Day 2 Marching Band not going to Dallas RAGE thread

Submitted by UMxWolverines on

Are people still pissed like I am? I hope so, because if not we'll never fully get DB's attention. We have to keep applying the pressure. Keep sending him emails, phonecalls, whatever. 

Perkis-Size Me

April 20th, 2012 at 7:53 PM ^

okay guys, seriously, someone get a hold of stephen ross or another multi-million dollar alumnus. ask them to make a personal donation to the marching band to get them down to dallas. ohio had the same problem back in '06 when they had to go to UT, but someone footed a 250k bill for the band to get down there.

this is michigan, fergodsakes. its not like we don't have the resources. our band NEEDS TO FUCKING BE THERE!!!

Mr. Yost

April 21st, 2012 at 9:33 AM ^

I WISH I was living in a hole recently so I didn't have to hear the complaining over this topic that has been beat to death and exaggerated beyond belief.

In case you haven't been keeping count - here you go:

1. Trayvon Martin story

2. Michigan not sending its Marching Band to Dallas

3. Election 2012

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9. Bobby Petrino saga

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17. Secret Service/Prostituates story

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143. Anything actually related to the Michigan football TEAM (ie: Players, Coaches, Staff)

 

cozy200

April 20th, 2012 at 8:08 PM ^

My fire is still red hot! And no donors should have to shell out cash they earned. DB needs to use the money he was GIVEN. Remember no "brand" is invincible "lehman brothers". You can only give and TAKE so much in this world.

Waters Demos

April 21st, 2012 at 8:59 AM ^

The note he left was signed "Old Father Thames" - it seems he's drowned.

EDIT: Changed my mind.  OMG and CTB have broken me out of my prejudice. 

This is significant - some guy on the internet with no M-affiliation just changed his mind.

ClearEyesFullHart

April 21st, 2012 at 3:56 AM ^

You guys can't come up with something better to cry about? What about the crappy overpriced pizza? Now there is a cause worth fighting for...

U Fer M

April 21st, 2012 at 7:05 AM ^

This isn't just some average everyday away game during the nonconference "preseason" against Baby Seal U. This is opening day against the defending Nat Champs on a national stage. Kind of a big deal. If Bama does send their band then Michigan will look cheap.

Normal nonconference away game, fine, no band. Seems to me though that this was put on the schedule to show the country that Michigan is back. Gota have the band!

chitownblue2

April 21st, 2012 at 7:51 AM ^

From what I can tell, the AD does not, and has not paid for the band to go to away games in the past - the band picks up it's own expense.

If that's the case, this solution seems simple: if the band, an organization with it's own well-publicized and well-organized fundraising arm, wants to go to Dallas, they can pay for it, like they do for every other game that doesn't take place on campus. This isn't a home game, those occur on campus and don't require expense to attend. There is no precedent at Michigan, or anywhere for this sort of expense for a band trip. If you can't understand why Alabama would have theirs, I'd suggest you look at a map, then ask if the band getting a charter paid.

You have a vast alumni network, band. You have an easy to find fundraising website. Get fundraising, and maybe you can reduce the price tag to a degree the AD will do a favor. We like to say we are better than OSU - well, in 2006, faced with a similar situation, the Buckeyes reaped $250k in donations, which prompted the AD to give the rest.

Like anything, the money the AD would use for this will be spent elsewhere - if nothing else, most of their budget surplus generally goes as a donation to the University's General Scholarship Fund. If your argument is that a trip to Dallas is worth more than $400-$500k in scholarships to normal students, it's an argument I disagree with.

Regardless, this will be a Michigan football game - I've enjoyed many the band hasn't attended. Even on TV.

This, and the wall Rodriguez faced when he showed up are examples of the degree to which Michigan Athletics is a firing squad of special interests, with vocal minorities against night games, conference expansion, divisional alignment, music on the PA, and even the renovation. I don't envy Brandon, we can do nothing without someone feeling aggrieved.

mvp

April 21st, 2012 at 8:23 AM ^

The band will do that right after everyone starts paying a "band surcharge" for every football ticket they buy.  $20 per ticket per game should do it.

The kids who are in the band give up 15 - 25 hours per week (including off weeks) during the fall; they give up a good portion of their holiday break for bowl games, and they share (for free) their incomparable talent.  And with a few token exceptions (facilitated NOT through the University or the Athltetic Department, but through the FUNDRAISING you mention) they don't do it for any sort of scholarship.

In addition to the few small scholarships that are given, the band has to pay for directors, staff, uniforms, instruments, music, equipment, insurance, etc.  Most of what makes the band look and sound so good and uniform and consistent IS in fact, private fundraising.

I agree that not everyone values the band the same, but to suggest that they are just a "special interest" is to truly undermine the effort and committment of these kids.

chitownblue2

April 21st, 2012 at 1:09 PM ^

I dont question the hard work, dedication, or skill it takes to be in the band. I love the band, and think they are an integral part of game day in Ann Arbor.

I don't accept that the AD, which has no financial relationship to the band, is obligated to charter two jets to send them to Dallas. Would I prefer to seem them there? Yes. Would I assume they go, and scream and cry when they don't? No.

And I'm sorry, a group of 150 people throwing a hissy that they dont get a $400k vacation to see a football game is the very definition of a special interest group. Thats 400k less that gies in the scholarship fund.

mvp

April 21st, 2012 at 9:16 PM ^

It isn't really the band that seems to be throwing the hissy -- it is a bunch of people that *LIKE* the band.  And for Dave "the Brand" Brandon, isn't the MMB a significant part of the brand and therefore something the AD should facilitate.  Not every time, but this time.  IMHO, of course.

bluewave720

April 21st, 2012 at 8:03 AM ^

I wasn't in the band, but I have always felt as though they are the closest relative of the living entity that is the football team.  Making the decision because of money, although probably the "right play" from an administrative standpoint, still seems very wrong to me.  

I want to DB to look at our financial situation and be like "screw it, we're Michigan, we can swing it."

Old_Guys_Rule

April 21st, 2012 at 9:49 AM ^

The game could rival last year's Notre Dame/Michigan night game in it's spectacle.  It's the 1st week of the season, Alabama's first game following its National Championship, probably ESPN's Game Day telecast, resurgent Michigan ranked in the top 10, neutral site, prime time, national telecast, Alabama's rabid fans, Michigan's rabid fans, Alabama's Marching Band.  What's lacking?  #SendtheBand

Alumnus93

April 21st, 2012 at 10:54 AM ^

Can someone give me a rough cost breakdown on the $500,000 please?    Im not seeing why it costs so much to get a bunch of buses to and fro, with lodging for two days. Maybe I don't realize how many band members there are or how many buses and rooms needed, and the costs of each, but I'd like to see it on paper.

By the way, I totally back Brandon on this. That 500K saved, some of it can go to the Music school, and the rest banked for the athletic program. Its a necessary decision and am happy Brandon has the discpline to do so.  Now, the ridiculous jerseys he chose for the ND game, is another story.