SMU Alumni "snub" football student atheletes

[Statler]

The incident unfortunately happened and yes there is more to it but everyone is missing the point. This is a new team and a new coaching staff that has been to two bowl games. These are some of the best student atheletes and ambassadors the school has ever had playing football. The entire SMU family needs to get behind coach Jones and the players to support their efforts. The incident with the alumni band is only an example of the old school culture around the campus. We have a chance this week to come together and change our old ways. President Turner, Athletic Director Orsini, Mustang Club and Band Director Dom Hopkins take charge or assign someone to organize and cheer our boys at the Pony Walk this family weekend. Remember its FAMILY weekend. I will be at the corner cheering for the whole team.

Well, Well, Well, a helicopter parent or grandparent attacking the Alumni Band (this is a new one)

1. The Alumni Band is a totally volunteer group who plays for the enjoyment of music and the fact that we are probably the most hardcore supporters of SMU athletics (next to the real MUSTANG BAND).

a. The AB plays in the second quarter while "The Mustang Band" changes for halftime.
b. The AB to my knowledge is the THE ONLY alumni group to play for the Men's and Women's
BBall teams during Winter Break in the entire NCAA. Sometimes we almost outnumber
the spectators
c. The AB has even played for a women's volleyball game.

2. The AB hangs out at the Diamond M Club tent which raises money for the Mustang Band. The Diamond M Club pays for its two spaces. So if a DMC member who might also want be in AB doesn't want to play, they have just as much right as anybody else to sit and enjoy their adult beverage.

3. Everything is negotiable. The AB has played independent gigs to raise money for the Mustang Band scholarship. If you feel so strongly about this, why dont you and your folks contribute $5k and we will play. (Believe it or not we have played for a wedding reception)

http://www.diamondmclub.org/

4. The AB DOES NOT HAVE A SPOKESMAN...it's not organized enough to have one However, I did find the guy who you thought was the spokesman. He is a man of integrity and I believe his side completely. He tried to explain what has been posted on this site. e.g. right instrumentation, not enough players, apethy, etc., but you would not listen as apparently you had an agenda. I do not appreciate you using profanity towards the alumni band. Remember, he who lives in glass houses shouldn't run around naked.

(edited to make sure Mustang Band received proper credit as "The HUB of SMU SPIRIT")

[Junior]

boo
yah

[GottaLuvtheBand8386]

Late to the party---I just heard about this thread tonight after work.
I was the member of the alumni band who spoke to the aggrieved parent. Much of what I would say has already been said; suffice it to point out that 1) I am not the 'spokesperson' for the Alumni band, but rather a member of the alumni band. After I heard the request for us to 'buzz up' the team, I approached one of our directors. He replied me that 2) in years past we had played for the team as they walked by and they didn't seem to hear us through their ear-phones, etc., so we stopped doing it, and that we didn't have players ready to go. (I was there then too outside of Perkins chapel when divine intervention was the order of the day). When I relayed this to the complaining party, he told me 3) we should do it for 'the kids'; when I pointed out that 4) 'the kids' didn't seem to hear/appreciate what we played in the past, and that we were alums, not the actual Mustang Band he told me that 5) "we (meaning the alumni band I suppose) sucked". As I pointed out to him, we in the alumni band are not the Mustang Band--if anyone is going to play for the team it should be the actual Mustang Band. When we know they won't be available (like during the second quarter of the actual football game itself) then we (or some group of us) can and will be there to play for the Mustangs. It takes more communication than simply a request in the middle of the street as the team approaches.

JKH--class of '83 and '86.

[JasonB]

If the proper instruments weren't there, that is fine.

If the band wasn't ready, that is fine too.

Those are both great reasons.

But worrying about if the players are listening or not and what have you, that is all about ego.

As a private organization, you have every right to do what you want.

It's just disappointing to the rest of us.

[GottaLuvtheBand8386]

If the proper instruments weren't there, that is fine.

If the band wasn't ready, that is fine too.

Those are both great reasons.

