Class of 61 wrote:I usually take some time to read thru all the forums...and as a NON FMB person, I only have one observation to make....
Is there a reason for this apparent apathy among FMB alums...and if so, what can be done to turn it around? I'd LOVE to see 100+ alums marching, in addition to the current band. But then, I'm just an"old" guy who loves BGSU, even with some of its faults.
Hi, all. I read this forum every now and then, but this is my first time actually contributing. Believe me, I was tempted to throw in some comments during the recent HuTo-inspired flame war but decided it was a quasi-moot point (Fuj, shame on you!)
Unfortunately my partner-in-crime and I will be unable to attend Homecoming
yet again because of an OMEA competition that same day. A few years ago, we were responsible for getting 16 of our former Perc colleagues to return and had a great time. However, we were talking after the event and wondering why it seems to be so hard to get people to return. After all, I realize it may be a somewhat lopsided comparison, but OSU and UM have no trouble getting hundreds of enthusiastic alumni to come back each year.
To disagree with an earlier post that it takes up the entire day, I would like suggest just the opposite. For myself and others, I know that part of the reason we come back is because it's fun to have that feeling of being on the field and in the band again. However, with the exception of a couple stand tune opportunities here and there, this experience pretty much ends after pregame. For those who sometimes make long trips to come back to BG, our experience usually consists of having a rehearsal, marching on to the field through a chorus of the fight song, standing still and playing a song, finishing pregame and then... that's it. Thanks a lot, alumni. See you next year. Once we're in the stands, the interaction with the band and attention from the band is minimal. I think that's why most of the alumni band has left by the third quarter.
One thing I've noticed at three recent Big Ten games is that the alumni is incorporated into the halftime show, as well. I'm not suggesting that the alumni band needs to learn drills like they do at OSU every year (and those of you who know me know I am no fan of the so-called BDBITL)--I just think if the alumni was made to feel as though their presence is welcome once pregame is over, it might be a more successful tradition. Maybe there needs to be more interaction among the two bands. I know logistics can be cumbersome, but if we could get rid of the Us and Them aspects of the day somewhat, it might be more fun for all involved.
I enjoy seeing my old friends, getting to play again and being on the field in front of the crowd. However, I think if I actually felt like the alumni were more of an integrated part of the whole day, I'd probably be more excited to make the trip.
