UTAD cutting band funding/involvement? (Merged)

[SmokeyX]

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.

Just to clear the issue up. This email was not written by the drum major. It is being circulated through the student body via social media.

The drum major did, however, write the petition that is currently on change.org

 

[Manvol]

Everyone one remember that classic half time just a few years ago, "how much is that doggie in the window?" Yeah I almost thru up

 

[oregonvol]

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.

Yeah, the not-traveling thing is the biggest joke. We're a major program. People are paying major program prices. You should be able to send your band to away games.

 

[Jake]

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.

Exactly...

 

[volspeach]

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

Hold on let me listen!

Caught it!!!!! Cut me some slack please, just woke up.. LOL LOL

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

 

[MWAVolfan]

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

Are you seriously comparing changing stupid pep songs to changing our uniform and selling out like Oregon? Really?

 

[GAVol]

Yeah, the not-traveling thing is the biggest joke. We're a major program. People are paying major program prices. You should be able to send your band to away games.

Georgia sent about a 30 man Pep Band last week to Knoxville.

 

[DD4ME]

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.

This. If the center piece to your argument is maintaining living on a prayer to your repertoire you've already lost.

 

[jordan4vols]

people get a grip. They are not going to cancel running through the T or the pregame tradition that is not what is being discussed and anybody who tells you that does not know what they're talking about. We're talking about maybe having the song jump around play a little bit more like they did against Georgia instead of living on a prayer which I am completely fine with

 

[BearCat204]

Are you seriously comparing changing stupid pep songs to changing our uniform and selling out like Oregon? Really?

Selling out???? You mean adding one tasteful alternate uniform worn once in a season? We are no where near the level of selling out as Oregon is.

I agree with your point on the band needing to add new stuff, it has been very repetitive over the last 20 or so years.

 

[DD4ME]

We need a living on a prayer poll....

Also I believe this "stunt" by the band is counterproductive to what they should be focused on: putting a good product on.

 

[PotS]

Georgia sent about a 30 man Pep Band last week to Knoxville.

Even back in my day, it was unusual that we sent the full band to as many places as we did. Most bands around the country don't travel like the SEC does, and even most SEC bands don't go full-band to all the away games -- just 1 or 2 big ones.

I would much rather send a pep band to all away games than to not have any band at 2 (or more) away games, especially in years where we only have 4 true road games (Kentucky doesn't count. It's a 3-hour bus ride).

 

[WVU05UT09]

Most other universities do not fund away game travel expenses out of the athletic department. The bands are usually responsible for doing it themselves.

At West Virginia University an account has been setup with the WVU Foundation called the "Pride of West Virginia Travel Fund" where individuals can make donations for away game trips. Last year they received enough money to send the band to the Maryland game in Baltimore and to Norman, OK for the OU game.

The music in the stands is another issue altogether, but what's happening with your travel budget was really just an added perk that most other places didn't have.

 

[orangeluvr]

If the AD new how to negotiate coaching contracts there would be no money issues, paying coaches millions of dollars for failure just doesn't balance the books. :disappointed: :idea:

 

[TnTech_Vol]

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!!!"

I call BS on this so called email from student body. They can't sell out the student section, but they're worried about the band. Come on man...

 

[DynamiteMcGhee]

we need momentum and the band plays the waltz or something

That actually never happens.

 

[JCP201]

We need a living on a prayer poll....

Also I believe this "stunt" by the band is counterproductive to what they should be focused on: putting a good product on.

I did get alarmed thinking that they were getting rid of the pregame stuff, and Rockytop.

I'm fine with the canned music during the game. I'm sure the players prefer that then old 80's music.

 

[volspeach]

Everyone one remember that classic half time just a few years ago, "how much is that doggie in the window?" Yeah I almost thru up

It was appropriate considering Patti Page was the guest singer.. the entire halftime show wasn't about Doggie in the Window.. seems people would be happy to have seen the legend herself sing.. She has since passed away, and I for one enjoyed hearing her..

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

 

[DynamiteMcGhee]

It was appropriate considering Patti Page was the guest singer.. the entire halftime show wasn't about Doggie in the Window.. seems people would be happy to have seen the legend herself sing.. She has since passed away, and I for one enjoyed hearing her..

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

I enjoyed and will always treasure getting to play the Tennessee Waltz with her. Most people are going to remember Doggie In The Window and totally ignore we played the Waltz right after it.

 

[volspeach]

I've an idea, let everyone who, in the past, has complained about the Pride, coaching & team, let them form the band and do it all... :crazy:

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

 

[Oskie Volum]

They r just wanting to play the popular boy/girl band or ghetto rap songs of the time through the PA system so the players can jump around thug style on the sidelines and just think about this....cheerleaders twerking in the endzone after a touchdown instead of doing push-ups. Hey I'm sure we can get Miley Cyrus pretty cheap in a few yrs, and we can throw a coon skin cap on her and maybe a skimpy Davey crocket style outfit. Vary nice!! Smh
Posted via VolNation Mobile

 

[crusse10]

I could be wrong, but I think the band performs a new show just about every week and that is no small feat. "Learn these four new songs and these few hundres steps in a few days." That takes up the large majority of their time I would think. I'm not disagreeing with your point because it is valid. But that would obviously take a small change in priorities. I'm honestly on the fence on this one. I would like to have some newer music to get the crowd going. But a Tennessee game is just not the same with out the Pride of the South Land in attendance, even if it's on the moon!

Well I was in the band for 4 years, so I'm gonna take the side of "there's time to pull this off"

 

[Vol737]

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.

Why, why, why do these clowns (Hart/Cheek) at the top of the University food chain NOT seem to be able to find their @$$ with both hands? I don't mind pumping in a little Top 40 music to get the players/crowd into it, but to relegate the Pride to such a minimal role is absurd. 100,000 fans should simply "boo" so loud during jumbotron commercials it just drowns out any message they're trying to get across.

 

[volspeach]

I enjoyed and will always treasure getting to play the Tennessee Waltz with her. Most people are going to remember Doggie In The Window and totally ignore we played the Waltz right after it.

Exactly!!!!!!!!!! I actually had tears in my eyes when she sang Tennessee Waltz, to me that was a once in a lifetime thing..

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

 

[GAVol]

I enjoyed and will always treasure getting to play the Tennessee Waltz with her. Most people are going to remember Doggie In The Window and totally ignore we played the Waltz right after it.

The doggie thing was kind of ridiculous, but I agree about the Waltz.

Now . . . The Wizard of Oz thing a few years ago . . . :shakehead: