How to get Alumni Back for Homecoming

[Ohiogal]

door prizes? i don't know what our piddly budget is but maybe we can get people to donate or even a 50/50 drawing...

Trips to Las Vegas are pretty cheap. Or a day at the Kerr House in Grand Rapids, Ohio.

A nice brunch somewhere on Sunday afternoon?

Or prizes for the oldest, furthest away, most years attending alumni games... etc....

Other thoughts anyone?

[SaxyIrishTenor]

door prizes? i don't know what our piddly budget is but maybe we can get people to donate or even a 50/50 drawing...

Trips to Las Vegas are pretty cheap. Or a day at the Kerr House in Grand Rapids, Ohio.

A nice brunch somewhere on Sunday afternoon?

Or prizes for the oldest, furthest away, most years attending alumni games... etc....

Other thoughts anyone?

How about getting the flyers out on time, and to all the alumni, instead of just some?

Perhaps an after-game social?

(More chances for camaraderie in general, instead of the game-and-thats-it...)

Raffle to cover travel costs?

Better uniforms

[Rightupinthere]

Jeff Rader handed out a sheet asking for feedback.

I provided some - well, and them some.

Most of my suggestions will not be accepted by the current administration. I feel as though I am a neusance simply because I'm alumni. Interesting how some folks can burn bridge faster than any other normal person can build them.

Anyhoo, here are a few of my idea-ers.

#1 Bring back BUFFO both function and entity. Alcohol available.

#2 Better uniform - nice orange pullover with a falcon head on it, or like. Have FMB alumni patch on one sleeve and custom embroidery on another.

#3 Send out information in AUGUST

#4 Invite alumni to sit IN with the regular band. This is huge. I want to get to know those kids because we are linked by this entity called the FMB.

#5 Family day at the Toiletto zoo or like on the Sunday following game. Invite regular band as well.

#6 Have other events throughout the year. I offered an evening with the Cleveland Orchestra at Blossom. WE could score some nice price breaks because a FMB alum is the facilities director of Severence Hall, for crying out loud. We could bring our own food and tickets would be purchased in advance. This could be a HUGE summer warm-up to homecoming. There's also brunch at Pickwick and Frolic in Cleveland and other type events. If done properly, the FMB Alum Board wouldn't have to worry about no-shows.

#7 Provide hookers and blow.

That's all I can remember of the list. There's more. I'll attempt to remember and post more.

[BGDrew]

#7 Provide hookers and blow.

Where do I sign up?

[goofyeuph]

Ok, so this is proably going to sound really silly, but oh well. I havn't/won't graduate from BGSU. If you really want to know details, PM me and we'll talk. However those who know me, and most of the regulars on this board will testify that I have undying, unwavering (some would say unnatural) love of all things BGSU and particularly of the FMB. Even though I don't hold a degree would I still be welcome back for Alumni Band? I'd love to come back and march (actually meet RUIT, Ohiogal, et al) but I don't want to take the time and effort to show up just to get told to kiss off.

[SaxyIrishTenor]

Ok, so this is proably going to sound really silly, but oh well. I havn't/won't graduate from BGSU. If you really want to know details, PM me and we'll talk. However those who know me, and most of the regulars on this board will testify that I have undying, unwavering (some would say unnatural) love of all things BGSU and particularly of the FMB. Even though I don't hold a degree would I still be welcome back for Alumni Band? I'd love to come back and march (actually meet RUIT, Ohiogal, et al) but I don't want to take the time and effort to show up just to get told to kiss off.

Yes, as long as you have applied for alum status with the university, which you can do one full semester after you have ended your affiliation. It also says that in the alumni band "rules" if I am not mistaken.

In fact, those who march their first two years and stop afterwards to focus on other things like graduation (;)) are allowed to go back and march because they are technically "FMB alumni" even if they are not yet BG alumni. Correct me if I am wrong on that.

