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Keith Whitmire is dead onModerators: PonyPride, SmooPower
40 posts
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You sad, sad and jealous man. You truly are a wannabe.
Personally, while I'd like to see the place full again, I don't think turning Moody into a Mark Cuban, over-the-top, never-a-dull-moment-to-think-about-how-much-money-you-just-blew, pro experience is the way to go.
SMU needs to offer a college experience. Sushi and cheesesteaks at the concessions is BS. Renovate the place, but keep it cozy, cool, and fun. Newer music? Not sure what the complaint is there. The pregame warmup tunes now are the latest hiphop stuff out there.
I don't think Duke or UNC have a high tech show or music at their games. I am not sure going to "Jump, Jump, Jump" or someother techno sound is going to fill the stands with SMU fans. College basketball is different from the NBA and part of its charm is that it is different. I think the Mustang band could move into some more fast paced dixieland or swing music and still have the crowd going. But that said, if that's the only thing that will get our students to actually attend games, then get out Emenem.
I think what DiamondM and I are talknig about is not a "in your face, NBA arena" feel, but just more of an organized effort to get things to run smoothly. For example, when the dance team comes out, have the music cued up and ready to go, right at the buzzer, and at the right volume. Often, they'd run out there and freeze in place for 20 seconds while someone's fumbling with the CD. Little stuff like that. Things that wouldn't cost millions of dollars, just require people to be a little more on the ball.
If you have any suggestions for songs for the Mustang Band, feel free to email Tommy Tucker. He arranges all the music and is always open to new song ideas. Sent from my Motorola brick.
I specifically said a big time COLLEGE basketball program for a reason. You don't need much money to do that. I really despise the pro atmosphere (or pseudo pro atmospheres of some mid-level programs that have chosen the pro route). I've been to many big time games in many atmospheres, and it's got little to do with money. Okay, maybe whether or not we can print up programs, or at least 3 color roster cards, instead of black on white cardstock has something to do with money, but not a whole lot. The reality is it has to start with the band and spirit squads, and they have to know what a big time college basketball game looks and feels like. It has to start with the way the team is introduced -- I already talked to Heilbron about my dislike of the intro music they used last year and was assured it was a 1 and done deal. It has to start with not putting half empty press tables at one end of the court so the cheerleaders cannot be on the baseline. It has to start with not having truly lame time out promotions. It has to start with, let's just say it, eliminating the blue seats if people aren't going to sit in them. No the students don't come either, (although IIRC it was Doherty who moved the Carolina student section to where some of the big donors used to sit to liven up the cavernous laundromat that is the Dean Dome), but having the security people guarding those seats after the first 5 minutes instead of moving lots of people down to fill in, especially along the baseline, is just silly. Then we can move on to more expensive things like the scoreboard.
DO NOT copy the Mavs game day production. Leave that crap in the NBA. Going to a Mavs game has become intolerable in the last few years. I guess it does work for the doped up, ADD, ridilin users that we have created in our society today, but please leave it out of the college game. I am all for a little music in timeouts, a new scoreboard with useful information and a decent halftime, but please do not mimic the Mavs when talking about how SMU needs to do game presentation.
I know it is stealing a Duke bit, but I have had this vision for years:
And the band makes the college gameday experience. You can't diminish that. If it is me, I double the fine arts credit for the band. Though, I too, wish that SMU would abandon the "We play jazz!" mentality. I like it, but SMU was the first to play jazz, that doesn't mean they should be the last to do it, either.
That wasn't my point. It's attention to detail and production. My point was he turned it around and focused on customer service. marketing, season ticket holders, etc. I don't want to replicate a Mavs game, some of the things they do are pretty lame. BUT the way they run things is pretty impressive. There are lots of things that can improve to make the game more enjoyable from those things I listed.
I've been to my share of carolina and duke games, heck, even been to a UNCW game. Although I haven't been to an SMU BBall game since my last year of law school in 03', I'd like to point out a few differences. At carolina and Duke, game day (or night) is an ALL-Day affair, you don't show up minutes before the game but you are at the bars or tailgaiting. Why couldn't we incorporate "The Boulevard" into BBall games as well?? or something like it. That would bring out more people I'm sure.
Second, you are dead right about presentation being everything. UNCW is a small school, but their games have a more modern feel, which is all we need. Just some thoughts.
Blog,
The band did have those shirts (white/blue stripes) at some point in the 80's-90's, and for whatever reason, a decision was made to go to red polos and blue polos (alternating). The only thing about the striped shirt is that it is SO overdone, but I would like to see something unique. I think the Arkansas band used to wear bright red overalls; I'd like something clever like that (definitely NOT overalls, but you know what I mean). Even just white oxford shirt, khakis, blue/red tie would look good and would fit the SMU "look". As far as music, as much as the band preaches "We play jazz" that doesnt mean that's all they can play. A lot of the traditional songs are jazzy, but rock/funk songs have been worked into the rotation since the 60's. When I left, we were playing Ozzy Osbourne, AC/DC, Beach Boys, Van Halen, and lots of classic rock stuff (Santana, Cream, Chicago, Boston) at basketball games. Now, I don't want to tell the directors what they should be doing, but I think football could be a place for the traditional songs, and then basketball could be much more of a rock music thing. Keep in mind there was a new director this year, and I'm sure he's got more planned for next year. My point is that 1) changes could be made, but 2) the band hasn't always just played Benny Goodman hits for 3 hours. I think this was just a "learning" year for the band, if that makes sense. Sent from my Motorola brick.
Maybe this is more on point:
You are going to double zero? The donkey's name is Kiki.
On a side note, anybody need a patent attorney? Good, Bad...I'm the one with the gun.
Who is Steve Davis?
40 posts
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