Anderson Arena Cheering

bgmaggot00 · Post by **bgmaggot00** » Wed Jan 17, 2007 4:17 am

Hey. Just thought that I'd let you in on a post of this same name on the Men's Basketball forum. You can find it here: http://www.ay-ziggy-zoomba.com/phpBB2/v ... sc&start=0
There are a small handful (note: NOT the majority) of people who are pointing blame at the band for not cheering enough at the games. Not having been to any games this year, I can't vouch for anything, but me thinks that if the team were putting out a product worth getting excited about, that band would get excited. Personally, I'm not one for faking excitement. If my team is getting demolished, I don't cheer. I just sit and take it. OK, I'm rambling again. Bye!

BGDrew · Post by **BGDrew** » Wed Jan 17, 2007 6:51 am

As a non-bando, I have a small opinion on this....

I was down at the Ohio Hockey Classic and watched a bit of the OSU/Miami championship game. The OSU A-Band was there and I've never seen a collegiate band get so into a hockey game. They had cadences, cheers, and was generally very excited to be there and take part. When I go to our hockey games there is a sense of the band being "forced" to be there. I don't know if this is something that's happened from the top-to-bottom, but it seems like if you show enthusiasm in the band you're looked down on.

Flame away.

Bleeding Orange · Post by **Bleeding Orange** » Thu Jan 18, 2007 4:58 am

BGDrew wrote:As a non-bando, I have a small opinion on this....

I was down at the Ohio Hockey Classic and watched a bit of the OSU/Miami championship game. The OSU A-Band was there and I've never seen a collegiate band get so into a hockey game. They had cadences, cheers, and was generally very excited to be there and take part. When I go to our hockey games there is a sense of the band being "forced" to be there. I don't know if this is something that's happened from the top-to-bottom, but it seems like if you show enthusiasm in the band you're looked down on.

Flame away.

I'll back you up here, Drew, and share the heat.

goofyeuph · Post by **goofyeuph** » Thu Jan 18, 2007 6:12 am

I'm not sure how much heat you're going to get exactly, since for the most part from my experience, that's true.

I haven't seen the band this year at a Basketball game (a problem I need to fix my next trip to campus) and only a couple of times at Hockey games, but things don't seem to have changed too much since I left BG. For whatever reason the enthusiasm and pride that is present in the FMB doesn't make the transition to the winter and A-Band. I did it for two years and I can't explain it. I have a couple of theories (and my former bandmates will probably kill me next chance they get, oh well).

1st) A-Band is looked at and approached as a sit down ensemble, not for what it is; a spirit organization. (I could make some reference to the 'edu-tainment' speech from Drumline, but I won't) That doesn't appeal to a lot of people. It didn't appeal to me when I was in it, and it doesn't appeal to several of my friends.

2nd) The ratio of those you 'have' to be there (credit, $$$, greek requirements et al) to those who truly want to be there is much higher than in Marching Band. I'm not saying any of those reasons are bad. The only reason I tired out for a 3rd year was because of the money. And I'm not flaming KKPsi or TBS. They are both great organizations that allow the band half of the CMA to operate. However, when these outside interests start to interfere with the purpose and overall effectiveness of the ensemble, it becomes a problem.

3rd (and this one I probably will catch hell for) Dr H is very VERY high on having her ensembles be a "Class Act". Now this is a good thing. Being considered classy is great. However in her strive to achieve this goal, she has become so conservative and has the membership so scared that they don't show the level of school spirit that most do while not in uniform.

4th) It's hard to get excited for a game that sucks. Add onto the above mentioned theories and, well you get the idea.

Ok, that's my perspective as a former member of the A-Band, as a former student who wasn't in A-Band, and as an Alumni coming back. I don't the next time I'm going to be back in town, but I'll let ya'll know so you can have the torches and pitchforks ready. Sorry all. I didn't mean to write a book here either.

The Niz · Post by **The Niz** » Thu Jan 18, 2007 7:14 am

goofyeuph wrote: 3rd (and this one I probably will catch hell for) Dr H is very VERY high on having her ensembles be a "Class Act". Now this is a good thing. Being considered classy is great. However in her strive to achieve this goal, she has become so conservative and has the membership so scared that they don't show the level of school spirit that most do while not in uniform.