[able1]

I believe, as the rules stand now, you would technically not be able to march...however... I brought this issue up a couple of years ago because a guy who marched when I did is in a very similar situation as you are. He marched four years and was a squad leader for two. He left BG just before he would have graduated due to personal issues that were out of his control. I believe the alumni band board was going to let him march. I know it was discussed. So to be TOTALLY clear on your question, I think it's possible

RUIT has some good ideas. I really think the BUFFO thing would be absolutely huge for relations between alumni and the administration. I don't think anyone can begin to fathom how important BUFFO was to the band. I understand that what one group of them did was bad and they deserved to be punished, but disbanding them punished everyone who ever had anything to do with them. Even if they were allowed to make an appearance at homecoming with the alumni band, it would be a big start and a gesture that the faculty are making an effort to improve relations with the alumni. I know several people who would come back if they knew BUFFO was going to be reinstated. They were former BUFFOs themselves.

Just to be clear about the mailing this year, the band administration had nothing to do with it being late.

[goofyeuph]

thank you for your replies. unfortunatly i belive it answers my question.

[SaxyGirl85]

thank you for your replies. unfortunatly i belive it answers my question.

stacey marched this year...she's in kind of the same situation you are...i don't see why you couldn't if she did.

[able1]

thank you for your replies. unfortunatly i belive it answers my question.

Everyone is saying we believe you should be able to work it out and march. So by saying 'unfortunately' does that mean you don't want to now? j/k
I'm not sure that I've ever met you, but just based on your enthusiasm and personality on the site, I would love to see you be part of the alumni band. Don't give up on the idea.

[goofyeuph]

Oh, I'd still love to march. The reason I said unfortunatly is for 2 reasons:

1) I have a very poor track record for when it comes to getting "special exceptions" made for me (which this pretty much amounts to).

2) There are a couple of details regarding my leaving BGSU that I havn't told a lot of people, and I don't feel comfortable dicussing in a public forum.

Oh, and able1, I don't think we've ever met formally, but I'm pretty sure we played together in a alumni/current student band a few years ago for a hockey game (I was a student at the time and I think I sat infront of you).

[Rightupinthere]

Just to be clear about the mailing this year, the band administration had nothing to do with it being late.

Whoops, I didn't clarify. You're right Jason. The alumni band knows why and how. It just MUST be corrected.

With that in mind it has seemed that the newsletter was sent later and later. My proposition would have a drop dead date to send in August. I don't believe that would be unreasonable.

#8 Hotel packages. Get together with a local hotel and offer a discount package. Work into that some coupons of local restaurants (Myles anyone?) Gives folks a care package of sorts upon check-in.

[Rabbit]

I don't think alumni are going to come back based on raffles or drawings. But I agree COMPLETELY (ain't that a first!) with RUIT - bring back the social aspect of alumni band. I mean, we are there to meet back up with old friends...the playing and marching is secondary (at least to me). Bring back an after-game party or mixer with the current band and alumni. Also have the alumni sit mixed in with the band. They used to do that...it was always fun havingt almumni sit with you, look off of your stand tune music, and tell stories.

Oh, and I hate those orange jackets. I think mine is an XXL - the only size they had left at the time I got mine. The good thing is I can wear 50 layers underneath, but then I look like the Great Pumpkin.

Oh yes, and information sent in August is essential. Most of us have busy lives that need scheduling well in advance. I liked in the past how they would give us a 'roster' at practice with all of the FMB alumni names, addresses, phones, etc. That way I was able to reconnect with some friends I had lost touch with, even if they weren't at homecoming.

[Falcon30]

I didn't get the mailing this year.

does the alumni band get in free? It's been so long for me, I can't remember.

Send us music earlier. So many are local band directors, have some sort of encouragement for them to bring a group of their students along.

Have the alums able to meet with the sections of the present. I could share some maggot stories with the current ones. I am sure some of the traditions have become muddled throughout the years, it would be nice to keep that connection alive.

Bringing back Buffo would be huge.

As an alum, I would love to feel welcomed back. I don't want to be a nuisance, nor do I want to feel like one. Don't have an alumni band just to have one. Use it as an opportunity to enhance the connection we alums all feel about BGSU.

[Rightupinthere]

As an alum, I would love to feel welcomed back. I don't want to be a nuisance, nor do I want to feel like one. Don't have an alumni band just to have one. Use it as an opportunity to enhance the connection we alums all feel about BGSU.

You touch on something here. I didn't really feel like a nuisance. I felt more like my presence was an "inconvenience."

I wonder how homecoming is explained to the current band. It's not about the alumni - as it may be billed. It's about the Bowling Green State University Falcon Marching Band, it's legacy and the effect it's had on THOUSANDS of people. THAT is what it's about, friends.