MMB Kickstarter campaign (calling someone who knows who) *fixed

Submitted by Craze for Maize on

There has been a lot of talk on here and twitter about how Brandon is making a mistake. Many of the people I follow on twitter are wanting to donate enough money for the MBB to go. Would anyone that actually knows how, be interested in starting a kickstarter? I know it's a lot to ask (40,000 people at $10 each) , but between here and twitter, we feel it can be accomplished.

Lionsfan

April 19th, 2012 at 8:54 PM ^

I'm guessing the best thing to do would be to wait. Who knows? Maybe with all this backlash then Dave Brandon will reconsider.

Plus setting the precedent of "Hey I know we could easily provide this, but if you want it you're going to have to pay for it" doesn't seem like a great idea to me right now

ijohnb

April 20th, 2012 at 8:57 AM ^

will go.  This is not Dave Brandon being an asshole, it is Dave Brandon simply not realizing how bad of a decision this is before he made it.  I know this sounds far fetched, but Michigan has no chance of winning that game if we don't send the band.  With the band there, it is two storied programs, the Maize and Blue and the Crimson Tide, sharing the spotlight in a colllege football celebration.  If only the Bama band is there, this is going to be an Alabama home game with the entire ESPN universe collectively sucking Bama's balls and M getting ran hard. 

The band has to go.  There will be a "the UM athletic department has decided that the band will travel to Dallas" tweet or statement within two weeks.  Book it.

profitgoblue

April 20th, 2012 at 10:01 AM ^

I think you might be underestimating Brandon.  He is definitely a d-bag (and a corporate raider) but I doubt he's an idiot,  And if he is that too he definitely at least has advisors in his ear telling him how unpopular this decision was going to be before it was announced.  Maybe I'm just a negative person but I have no reason to believe that this was anything but a fully calculated move knowing all of the reprecussions.  Which makes it 1000x worse.

 

jmblue

April 20th, 2012 at 11:27 AM ^

How is he "definitely a d-bag?"  Have you met him? 

What would be the point of planning all along to go without the band?  He scheduled that game to increase our national exposure.  Going there without the band doesn't help that.  The band is part of our program identity.  Not to mention that seating for the band is in the contract for the game.  I think this is simply a brain fart on his part and I'll be surprised if it isn't rectified.

 

LSAClassOf2000

April 19th, 2012 at 9:26 PM ^

....they got a little of this:

I would definitely contribute a little, if that's how it will need to happen, but something in me doesn't think it would come to a privately-funded  excursion. Anything like this would seriously  be a last resort to me, as it should be. It should really NEVER come to this. 

I would much  rather see our esteemed AD have a timely change of heart, of course. In my opinion, the University should foot this bill and, for them, it doesn't seem like it is a stretch. This is a moment where, quite seriously, this IS Michigan - it is one of the few self-sufficient athletic departments in D-1 play.

AAB

April 19th, 2012 at 9:00 PM ^

Dave Brandon should not be able to sell a game for 4.7 million dollars and foist the cost of flying the band down to Dallas off on the fans.

909Dewey

April 19th, 2012 at 9:02 PM ^

I don't think Kickstarter is to be used for this type of thing though I would be down for something similar.  I would pledge $100 - would 3999 others do the same?

 

Also is that GIF above Bob Ritchie?

Feat of Clay

April 20th, 2012 at 8:48 AM ^

Sure, and the mistake is fixed now, but I can't help thinking how much less money we'd have to raise if it were just the basketball team we were talking about.

Which makes me think that another great option would just be to send one flute, one tuba, two guys off the drumline, etc.  Loudest player in each section makes the cut, the the drum major doubles as sound guy, conductor, and cymbals.   Oh, and leave the effing trombonist at home, they are nothing but trouble.

UMxWolverines

April 19th, 2012 at 9:19 PM ^

No. Dave Brandon is going to send the band to Dallas because we are one of the most profitable athletic departments in the country and can afford it. We are going to piss and moan until he gives in.

Schembo

April 19th, 2012 at 9:20 PM ^

Sorry, no thanks.  This is what DB is looking for.  He wants to push the costs onto donors and fans.  The athletic department is not in financial trouble and I'm sure the band would be willing to ride there in buses.  Something will give, but rest assured DB did not schedule the biggest non conference game of the college football season in the national spotlight without the band playing The Victors in mind.

tbeindit

April 19th, 2012 at 9:33 PM ^

I do not care whatsoever about the band going to this game, but if anybody pays it should be the ahtletic department.  If it weren't for their decision, we'd be having a home game for the band here.  I hate these stupid neutral games.  You sign up, you deal with the results

BiSB

April 19th, 2012 at 9:43 PM ^

Eff that. Brandon is effectively saying "I'd rather have $400k than send the band." Responding by saying, "okay, here's $400k" doesn't just absolve him, it REWARDS him.