This my friend, is my reasoning for not participating in A-band. As many people know, I have a VERY difficult time keeping my mouth shut. I do manage to keep it tamed until football season has ended, but that's only because I can let it out for three or four months afterward. I do know a couple of members of a certain section who may be pushing far a change in the ensemble since this topic has come up however.

SaxyIrishTenor · Post by **SaxyIrishTenor** » Thu Jan 18, 2007 6:13 pm

Everyone knows I yell my ass off no matter where I am sitting, but in the ice arena they have us so far up in the middle of nowhere and there are so many regulations on what we can and can't do, by the ADept and others, that it makes it hard for many to get into the games.

Plus since it's a paid group, you now have people there for the money and for no other reason. This was an objection I had from the beginning, because there are now people who tried out and wanted to play and cheer, as opposed to play and get paid, who are not in the group.

Though I will say that I don't recall it being such an issue when I was there. The level of enthusiasm might have declined since I graduated.

Falconfliccbone · Post by **Falconfliccbone** » Thu Jan 18, 2007 10:29 pm

SaxyIrishTenor wrote:Everyone knows I yell my ass off no matter where I am sitting, but in the ice arena they have us so far up in the middle of nowhere and there are so many regulations on what we can and can't do, by the ADept and others, that it makes it hard for many to get into the games.

Plus since it's a paid group, you now have people there for the money and for no other reason. This was an objection I had from the beginning, because there are now people who tried out and wanted to play and cheer, as opposed to play and get paid, who are not in the group.

Though I will say that I don't recall it being such an issue when I was there. The level of enthusiasm might have declined since I graduated.

It has....drastically in just the one year. I agree with the other reasons people have gave, but I also feel some responsibility for this. Last year, FliccGirl and I would cheer loudly as I know Saxy and others did. The A-bands seem timid this year and disinterested in the games.

The biggest dearth of cheering and energy that I noticed is in the flicc section. As a former flicc, a decent chunk of us used to stand and cheer for the whole game. We also would dance and do the horn bobs like most of the other band. Now the fliccs just stand there and play, with little emotion. It pains me to see that. Thank goodness most of the other sections have more energy...especially the trombones and euphs. I also think feel that certain directors are favoring talent and quality of sound over energy and enthusiasm. Yes it is important to sound good, but you also need people who have proven themselves to be good fans (one might even say classy) and cheer.

Strouse · Post by **Strouse** » Mon Jan 22, 2007 5:27 am

As far as comparing this year to past years, I can't do that considering I wasn't in A-Band last year or the year before. But what I can do is say that I am also disappointed in the amount...or lack thereof, of support and spirit for our teams is almost to the point of disgrace, and it sickens me. Now, I'm not a true diehard BGSU fan by any means, but I do know that when you go to the games, you should show support for your team, and I don't believe that playing falls under that because we only play when there is "a break in the action." To be supportive you need to actually be in the game while it's being played. If you don't want to be there, then you should not try out for the Athletic Bands, plain and simple. Yes, it doesn't help that whenever we get too into the game we get yelled at for not being ready to play when we need to as some people try to pass for an excuse. But if you are actually into the game, you should know where there's a possible chance that you'll be playing. I won't say any names or any sections for that matter because I know in doing that some of you may decide to call me out on the same thing, of which I know I'm just as guilty as everyone else. In anycase, whether or not you are in Athletic Band, if you go to the game, support your "home" team, in this case Bowling Green because that's where your tuition goes to anyway.

FMBfan07 · Post by **FMBfan07** » Mon Jan 22, 2007 5:54 am

Strouse wrote:As far as comparing this year to past years, I can't do that considering I wasn't in A-Band last year or the year before. But what I can do is say that I am also disappointed in the amount...or lack thereof, of support and spirit for our teams is almost to the point of disgrace, and it sickens me. Now, I'm not a true diehard BGSU fan by any means, but I do know that when you go to the games, you should show support for your team, and I don't believe that playing falls under that because we only play when there is "a break in the action." To be supportive you need to actually be in the game while it's being played. If you don't want to be there, then you should not try out for the Athletic Bands, plain and simple. Yes, it doesn't help that whenever we get too into the game we get yelled at for not being ready to play when we need to as some people try to pass for an excuse. But if you are actually into the game, you should know where there's a possible chance that you'll be playing. I won't say any names or any sections for that matter because I know in doing that some of you may decide to call me out on the same thing, of which I know I'm just as guilty as everyone else. In anycase, whether or not you are in Athletic Band, if you go to the game, support your "home" team, in this case Bowling Green because that's where your tuition goes to anyway.

couldnt of written that any better.. i totally agree. at wednesday's game i'm going to try hard to get people around me to cheer. In Dr. H's weekly aband email she wrote about how we need to be supported and stuff, so hopefully people read that and get into the game.

