Band Not Going To Dallas Comment Count

Brian

scientist[1]

Dave Brandon creates the future: the tag: the picture

The Michigan Marching Band has been informed that they won't be going to Dallas, presumably because it puts a dent in the pile of money Michigan will get by selling a home game. Sorry, people who bought tickets. Yes, seats for the band are in the contract. Yes, you've been duped. No, you can't get a refund unless you pay $500 to get on the refund waiting list.

Think about that as you look at a home schedule on which Michigan State is the featured attraction. Dave Brandon couldn't even get the Nebraska game to not be on the road in the same year OSU and ND are. He sold a home game to Jerry Jones because it sounded like a lot of money, then we found out that because the minimum ticket price was $125 he could have scheduled a home and home instead. Jerry Jones is probably laughing his ass off somewhere.

Anyway. I think we should start a Dave Brandon for Governor fund. I'd vote for him! With no ulterior motives whatsoever! #DB4MGov!

Comments

MAgoBLUE

April 19th, 2012 at 9:11 PM ^

They have that giant hd video screen there in Jerry World. What if they pipe the band in via satellite? They could sell the naming rights. Popeyes Chicken is proud to present the Michigan Marching Band live from an empty Big House. Save money, expand the brand, that's what businessmen call a win-win.

Indiana Blue

April 19th, 2012 at 9:35 PM ^

the count on DB is no balls and 2 strikes.  

Strike 1 was taking away a home game to travel to a neutral site to play Alabama.  Penn State just finished a home and home with Alabama ... I would guess that over 90% of Michigan fans would have preferred a home and home seriers. 

Strike 2 is now the attempt to justify not having the MMB go this "huge" game that DB scheduled ????   

$400K ... sounds to me like Mary Sue shoud simply reduce DB's pay in 2012 by $400K.  There ... band trip to Dallas is now paid for !

Go Blue!

Mr. Yost

April 20th, 2012 at 11:42 AM ^

When you've already hit multiple home runs and the game is far from over?

Hoke hire: Home Run

Finishing Michigan Stadium Renovations: Home Run

Handling PR nightmare from NCAA violations: Home Run

Big Chill @ Big House: Home Run

New Basketball Center: Home Run

ND Night Game: Home Run

 

...is Brandon the only one responsible for those? No. But is he the only one making the decision about not bringing the band? No.

So using your same analogy...Dave Brandon has knocked 6 balls out of the park and you guys are pissy because he's down 0-2 in his next at bat? Wow.

Mr. Yost

April 20th, 2012 at 12:13 PM ^

I'm sorry, but I'm not going to get bent out of shape when you've already hit multiple home runs in the game and the game isn't close to over...

Hoke hire: Home Run

Finishing Michigan Stadium Renovations: Home Run

Handling PR nightmare from NCAA violations: Home Run

Big Chill @ Big House: Home Run

New Basketball Center: Home Run

ND Night Game: Home Run

 

...is Brandon the only one responsible for those? No. But is he the only one making the decision about not bringing the band? No.

So using your same analogy...Dave Brandon has knocked 6 balls out of the park and you guys are pissy because he's down 0-2 in his next at bat? Wow.

cjgrape

April 19th, 2012 at 9:40 PM ^

In 1980, the band was not sent to the Notre Dame game. We lost it on the last-second miracle field goal. The next week at a pep rally on the steps of Rackham Auditorium, Bo stood before the crowd--his jaw jutted out in that defiant way--and spit out the words, "The next time I go into a war, I want my band with me!!!" Send the MMB to Dallas when Michigan HOSTS Alabama! The Team, the Team, the Team!

MMBbones

April 19th, 2012 at 10:06 PM ^

I love your sentiment, I love the band, but....

Bo hired a professional band to play The Victors at the early rounds of basketball tournament games instead of bringing the M BB band. Bo would have done what made financial sense. He wasn't terribly nostalgic. I love watching the band play anywhere, but let's not appeal to Bo on this one.

HollywoodHokeHogan

April 19th, 2012 at 10:03 PM ^

"who gives a shit?", but apparently a whole bunch of people do.  Is it really not that bothersome that the band isn't at all our in conference away games, but a freak out event when they aren't at a neutral site game?   

dragonchild

April 19th, 2012 at 10:52 PM ^

The band, and people who care about the band, are A-OK with the band not being at every road game.

We're pissed because there were real plans to send them, and they got nixed for BS reasons.

You tell the team and fans the band is going with them and then say, "oops, sorry, costs too much" while sitting on an $11 million pile of money, people are gonna be pissed you broke your promise, VERY pissed it's for no good reason and EXTREMELY pissed that you're flat-out lying about it.

Bodogblog

April 19th, 2012 at 11:26 PM ^

*probably

It's impossible to prove, but I'd bet 90% of the "OUTRAGED!!!" knew nothing about the band's typical road schedule. They probably thought the band went everywhere. Looks like they actually go to MSU, Ohio, ND, and the bowl game. So two or three games a year, and all except the bowl game are a bus ride.

The better question here: why would anyone think this year's band would get special treatment? And enough with that contract nonsense, none of you had any idea that was in there.

dragonchild

April 19th, 2012 at 11:40 PM ^

But if you're gonna go there, you can't speak for them either.  FWIW, I was in the band so I know pretty well what the road schedule (or lack thereof) is like.

"why would anyone think this year's band would get special treatment?"

Because it was in the contract?  I'm not complaining that I never got to go to a road game outside the Midwest.  But the band can be rather "gung ho" about its duty.  Honestly, Dallas sucks.  But if you're told there were plans to send you somewhere and then you're dropped off those plans like you don't matter, you get insulted.  It doesn't matter if "there" is Detroit or Dallas.  If you hear you were supposed to go, you want to go.  At least, that's the way we saw it when I marched.

"And enough with that contract nonsense, none of you had any idea that was in there."

No we didn't.  I read the whole story all at once, and given the facts at hand I'm pissed they were in the contract and now are getting written off.  I wasn't aware there was some unspoken rule that I had to know some part of the story in advance of others.

a2bluefan

April 19th, 2012 at 10:05 PM ^

I lost all my points when I told someone who posted an offensive remark where to go and what he could do to himself.

Damn, I wish I'd saved that for Dave Brandon...

uncleFred

April 19th, 2012 at 10:43 PM ^

Wrong, Wrong, Wrong! My brother played in the MMB. I understand the level of commitment required of the band. They should be there.  If this was Brandon's decision, you must ask what is he thinking. 

Hello???? Playing the current BCS championship team, in a venue that will get massive media coverage, and you don't send the best college marching band in the country? Boggles the mind. Words, like Brandon, fail

 

AMazinBlue

April 19th, 2012 at 10:48 PM ^

Mr. Brandon,

 

I am a proud season ticket holder, my father and uncle are proud alums of the University of Michigan.  My family has had seats in Michigan Stadium since 1956. 

 

You sir, have sold out the tradition, pride and everything that Michigan stands for.  You jack up the prices for a bunch of nothing home games, sell the fanbase a bill of goods to play Alabama at Texas Stadium.  And now you take away the the singular most recognizable piece of the vocal fanbase by choosing to not send the marching band to the game.  Don't you dare tell me it costs too much!  Al Glick and many large donors gave over $250M for the new structures at the stadium and the practice facility.  He GAVE you the steel to build up the stadium!  And you are now crying about the $$ to send the band to Texas Stadium to play the toughest game Michigan has played in 10 years.

 

You are not being a good steward of the program!  The MMB is an integral part of the Michigan football experience.  With the band and The Victors, there will not be much to fire up the Michigan faithful at the game.  I am said to say you have basically sealed the fate of the team in this all-important game.  You just made it a PURE ROAD GAME!  Alabama now has every advantage. 

 

I was on the fence about continuing to purchase season tickets due to the outrageous pricing.  I am no longer on the fence.  This will be the last season you will get my money.  You are driving the real, the passionate Michigan fans out of Michigan Stadium with your greed-driven schemes.  Good luck filling the stadium in the future.  The residents of this fine state can no longer afford to pay these prices.

 

I can root for my Michigan from my living room after this season.

 

Sincerely ANGRY,

 

And, yes I signed my full name in the email.

Mr. Yost

April 20th, 2012 at 11:47 AM ^

OMG THE OUTRAGE!

One game! No Band!!

AHHH THE HORROR!!

 

The Huma said..."is this the hill to die on?" This is REALLY what you guys want to go crazy over? Not advertising in the stadium. Not a coach that is disrespectful to the program. Not limiting the band to a halftime show and that's it because they want to pipe in music all game? Not to every home game being a night game?

This? This is what you want to be bent out of shape over?

Go for it. Like Huma said, thanks for the seats, bro.

WolverineRage

April 19th, 2012 at 10:52 PM ^

The pimp hand giveth & the pimp hand taketh away.

I heard it described as extortion since they will likely get there on the dimes of upset, rich fans who will open their pocket books.

I contend the band refused to travel with a mascot and/or have a hashtag emblazoned on their uni's and this is the result.

TrppWlbrnID

April 19th, 2012 at 11:23 PM ^

Game played in ad filled, ADD inducing, corporate suite addled stadium - check!

No marching band - check!

Rural exurb parking lot setting- check!



So, let's just go to 2 feet inbounds for a catch, 12 minute half time, and narrower field goal posts as this is just another bland nfl game.



It's not like michigan's fight song is a huge part of the university's identity and BRAND or anything.

M-Dog

April 20th, 2012 at 12:51 AM ^

This goes beyond the band at an away game (home game?  bowl game?  whatever the hell it is).

This goes to trust.  This is the real reason this thing is blowing up.

It really, really bothers me that I no longer think I can trust anything Dave Brandon says.  You lose me, not when I don't believe what you are saying, but when I don't believe you believe what you are saying.

That's where I now am with DB.  Everything is just spin, even when it does not need to be.  It's become a habit.  No matter what you hear, you always believe there is something else really going on.

It would trouble me immensely as a professional If people felt they could not trust me.   

genericmichiganfan

April 20th, 2012 at 1:32 AM ^

This has been a running theme with DB since he became AD. Just look at the jerseys last year. He said it'd be a one-time thing to change the jerseys, and we ended up with how many different unis last year? Five by the end of the season. Frankly, I never trust anything he says. He's proven to be a liar to the fan base, as we are now seeing yet again.

M-Dog

April 20th, 2012 at 1:58 AM ^

You gotta wonder why he thinks it's necessary.

He should just man up and say:  "It costs a lot to have elite athletics at Michigan.  You fans and the players like top-grade facilities . . . they cost a lot of money.   You fans and the players like top-notch coaches . . . they cost a lot of money.  So I go for the money.  That's my background.  It's what I do.

I recognize that sometimes I'll go too far.  I have a tendency to shoot that 'ole marketing cannon at anything that moves.  Sometimes I'll get a big hit like UTL, sometimes I'll fratricide my own team with Uniformz. 

That's where you fans and alumni come in . . . to keep me in check."

Say it, Dave.

Vasav

April 20th, 2012 at 4:56 AM ^

I was disheartened to hear about the recent decision to not allow the band to travel to the Alabama game in Dallas. Knowing that our athletic department consistently operates in the black, and seeing the recent increases in ticket prices and the development of season ticket "licenses," I am beginning to wonder if there is a need for me to contribute to the athletic department on an annual basis as I've been doing.

My foremost goal in contributing is to graduate student athletes - but there is something that makes Michigan special, and the athletic department seems to be ignoring that specialness with their recent moves. I'm disheartened to see gimmicky uniforms and talk of a mascot in order to raise the bottom line. I'm puzzled by the decision to pipe in music during a game and ruin the classic gameday experience - I don't even know how that helps the bottom line. I am disappointed by the recent pricing initiatives that seem more geared to increasing the bottom line than to filling the stadium and giving everyone an enjoyable experience. I thought the addition of stadium suites was meant to alleviate the pricing pressures on the majority of Michigan fans, while allowing a small minority of fans to pay for a unique experience?

And then this latest bit on the Alabama game. I was originally excited to hear we would be playing 'Bama, but disappointed we wouldn't get the classic experience of visiting another campus in a home-and-home series. I was even more disappointed to hear that we'd pay a minimum of $125 for a ticket to the game. And frankly, I'm angry and annoyed that the band is not being allowed to travel to save operational costs - when their seats are written into the agreement to play in Cowboys' stadium.

This move removes a competitive advantage on the field, kills the gameday experience for the fans, and is generally in line with the recent moves by the Athletic Department to solely focus on the bottom line, while completely ignoring the fans' experience, the student athlete's experience, and Michigan tradition. I urge you to reconsider this move, and I promise you that if I see more "cost saving measures," I will take that as a sign that the Athletic Department is less reliant on my contributions - in terms of donations, and apparel purchases. I'll still go to the stadium and wear maize and blue - but I'm sure I can get a 3-pack of hanes yellow t's from Meijer

might and main

April 20th, 2012 at 8:00 AM ^

more green. This is an embarrassment to the University.

And I love Ablauf's justification, which you know came from on-high: "we've never done it before." Oh, OK then, that makes perfect sense. It's not like they're doing all kinds of other things that they've never done before. Now, if they start having night games, parachutists, piped in music, jersey patches, 'throw-back' uni's, helmet numbers, etc., then they might have a problem trying to justify bad decisions by saying "we've never done it before."

Brandon looks like a fool. Might as well start calling him "Ca-ching!"

ThoseWhoStayUofM

April 20th, 2012 at 8:42 AM ^

Remember when Dave Brandon did his coaching search after Rich Rod was fired?  Dave reminisced about how he had to send empty private jets to remote locations just to trick media reporters into thinking he was going somewhere he was not.  Think about that for a second.  Dave Brandon paid for private jets to transport absolutely nothing for the sake of media reports.  This same man, on the other hand, refuses to fly the marching band to the most media-hyped non-conference game in Michigan history?  Please explain this logic!

There have been people asking, "Why are we hearing about this now?!?!?"

Dave Brandon knows what he is doing.  He's not an idiot.  What happened recently that would have been a disaster if this news came prior to the event?  The Spring Game.  I was there, sitting in the stands, and I saw Dave Brandon walking up the isle next to the section I was sitting in.  He was taking pictures, shaking hands, kissing babies (ok, not really but you get the point).  Would that have been the case if he had released the news that the marching band was getting stiffed?  Probably not.  People would be going up to him, not to shake his hand, but to ask about the band.  Frankly, he would have the address the situation.  He couldn't announce this news immediately after the Spring Game, because then it would be intuitively obvious that he was deceiving people... waiting for the right moment.  So instead, he waits 5 days after the Spring Game to deliver the news.  The timing makes perfect sense to me.



 

HW_Blue

April 20th, 2012 at 9:26 AM ^

Are we really naive enough to think that DB didn't factor this cost into the budget when negotiating the event?

No, it's extortion. DB knew that the fanbase would be outraged and donors will step forward to save the day, saving him $400k from his precious budget.

profitgoblue

April 20th, 2012 at 10:35 AM ^

Its one thing to make the decision not to bring the band to the "home" game in the first place.  Its a completely other to do so with the idea that someone else will step up and fund the transaction.  If Brandon really thinks this way he's an even bigger snake than I now believe him to be. 

