca cola to play over the jumbotron! :crazy:

 

[warreng]

Did anyone hear about the under armor fiasco at the austin peay game?

Hart told sousa they weren't getting new equipment from Adidas. Sousa has to find something for his band, under armour knocks on the door, and gives him a great deal. Warm game. Band sheds layers. Adidas sees it on tv. Adidas is pissed. Hart gets chewed out. Sousa gets chewed out.... Not good in a contract year.

 

[volspeach]

So our band is to be quieted while the visiting band plays on? That's full out doo doo!@ Only thing I've heard over the years is for the Pride to update their music.. and that DJ, well that crap needs to go.. it's turning into Neyland Hood.... :ermm:

GO VOLS..
GO BIG ORANGE ... :rock:

 

[Jake]

If the damn band would have changed things up over the last 20 years, maybe this wouldn't have happened. Maybe they should have been paying attention to what other bands were playing during away games.

I'm sorry, but immigrant song gets really damn annoying when we are losing football games, which we have done a lot over the last 5 years.

I agree...and I was serious. Haha

 

[teamdeke]

For those band nerds griping about cutting the band for certain away games, the reality of it is that most conference teams are cutting back on full band numbers traveling to road games. True Story. You guys are acting like we should be expecting no band, our colors to change to red and black and for the stadium to be renamed Kiffin Memorial. Chill out. A few dozen less renditions of the same three songs will not ruin the Neyland experience. The band will still have their time to shine. It's not like after the Vol Walk everyone will line up to watch 100 DJ booths rolling down Peyton Manning Pass. You can tell this is a bye week we are currently in.

 

[BearCat204]

If the damn band would have changed things up over the last 20 years, maybe this wouldn't have happened. Maybe they should have been paying attention to what other bands were playing during away games.

I'm sorry, but immigrant song gets really damn annoying when we are losing football games, which we have done a lot over the last 5 years.

Funny that you have a problem with the band NOT changing anything, but are having a come apart over a change in uniforms.

 

[branchvol]

Never cared much for bands until my 1st Tennessee game & the pride of south land band is fantastic...