Rabbit · Post by **Rabbit** » Tue Jan 23, 2007 4:31 pm

So how many hockey players, basketball players, and general sports fans show up at the CMA concerts to cheer the BG musicians? Oh yeah, a one-way street...I forgot.

Strouse · Post by **Strouse** » Tue Jan 23, 2007 5:17 pm

Rabbit wrote:So how many hockey players, basketball players, and general sports fans show up at the CMA concerts to cheer the BG musicians? Oh yeah, a one-way street...I forgot.

Keep in mind Rabbit, that in most cases, as from what I've heard, such as when the football team came to the Sounds of the Stadium concert, they were forced to be there.

SaxyIrishTenor · Post by **SaxyIrishTenor** » Tue Jan 23, 2007 5:34 pm

Strouse wrote:
Rabbit wrote:So how many hockey players, basketball players, and general sports fans show up at the CMA concerts to cheer the BG musicians? Oh yeah, a one-way street...I forgot.
Keep in mind Rabbit, that in most cases, as from what I've heard, such as when the football team came to the Sounds of the Stadium concert, they were forced to be there.

After last season, they owed you.

BGDrew · Post by **BGDrew** » Tue Jan 23, 2007 9:27 pm

Rabbit wrote:So how many hockey players, basketball players, and general sports fans show up at the CMA concerts to cheer the BG musicians? Oh yeah, a one-way street...I forgot.

The A-Band is paid and given credit to be at the games. Athletes do not get credit or paid to be at band performances.

The Niz · Post by **The Niz** » Tue Jan 23, 2007 10:14 pm

Athletes go to school for free, and they have musicians who cheer them on as they do so. Where is our cheering at? My girlfriend and I were just talking about this. Simple things that the crowd could do with us while we play would make it thousands of times better. Like when Ay-zig is played people could actually sing along, when the BGSU drum cadence is played, the crowd could actually chant BGSU along with the band and cheerleaders. When first and ten is played, guess who could shout first and ten, do it again with us. When we play Eat'em up, guess who could yell eat'em up eat'em up go bg.

That's just to name a few. It damn near broke my heart when we played OU this year and I went to that game. Their fans actually respond to the band's cheers and songs. It seems silly to me that with a band as awful as the 110, that those fans should like them so much. It seems even worse that with a band as good as the FMB that people around here (unless they are former members or associated with the music college) don't give a rats AZZ.

Our pep band is one of the finest I've heard. And until recently they were quite a spirited group. When I went to notre dame, ann arbor, and east lansing for hockey games, the a bands were so awful and so muddled that you could hardly tell what they were playing. I don't think I've ever had a problem hearing the band, or knowing what they were playing around here. There is a total lack of support/appreciation for our FMB and a bands around the campus and around a lot of the administration and I hope that changes VERY soon.

Ok, I'm done ranting. Feel free to disagree with any of my feelings. This is just how many of us musicians feel.

Post by **ZiggyZoomba** » Wed Jan 24, 2007 12:20 am

Hey people from my era...

Wasn't it completely different when we were there? I think it's a direct reflection of the attitude of the ensemble's leader. Jay Jackson LOVED hoops (coming from Tobacco Road and all) and I think HIS enthusiasm was reflected in the actions of the band members. I mean, Judd Heathcoat was pissed at us!! How sweet is that??

Jackson also had his "not an option" regulations for cheers, hands, and enthusiasm.

Can't say anything about the current leaders, because I don't know their view of the role of the ensemble, but I know when we were playing we were there to contribute to the atmosphere, not only with our music, but with our enthusiasm and energy when we weren't playing!