Our best option at this point is utter petulance. We shall complain like children until DB changes his mind.

Committed

April 19th, 2012 at 10:12 PM ^

I agree with Blue. $400k is NOTHING to a major university like UofM. If Brandon really wanted, he could get the money himself by simply asking for donations.



This is really really goofy on Brandon's part. The biggest game of the year, and we're left looking stupid cuz we can't pony up $400k. I wonder how much money Michigan is making from this game...



This needs to be fixed. If not, Brandon is looking a whole lot like someone who is more interested in $$$. Rather than the best interests of the university.



Don't reward him. Blow up his inbox. Complain. He 'should' be there for the people (doesn't our tuition pay his salary?) . If he isn't, he's not the right leader for the position. Just goes to show you that, you can make all the right moves and one stupid move can put you on your ass. In 5 years we will either forget about all this, or it will be the beginning of the end for brandon. I like the man, but it's a slippery slope if he continues making stupid decisions.

Thorin

April 20th, 2012 at 4:23 AM ^

Eff that. Brandon is effectively saying "I'd rather have $400k than send the band."

Or maybe he's saying he'd rather give Borges a $400K raise than send the band. Brandon did two things this week: one of them will cost the AD about $400K with bonuses if Michigan wins the Big Ten this year, the other saves the AD about $400K. Kind of surprised that nobody here has made this connection yet.

Section 1

April 20th, 2012 at 11:48 AM ^

I'm good with that.  Damn good idea.  Children have earned their place in the storied history of the Michigan Marching Band.  SEND THE BAND TO THE GAME!

bluebyyou

April 19th, 2012 at 10:21 PM ^

I would gladly chip in $10, but the perception that it required alums, etc. to come up with the money to send the MMB to the game could be perceived as a weakness in the university.  Regardless, if that is what is necessary, I would come up with 10 times that amount.

Good God, we have a 7B+ endowment and our AD is scrimping on a few bucks to send our team to the game that will be the most publicized in years.  I normally don't second guessed Brandon, but this has really made me question WTF he is thinking.

Seth

April 19th, 2012 at 10:33 PM ^

Kickstarter doesn't work that way. You need a BUSINESS plan. There are other ways to start a fundraiser but kickstarter isn't one of those. That's for starting a business.

skone82

April 19th, 2012 at 10:52 PM ^

I believe this whole story boils down to 4 potential situations:

1.  Dave Brandon is attempting to gain as much publicity for the game as possible, and will most likely reverse his decision after several major networks pick up the story

2. Dave Brandon had a dream where 200 Noids were dressed up watching the game and he did not want to risk this dream not coming to fruition.

3. Dave Brandon doesn't want our BRAND NEW MASCOT BRAND BRAND to lose it's thunder to the "lame tradition-filled stupid non-piped-in band thingy group."

4.  Dave Brandon thought it was a slow day on MGoBlog, so decided to spice things up a bit

TheGhostofYost

April 19th, 2012 at 10:49 PM ^

I'm sure someone else said this above, but this is exactly what DB wants the fans to do.  Anyone who thinks he's actually not going to send the band down there is nuts.

goblueUM2012

April 19th, 2012 at 10:51 PM ^

Yes I said silly. It's silly and in a way embarrasing. The University of Michigan, leaders and best, Public Ivy, Athletic Powerhouse, B1G Powerhouse, NCAA's all time leader in wins and winning percentage, multi million dollar athletic program...cannot afford to send their marching band to one of the biggest out of conference games of the year? Dumb. Yes that was a run on but it was needed. 

emmygoblue16

April 20th, 2012 at 10:10 AM ^

It's not game day without hearing The Victors!!!!! What a joke!!!! They are making millions off this game and can't fork out a small bit of that to send the band!!!! Very disappointing decision. It's a sad day when money is chosen over Michigans Traditions!!!!!

jamiemac

April 20th, 2012 at 10:32 AM ^

We could probably find some high school band in Fort Worth to play The Victors ad naseum on the cheap. I doubt most would realize the difference, TBH

My money is for my own way down there

I am only partially kidding about hiring a local band, but when you think about it, they just need to know how to play one song after every good play.

Kidding aside, this is a bad sign from Brandon. Either something is really wrong with our finances or this has been an example of some major botched planning