 

LightTheLamp

April 20th, 2012 at 10:06 AM ^

Since DB is all about the $$ I will give him the easiest way to make more money:

1) Student section: Get rid of it they clearly are undercharged for ticket prices and don't have a PSD

2) Band seats and Scholarships, Get rid of those as well clearly lost revenue

3) Send minions out to charge for street parking in AA

4) Insert Ferret Mascot, revenue from Stuffed little mascots

5) We have Bball PSD's why not Baseball and Softball PSD's as well

6) Arby's logo on the field and maybe a Budweiser Logo on the Jerseys

 

LightTheLamp

April 20th, 2012 at 10:06 AM ^

Since DB is all about the $$ I will give him the easiest way to make more money:

1) Student section: Get rid of it they clearly are undercharged for ticket prices and don't have a PSD

2) Band seats and Scholarships, Get rid of those as well clearly lost revenue

3) Send minions out to charge for street parking in AA

4) Insert Ferret Mascot, revenue from Stuffed little mascots

5) We have Bball PSD's why not Baseball and Softball PSD's as well

6) Arby's logo on the field and maybe a Budweiser Logo on the Jerseys

 

JustGoBlue

April 20th, 2012 at 10:21 AM ^

The band doesn't get scholarships.  Or at least nothing from the AD.  There are a few small scholarships funded by MMB alumni, but most of them do it for nothing but love of the MMB/Michigan football/what-have-you.

Actually, it looks like they pay $125 to be in band (but to the University, not the AD, it's a lab fee) http://www.ro.umich.edu/tuition/classfees/fa12.php   ENS 348, it IS a 2-credit class, so they get those.

Onas

April 20th, 2012 at 11:28 AM ^

The credits didn't use to count for anything though. Only one of them (total, in four years) could be applied toward a degree requirement, though they always helped the GPA. This was in the Engineering school.

Rasmus

April 20th, 2012 at 10:58 AM ^

Sorry, I'm sure this has come up already, but what are they going to do about Hail to the Victors? Play a recording? Who decides when to play it? Has Brandon addressed this?

I mean, it is supposed to be a neutral site game. Not having the band there makes it more of an away game than it already is.

Roachgoblue

April 20th, 2012 at 11:21 AM ^

He has increased our team goals realistically back to the top. He chose an unpopular coach. He is making Michigan a marketing masterpiece. Quit your senseless knitpicking! Its a flipping band, and if we lose because the band didn't come then we suck. Go blue and beat 28 time champ bama.

BlueTuesday

April 20th, 2012 at 4:02 PM ^

Teams that bring their band on the road are 4 times as likely to win than teams that do not....

Okay, I just made that up. But I'm positive having the band there has to help, considering bama is bringing theirs.

Atlanta_Blue

April 20th, 2012 at 11:33 AM ^

Maybe I'm not the first to sugegst this - I did not read through all the pages of comments - but I think Brandon is sandbagging us, folks.  Wait until Absopure/Alro Steel/Dominos/Rotel or whatever other corporation swoops in to sponsor the band's trip to Dallas.  They will be heroes and adored by the Michigan fan base. 

Mr. Yost

April 20th, 2012 at 11:59 AM ^

NOT THE BAND!!!

THE OUTRAGE!!!

Here's a thought for our noble posters/season ticket holders. How about YOU raise the money to send the band? Don't pay for tickets this year, donate blood, have a garage sale...whatever. Then you'll really be the hero and we can turn this story into a positive!  ANNND David Brandon looks even WORSE!  It

 

Or you can sit and complain on MGoBlog about something that you feel so strongly about...

You all could be doing something positive rather than freaking out like this guy:

 

 

 

 

InterM

April 20th, 2012 at 12:50 PM ^

Since you've now made the same point in 4 or 5 posts, maybe a response is in order.  While some admittedly have gone overboard, my general sense from this thread is that a lot of folks disagree with the decision not to bring the MMB to the game in Dallas, and also believe that DB was a bit dishonest in the disclosure of this decision.  The fact that a lot of people feel that way does not mean that we view this as a problem on the scale of poverty, hunger, or war, nor does it mean that we are mindlessly parroting Brian's views on this subject.  With that understood, carry on . . . .

M-Dog

April 20th, 2012 at 1:42 PM ^

Why create a fake bowl game in Dallas, complete with a payout like a bowl game , and then whine that it consumes resources like a bowl game? 

Don't start no stuff, won't be no stuff.