But worrying about if the players are listening or not and what have you, that is all about ego.

As a private organization, you have every right to do what you want.

It's just disappointing to the rest of us.

Its all about communication---waiting till the last minute, making demands and name-calling generally aren't conducive to getting things done. At least not in my world.

[Mestengo]

I like the band next to us.

[ThunderStang]

If the proper instruments weren't there, that is fine.

If the band wasn't ready, that is fine too.

Those are both great reasons.

But worrying about if the players are listening or not and what have you, that is all about ego.

As a private organization, you have every right to do what you want.

It's just disappointing to the rest of us.

Its all about communication---waiting till the last minute, making demands and name-calling generally aren't conducive to getting things done. At least not in my world.

As a former 4-year cheerleader for SMU I can appreciate your point somewhat and I do think this was simply a case of miscommunication and misunderstanding from a die-hard parent (which we need more of around here). However, I gotta side with JasonB on this one - there were times where I never felt particularly appreciated either for what we (the cheerleaders) did (from the teams, even students, etc) but it never mattered to me. I loved and continue to love this institution and count it as an honor to have been able to be so involved with the programs during my time there. Ego simply has no place when it comes to supporting your alma mater and its kids. As former representatives of the school we've still got to be an example to others of how to "walk the walk" without interjecting our own emotions into it.

That being said - I just want to say THANK YOU to all the current and former mustang banders out there - these are true fans of the program from a great organization that are deserving of our respect and appreciation. Now back to the regularly scheduled program... Go 'Stangs.

[Traumadoc]

So GottaLuvthe Band8386 you are right. 'Lets do it for the kids" we have a chance to change things and show our appreciation for the coaches and the team. The Pony Walk is only 10 minutes of everyone's time. Come play, cheer and honor the effort of the 'kids" Lets not argue. I bet 8386 you could get this done because I saw the passion in you for the band.

[Junior]

So GottaLuvthe Band8386 you are right. 'Lets do it for the kids" we have a chance to change things and show our appreciation for the coaches and the team. The Pony Walk is only 10 minutes of everyone's time. Come play, cheer and honor the effort of the 'kids" Lets not argue. I bet 8386 you could get this done because I saw the passion in you for the band.

Mitch, is that you?

[kelprinz]

This thread is now 6 pages. I should just let it go and move on, but I simply can't do it. The fellow Mustang Band old farts who know me know that it's not in my nature to keep my mouth shut.

It seems that everyone is missing this point. Both the Mustang Band and the Alumni Band will happily go to the ends of the Earth to support the entire SMU community. We'll "buzz up" the team any time, any place. We'll be there to cheer the loudest regardless of the outcome, regardless of the size of the crowd, and regardless of whether or not the players, the school administration, and/or the crowd seem to care or appreciate us at all.

We're all fiercely loyal and take most of this SMU stuff a little too seriously.

It is disappointing that neither the Mustang Band nor the Alumni Band was available to buzz up the team during their walk down the Boulevard (even if the players would have had their iPods on and wouldn't have noticed anyway). However, the reasons for the lack of Band support for the walk were a lack of planning and a lack of communication. Period. There was no "snub" by the Alumni Band.

Whether the Alumni Band is a volunteer organiation or not, they would never snub fellow Mustangs. I can assure all of you that they would prefer to be able to buzz up the team for the walk than for it to be an unorganized mess that doesn't serve to fire up the fans or the team.

I'll try to shut up now and move on to other threads that go on too long and rant about things none of us can change.

BTHOO northwestern state!

HUBBA!!

Prinz
Frosh '92

[redpony]

Mitch hasn't posted lately. He is slipping up on his job- no panic posts after UTEP. Maybe he is still licking his wounds from the pounding that Minn took this last weekend.

GO PONIES!!!

[Junior]

Mitch hasn't posted lately. He is slipping up on his job- no panic posts after UTEP. Maybe he is still licking his wounds from the pounding that Minn took this last weekend.

GO PONIES!!!

i was implying that traumadoc was mitch.

