Game presentation /Customer service

[SMU Pom Mom]

SMU needs a Jim Phillips. Everything you complain about here, we complained about the exact same things. This article is about attendance, but it's all related.

https://www.insidenu.com/2015/6/15/8780 ... -marketing

[PonySnob]

ΓÇ£Barbara AnnΓÇ¥ really pumps up the crowd in Moody........

[peruna11]

I will warn you, however, most of those Top 5 or Top 10 programs involve their bands WAY more than we do. Yes, they pipe in music at some key times, but it is not a substitute for the band. And for the record, I think every member of the band, but at the very least drum majors and directors, should also go on at least a couple of these field trips (or at least watch unedited stadium game feed) to observe what great bands are IN THE STANDS throughout the game. There is room for improvement all around.

There is no doubt the band is important to both sports. At the end of the day, I think people want a smart band, a relevant band, a band that's in touch with the flow of the game. For whatever reason, our band seems to be disconnected from certain aspects of the games.

If we are coming back from a timeout, with the defense needing to make a big stop on 3rd & long, don't play a jazzy show tune as they take the field. If we bury a 3 late in a tight game and Cronin calls a timeout with crowd going bananas, don't interrupt the flow of enthusiasm with Mustang Sally or a Lady Gaga song, just because it's "the band's turn to play" or however that level of production is handled.

I don't think anyone (at least not many) are truly "anti-band". I think the sports minded fan is frustrated with the choices and timing within the game. There are numerous times within every football and basketball game where the band leaves folks scratching their heads as to why they are doing what they're doing. Especially for football (especially with our type of fans), the band needs to be an encouraging enhancement to the game, not a distraction. Help lead the crowd into making noise at the right times; don't dampen what little momentum we have.

Perhaps both sides have a point that has a good resolution. Do the PA/music folks communicate with the band leader? Does the band leader have the flexibility to "play call" on the fly? Maybe it would be a great idea to truly sit down and watch tape together... have some band leaders, PA/music/production, and folks from the football and basketball teams, maybe evens some fans all look at some of these key moments and provide feedback. Teach the band leaders some of the nuance/flow/momentum of the game beyond touchdown=good.

For my more personal feedback for the band... if they are going to maintain the tradition of staying small, they really ought to tighten up their look during the game. With the students out of the band section, it looks even worse. They are scattered about the section, with their coats all over the place. It looks more like Take Your Instrument to The Ballpark night, than a cohesive band. Maybe they could even spread out a little to look like a bigger unit, but keep a tight rectangle and look sharp in the stands. A little more USC Spirit of Troy, and less Rice MOB, if you will.

[SmooBoy]

It used to be the band would play Peruna super-fast continuously at soft levels until the ball was snapped and then they ramped up the volume. This made for 500+ times through Peruna per game and set the tone for the game atmosphere. The band received a penalty for playing too loud during an aTm huddle in Texas Stadium in 1986.

There are way more rules (NCAA and stadium) regarding when bands play now, but I agree there could be more well-timed momentum builders and uniformity.

[DanFreibergerForHeisman]

It used to be the band would play Peruna super-fast continuously at soft levels until the ball was snapped and then they ramped up the volume. This made for 500+ times through Peruna per game and set the tone for the game atmosphere. The band received a penalty for playing too loud during an aTm huddle in Texas Stadium in 1986.

There are way more rules (NCAA and stadium) regarding when bands play now, but I agree there could be more well-timed momentum builders and uniformity.

Baylor 1986.

They could play Peruna more but I think they just don't want to. The rules make a convenient excuse. TCU plays that stupid song and holds the loud long chord at the end right up to the point the other team gets to the line of scrimmage constantly.

[SmooBoy]

Maybe Baylor as well, but the aTm penalty is memorable since I sat with the band that day as a 16yo.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_keVtwjzvkw

[peruna11]

There are way more rules (NCAA and stadium) regarding when bands play now, but I agree there could be more well-timed momentum builders and uniformity.

Fair enough, so let's know those rules and then bend them. Meet with the coaches and get some feedback on how far they're willing to go and when. Being an active nuisance to our opponents seems like a lot of fun as a band member, and it will go a long way towards winning back your own fans.

Like @DanFreibergerForHeisman said, every other band is pushing these boundaries and then some.

The bottom line here and of my previous post is - get back to being part of the team, part of the game.

[skyscraper]

So we've inevitably devolved into band talk.
I'm assuming uniforms will be discussed next.

[smupony94]

So we've inevitably devolved into band talk.
I'm assuming uniforms will be discussed next.

Hoping for anthracite uniforms against HBU

[SmooBoy]

So we've inevitably devolved into band talk.
I'm assuming uniforms will be discussed next.

Band is one aspect. Cheer, pom, handlers, video, audio, everyone involved in gameday needs to be on same page and involved in ideas and solutions. There are games going on every Saturday where one can view outstanding gameday experiences. A contingent should go visit one of these locales or split up on the bye week to gather info and then convene on findings.

[peruna11]

So we've inevitably devolved into band talk.
I'm assuming uniforms will be discussed next.

My bad, I thought this was the thread started by The Mustang Club Board asking for game presentation feedback...

[SMU_Alum11]

It won't work at Ford until we have more than a 1,000 fans on the East side

But here is:

Texas
Fight

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r4XkluT_hCc

Thank you. Yes, Tex-As! Fight! = Po-Ny! UP!

Yes agreed though it could have worked at the navy game given they, the media, heard the S-M-U chant when those lousy refs were reviewing.

I know it's beyond a long shot. It would require a great deal of planning and using the screen at the end zone to give fans the instructions, and having a large enough base to not look silly. One can dream though.

[skyscraper]

lol at the people suggesting cross-stadium cheers.
Does anyone on this board actually attend the games?
Deduct the sizeable Navy contingent from Saturday and the east side of the stadium was the band and about 100 SMU people.

[Dutch]

Here's a picture I took at the TCU game. Am I missing it?

it's marked. i have a photo of it from Navy game. might have had something to do with it being a first down in the photo you have and they were updating it.
it's denoted as a dot on whichever team has the ball on the respective side of the game clock in similar location to the </> in RGV's photo.

[SMU_Alum11]

lol at the people suggesting cross-stadium cheers.
Does anyone on this board actually attend the games?
Deduct the sizeable Navy contingent from Saturday and the east side of the stadium was the band and about 100 SMU people.

I said dream didnΓÇÖt I... and yes I went to every game since I started at SMU except the last TCU game. I missed that because having the flu, rain and 2.5hrs delay was too much.