CUSA here we come

[MrMustang1965]

Hey, Terry....are you the same Terry Webster who went to HP in Dallas in the 70s?

[Terry Webster]

That would be me!

[MustangTu]

Current plans are for me and the Mrs to go to ATM, Marshall, Tulsa and Houstan. I might go to UAB as we plan to stay on the East Coast for a week after the Marshall game. May take a train from DC to Alabama if one is available.

[SWC2010]

Thanks for the url. Wow, a Birmingham trip is that much. Its a mere 10 hour bus ride. And we only have what 50 band members now, we'd only need one bus. Okay two buses- for equipment, too. Or do they follow in an 18 wheeler. Just kidding, I would just love to show our new conference mates that we have a great football team and a great tradition. But you're right about it costing.

R U serious, East... 50 band members??????

[couch 'em]

You band guys are young, you can sleep on the bus, party on the way back. Have the freshman wait on the upperclassmen like serfs.

Unfortuantely, that would be "hazing".

[couch 'em]

R U serious, East... 50 band members??????

He is only joking. We were somewhere in the 60s last year. You know, with such strong SMU sports, seen all over the country on TV, and great band recruiting, we have to turn people away!

[OldPony]

Dooby- A bison and a buffalo are the same thing. Saying that CU's mascot is a bison instead of a buffalo is like saying thqt A&M's mascot is a canine instead of a dog. Just an FYI from OP showing of.

[EastStang]

Man, I'm beginning to show my age here. We used to have 96 band members, last time I saw the band it looked about half as big, hence the 50 number. I thought the freshman band members were pretty much hazed until Homecoming (if we won Homecoming). Rumor was that they had to kiss Peruna in a southerly portion as part of their initiation into the band. I remember some band members in my freshman dorm were always having to do all sorts of chores for the upperclassmen. That's not hazing, that's building character and inspiring teamwork.

[Diehard Pony]

Man, I'm beginning to show my age here. We used to have 96 band members, last time I saw the band it looked about half as big, hence the 50 number.

For decades it was 98 guys and a doll. The decline in the size of the band seems to parallel our decline in sports.

[KnuckleStang]

This might be sacrelige, or unheard of, but has anybody ever kicked around the idea of a "travelling squad" for the band? A 20-25-piece "pep band" is better than no band at all. And cheaper. When it comes down to it, everybody knows it ain't the size of the band -- it's the "motion of the commotion." And our band members got some. Just a thought.

[couch 'em]

That's not hazing, that's building character and inspiring teamwork.

That's what I've always said. Too bad these days its gets you in major trouble. You can't ask people to put forth effort or try at things these days. You gotta hand people things on a silver platter.

[PlanoStang]

Man, I'm beginning to show my age here. We used to have 96 band members, last time I saw the band it looked about half as big, hence the 50 number.

For decades it was 98 guys and a doll. The decline in the size of the band seems to parallel our decline in sports.

Yep, that is what is once was. I remember 98 guys, and a doll. The Mustang Jazz sounded much better, and louder than the current band. From a Mustang Band web site, they hold exclusive auditions.

What I'm wondering if the current director, NOT IRVING DREIBOLT (sp?) is being a little too particular, and holding the current members to 50 or 60, or if they're actively recruiting members from the current students to try to make the 98 "members", and a doll????

[Col. Nathan R. Jessep]

Man, I'm beginning to show my age here. We used to have 96 band members, last time I saw the band it looked about half as big, hence the 50 number.

For decades it was 98 guys and a doll. The decline in the size of the band seems to parallel our decline in sports.

Diehard, what's your suggestion for fixing this problem?

R U telling us that a winning FB program increases band size?

[Diehard Pony]

Man, I'm beginning to show my age here. We used to have 96 band members, last time I saw the band it looked about half as big, hence the 50 number.

For decades it was 98 guys and a doll. The decline in the size of the band seems to parallel our decline in sports.

Diehard, what's your suggestion for fixing this problem?

R U telling us that a winning FB program increases band size?

Not directly, but indirectly. When the team wins (as it did in the 80's) their is not only more revenue to spread around, but much more interest in being in the band. A good friend of mine is in the alumni band, and he tells me that the problem with downsized band of today is as much a lack of interest as it is financial. In his day, they turned away applicants.

[couch 'em]

What I'm wondering if the current director, NOT IRVING DREIBOLT (sp?) is being a little too particular, and holding the current members to 50 or 60, or if they're actively recruiting members from the current students to try to make the 98 "members", and a doll????

We take anyone we can get. You just can't get people to join the band. Most people are turned off by the highschool experiance, and think it will be the same in college. Also, people don't want to go watch SMU football. Also, there is quite a social stigma against being in a marching band in high schools, and people think that it would be the same in college. People turn down scholarships because they don't want to be in band so much.