[Junior]

This thread is now 6 pages. I should just let it go and move on, but I simply can't do it. The fellow Mustang Band old farts who know me know that it's not in my nature to keep my mouth shut.

It seems that everyone is missing this point. Both the Mustang Band and the Alumni Band will happily go to the ends of the Earth to support the entire SMU community. We'll "buzz up" the team any time, any place. We'll be there to cheer the loudest regardless of the outcome, regardless of the size of the crowd, and regardless of whether or not the players, the school administration, and/or the crowd seem to care or appreciate us at all.

We're all fiercely loyal and take most of this SMU stuff a little too seriously.

It is disappointing that neither the Mustang Band nor the Alumni Band was available to buzz up the team during their walk down the Boulevard (even if the players would have had their iPods on and wouldn't have noticed anyway). However, the reasons for the lack of Band support for the walk were a lack of planning and a lack of communication. Period. There was no "snub" by the Alumni Band.

Whether the Alumni Band is a volunteer organiation or not, they would never snub fellow Mustangs. I can assure all of you that they would prefer to be able to buzz up the team for the walk than for it to be an unorganized mess that doesn't serve to fire up the fans or the team.

I'll try to shut up now and move on to other threads that go on too long and rant about things none of us can change.

BTHOO northwestern state!

HUBBA!!

Prinz
Frosh '92

You need to quit it with this "old farts" talk, ok.

I was a freshman the year before you, but I'm not ready to move into category yet.

[PK]

Mitch hasn't posted lately. He is slipping up on his job- no panic posts after UTEP. Maybe he is still licking his wounds from the pounding that Minn took this last weekend.

GO PONIES!!!

i was implying that traumadoc was mitch.

No...Mitch would be dramadoc.

[Dutch]

The incident unfortunately happened and yes there is more to it but everyone is missing the point. This is a new team and a new coaching staff that has been to two bowl games. These are some of the best student atheletes and ambassadors the school has ever had playing football. The entire SMU family needs to get behind coach Jones and the players to support their efforts. The incident with the alumni band is only an example of the old school culture around the campus. We have a chance this week to come together and change our old ways. President Turner, Athletic Director Orsini, Mustang Club and Band Director Dom Hopkins take charge or assign someone to organize and cheer our boys at the Pony Walk this family weekend. Remember its FAMILY weekend. I will be at the corner cheering for the whole team.

Well, Well, Well, a helicopter parent or grandparent attacking the Alumni Band (this is a new one)

1. The Alumni Band is a totally volunteer group who plays for the enjoyment of music and the fact that we are probably the most hardcore supporters of SMU athletics (next to the real MUSTANG BAND).

a. The AB plays in the second quarter while "The Mustang Band" changes for halftime.
b. The AB to my knowledge is the THE ONLY alumni group to play for the Men's and Women's
BBall teams during Winter Break in the entire NCAA. Sometimes we almost outnumber
the spectators
c. The AB has even played for a women's volleyball game.

2. The AB hangs out at the Diamond M Club tent which raises money for the Mustang Band. The Diamond M Club pays for its two spaces. So if a DMC member who might also want be in AB doesn't want to play, they have just as much right as anybody else to sit and enjoy their adult beverage.

3. Everything is negotiable. The AB has played independent gigs to raise money for the Mustang Band scholarship. If you feel so strongly about this, why dont you and your folks contribute $5k and we will play. (Believe it or not we have played for a wedding reception)

http://www.diamondmclub.org/

4. The AB DOES NOT HAVE A SPOKESMAN...it's not organized enough to have one However, I did find the guy who you thought was the spokesman. He is a man of integrity and I believe his side completely. He tried to explain what has been posted on this site. e.g. right instrumentation, not enough players, apethy, etc., but you would not listen as apparently you had an agenda. I do not appreciate you using profanity towards the alumni band. Remember, he who lives in glass houses shouldn't run around naked.

(edited to make sure Mustang Band received proper credit as "The HUB of SMU SPIRIT")

I was wondering how long you were going to wait to chime in on this.