Preview story from New Orleans Times-Picayune
Posted: Thu Sep 28, 2006 4:57 pmWave wants whooping despite no hooplah
Tulane's return to Superdome low-key compared with Saints'
Thursday, September 28, 2006
By Ted Lewis
Instead of Green Day and Bono, there'll be a DJ.
Instead of former President George Bush conducting the coin toss, President Scott Cowen will do the honors.
Instead of Irma Thomas singing the national anthem, the Tulane Marching Band will perform.
Green Wave football's return to the Superdome for Saturday's game against Southern Methodist will be decidedly low-key, compared with the NFL-produced extravaganza for the Saints' return Monday.
But that's the way Tulane wants it.
"We want to make the focus of this game on Tulane and that the Tulane community is back together," Assistant Athletic Director Dennis Polian said. "Our goal is to make the event as fan friendly as possible, but without personnel, it's impossible to manage anything elaborate.
"We're more interested in bringing in all of the campus groups and enjoying each other's company in a simple, classy way and not being too flashy about it. We are happy and grateful to be back."
Tulane hasn't played a true home game since Dec. 4, 2004. The team spent last season in a Katrina-forced exile, playing 11 games in 11 different stadiums.
For that reason alone, Green Wave Coach Chris Scelfo said, his team deserves a good turnout Saturday.
"After all our players have endured, I would hope the community would show its appreciation for the way they've represented the school and New Orleans by being there and cheering for us," he said. "I know our players would very much cherish and appreciate that."
But expectations for a large turnout are low.
Dan Holden, the director of ticket operations and sales, said he is hoping for about 15,000 people to actually be in the Dome, although season-ticket sales are at about that level.
Students may attend in more than their usual numbers. An informal survey this week found six of 10 students said they planned to go.
"It's important for the students to be there," said Michael Correia, a senior from New York. "We need to show we're a presence in New Orleans as well the Saints."
Freshman Anthony Brooks of Princeton, N.J., said he was moved to attend when Scelfo made an appearance during orientation.
"He told us how much the team needed us," Brooks said. "The school is providing tickets and buses to the game. There's no reason why we shouldn't go."
Tulane is doing more than just opening the doors of the Dome for the game. Those so inclined can tailgate in a new area atop the southeast parking garage.
The athletic department is reserving spaces for $20, although Dome rules prohibit fires and glass containers. Also, patrons must park inside the garage instead of adjacent to the tailgate area.
A disc jockey and a traditional New Orleans brass band will provide music in the area.
"It's obviously more difficult to tailgate on a concrete structure, but there will be a simple, community atmosphere," Polian said. "This is a more shaded area than where we tailgated in the past (atop the northwest garage), and by letting people reserve spots, they'll have something tangible that nobody can take away from them."
The biggest attraction inside the Dome will be the band making its debut.
Originally formed as a student volunteer group in 2003, the band is now under official school auspices and has 45 members. The group played from the stands at last week's game at LSU.
Saturday, the band will perform a traditional pregame show with school songs plus the national anthem.
The halftime show will feature all-New Orleans music.
"I'd tell you more about it, but I don't want to give it away," said Barry Spanier, director of bands. "But it's going to be something people can enjoy.
"We view the band as a bridge between audience to the team. We're going to keep constant support and energy flowing in a way that recorded music can't."
The pregame and in-game activities will feature a salute to the Tulane medical community.
"We want to give a very sincere thank you to those in the hospital during and after Katrina and to those that have gotten back up and running," Polian said. "Many of them were student volunteers who dedicated themselves throughout that time, and they deserve recognition for what they've done."
First responders from the New Orleans police and fire departments will be honored as well.
CSTV, available only on satellite providers in this market, will air the game and present a check for $109,000 from a telethon held during last year's Mississippi State game to the Boys & Girls Club of Southeastern Louisiana.
"We're recognizing that Tulane needs New Orleans and vice versa," said Betsy Laborde, assistant athletic director for external affairs. "As a native, I remember when Tulane and New Orleans embraced each other, and we want that feeling to come back.
"We don't have the budget of the Saints, but we are trying to maximize what we can do to hook people into coming. We want people to come to the game, have a great time and then come back."
-----------------------------------------------------------
Fox Sports' "Best Damn Sports Show" will be taped at Tulane today and Friday starting at 4:30 p.m. on the Gibson Quad. Green Wave Coach Chris Scelfo will appear on today's show, which airs at 11 p.m.
Tulane's return to Superdome low-key compared with Saints'
Thursday, September 28, 2006
By Ted Lewis
Instead of Green Day and Bono, there'll be a DJ.
Instead of former President George Bush conducting the coin toss, President Scott Cowen will do the honors.
Instead of Irma Thomas singing the national anthem, the Tulane Marching Band will perform.
Green Wave football's return to the Superdome for Saturday's game against Southern Methodist will be decidedly low-key, compared with the NFL-produced extravaganza for the Saints' return Monday.
But that's the way Tulane wants it.
"We want to make the focus of this game on Tulane and that the Tulane community is back together," Assistant Athletic Director Dennis Polian said. "Our goal is to make the event as fan friendly as possible, but without personnel, it's impossible to manage anything elaborate.
"We're more interested in bringing in all of the campus groups and enjoying each other's company in a simple, classy way and not being too flashy about it. We are happy and grateful to be back."
Tulane hasn't played a true home game since Dec. 4, 2004. The team spent last season in a Katrina-forced exile, playing 11 games in 11 different stadiums.
For that reason alone, Green Wave Coach Chris Scelfo said, his team deserves a good turnout Saturday.
"After all our players have endured, I would hope the community would show its appreciation for the way they've represented the school and New Orleans by being there and cheering for us," he said. "I know our players would very much cherish and appreciate that."
But expectations for a large turnout are low.
Dan Holden, the director of ticket operations and sales, said he is hoping for about 15,000 people to actually be in the Dome, although season-ticket sales are at about that level.
Students may attend in more than their usual numbers. An informal survey this week found six of 10 students said they planned to go.
"It's important for the students to be there," said Michael Correia, a senior from New York. "We need to show we're a presence in New Orleans as well the Saints."
Freshman Anthony Brooks of Princeton, N.J., said he was moved to attend when Scelfo made an appearance during orientation.
"He told us how much the team needed us," Brooks said. "The school is providing tickets and buses to the game. There's no reason why we shouldn't go."
Tulane is doing more than just opening the doors of the Dome for the game. Those so inclined can tailgate in a new area atop the southeast parking garage.
The athletic department is reserving spaces for $20, although Dome rules prohibit fires and glass containers. Also, patrons must park inside the garage instead of adjacent to the tailgate area.
A disc jockey and a traditional New Orleans brass band will provide music in the area.
"It's obviously more difficult to tailgate on a concrete structure, but there will be a simple, community atmosphere," Polian said. "This is a more shaded area than where we tailgated in the past (atop the northwest garage), and by letting people reserve spots, they'll have something tangible that nobody can take away from them."
The biggest attraction inside the Dome will be the band making its debut.
Originally formed as a student volunteer group in 2003, the band is now under official school auspices and has 45 members. The group played from the stands at last week's game at LSU.
Saturday, the band will perform a traditional pregame show with school songs plus the national anthem.
The halftime show will feature all-New Orleans music.
"I'd tell you more about it, but I don't want to give it away," said Barry Spanier, director of bands. "But it's going to be something people can enjoy.
"We view the band as a bridge between audience to the team. We're going to keep constant support and energy flowing in a way that recorded music can't."
The pregame and in-game activities will feature a salute to the Tulane medical community.
"We want to give a very sincere thank you to those in the hospital during and after Katrina and to those that have gotten back up and running," Polian said. "Many of them were student volunteers who dedicated themselves throughout that time, and they deserve recognition for what they've done."
First responders from the New Orleans police and fire departments will be honored as well.
CSTV, available only on satellite providers in this market, will air the game and present a check for $109,000 from a telethon held during last year's Mississippi State game to the Boys & Girls Club of Southeastern Louisiana.
"We're recognizing that Tulane needs New Orleans and vice versa," said Betsy Laborde, assistant athletic director for external affairs. "As a native, I remember when Tulane and New Orleans embraced each other, and we want that feeling to come back.
"We don't have the budget of the Saints, but we are trying to maximize what we can do to hook people into coming. We want people to come to the game, have a great time and then come back."
-----------------------------------------------------------
Fox Sports' "Best Damn Sports Show" will be taped at Tulane today and Friday starting at 4:30 p.m. on the Gibson Quad. Green Wave Coach Chris Scelfo will appear on today's show, which airs at 11 p.m.