Unacceptable Seating for Band in New Moody

[DiamondM]

Here is the email I just sent Rick Hart:

Rick,



I was dismayed to learn this weekend that in the new Moody bowl configuration, the Mustang Band, which currently has 90 members, has been allocated just 35 seats, and those are not courtside. This is absolutely unacceptable. As Larry Brown points out in the recent advertisement for the "Mob," student participation is crucial for the kind of basketball program SMU is aiming to be. The best teams with the most feared venues do not boot their most dedicated, loudest group of students to the upper levels, and cut down their seats to less than half the current size.

I feel as if I come with some authority on that subject, since after graduating from SMU after 4 years in the Mustang Band, I went to law school at Duke, where I had guaranteed front row baseline seats by playing the trombone in the Band. The beauty of Cameron, of course, is that the best seats in the house are reserved for students and the Band, and not the rich donors who wait years to purchase their seats above the lower bowl (or in a few rows under each basket on each baseline).

With Larry Brown at the helm, our AAC schedule, and a team on the rise, Moody could have that same Cameron atmosphere. Except that SMU seems more interested in the almighty dollar -- willing to sell the courtside to big donors who will still likely manage to show up only to the "big" games, leaving those seats empty for the games the band will still be there for. Plus, those big donors don't tend to make a whole lot of noise even when they are in attendance. Anyway, much like in Cameron, even the seats "above the bar" are still very close to the action, and donors who do regularly attend the games (like me) have to recognize that having a loud lower bowl with students is more important than being 4 rows closer to the court.

The reality is that if SMU wants a venue that is formidable to visiting opponents, not to mention if it wants to appropriately recognize the constant, loyal contributions of the Mustang Band, it must maximize both the number and the enthusiasm of students in the lower bowl seats by putting the Mustang Band -- the entire Mustang Band -- in those seats, even if it means 90 fewer paid-for seats on one of the baselines close to the court.


Jennifer Henry
SMU 94, Duke Law 97

[max the wonder dog]

Here is the email I just sent Rick Hart:

Rick,



I was dismayed to learn this weekend that in the new Moody bowl configuration, the Mustang Band, which currently has 90 members, has been allocated just 35 seats, and those are not courtside. This is absolutely unacceptable. As Larry Brown points out in the recent advertisement for the "Mob," student participation is crucial for the kind of basketball program SMU is aiming to be. The best teams with the most feared venues do not boot their most dedicated, loudest group of students to the upper levels, and cut down their seats to less than half the current size.

I feel as if I come with some authority on that subject, since after graduating from SMU after 4 years in the Mustang Band, I went to law school at Duke, where I had guaranteed front row baseline seats by playing the trombone in the Band. The beauty of Cameron, of course, is that the best seats in the house are reserved for students and the Band, and not the rich donors who wait years to purchase their seats above the lower bowl (or in a few rows under each basket on each baseline).

With Larry Brown at the helm, our AAC schedule, and a team on the rise, Moody could have that same Cameron atmosphere. Except that SMU seems more interested in the almighty dollar -- willing to sell the courtside to big donors who will still likely manage to show up only to the "big" games, leaving those seats empty for the games the band will still be there for. Plus, those big donors don't tend to make a whole lot of noise even when they are in attendance. Anyway, much like in Cameron, even the seats "above the bar" are still very close to the action, and donors who do regularly attend the games (like me) have to recognize that having a loud lower bowl with students is more important than being 4 rows closer to the court.

The reality is that if SMU wants a venue that is formidable to visiting opponents, not to mention if it wants to appropriately recognize the constant, loyal contributions of the Mustang Band, it must maximize both the number and the enthusiasm of students in the lower bowl seats by putting the Mustang Band -- the entire Mustang Band -- in those seats, even if it means 90 fewer paid-for seats on one of the baselines close to the court.


Jennifer Henry
SMU 94, Duke Law 97

Based on the seating chart for the upcoming season, it appears your criticism is unfair. It shows the Mustang Band seated in the same location as when I was an undergrad and Gene Phillips and Ira Terrell were packing Moody. As for only 35 seats for the band, that's about what was there during that time. Trust me, a 35 person band can rock Moody. As for the remaining band members, they can still sit in the student sections inside the bowl.

[smusportspage]

I agree for what it is worth. Thanks for taking the time to write your letter. Band needs to be courtside, baseline. My fear is that it maybe too late to change for this season.

[Greenwich Pony]

I have to agree as well. The M Band should be courtside baseline, and more than 35 seats. They are our biggest and and consistently best fans. and often the only fans that make noise in Moody. I know we hope LB & Co. will pack Moody, but the band is our only reliable spirit squad and the shock troops of the (admittedly small) Mustang Army. If you want Moody loud and active, they have to be at the point of attack.

[DanFreibergerForHeisman]

Who cares about the location when there is a bigger concern about whether or not these seats have been tested to see if they are suitable for dancing.

[RE Tycoon]

I have never seen 90 band members at a bball game, so 35 sounds about right. I've also never seen a band spread out as much as our band at a bball or fball game. I'm sorry they won't won't have a whole section to lounge around and spread out, but this seems like the right move, pack it in like every other band in the country does.

Nobody has mentioned the "new" location, but I think they should be behind the basket or as close to the visitor bench as possible.

[SMU2007]

How many band members are at football games? Are there really that many more than 35?

[Pony147]

Aside from the limited capacity for the band, how are their seats affected? They look like they are in the same place they were in last year according to this chart

http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/smu ... Diagra.pdf

[Pony ^]

Honestly it looks about the same as last year seating wise. I don't think it matters where they are as Moody is compact enough to hear them loud and clear no matter what. 35 compared to 90 does seem a bit low though.

[mrydel]

Agree. Looks like a large full section in the end zone just like it has been.

[East Coast Mustang]

Yeah, they look pretty close to me. I understand the frustration here but the reality is that courtside seats = $$$ and allotting 90 of those to the band is probably not realistic.

[DiamondM]

Diamond M Club board members were informed by the directors this weekend that the seating chart is not reflective of where the actual seats have been allocated. They have told they will get 35 seats that will not be courtside.

And while I agree that the Band spreads out too much in the stands (both at football games and basketball games), 35 seats is not enough. One of the nice things about having such a small band (hooray, an upside to the small size so many of you complain about) is that unlike a 400 piece state school band, the entire band can, and does, play at basketball games. If you want that to continue, then they need more than 35 seats.

[Pony ^]

Diamond M Club board members were informed by the directors this weekend that the seating chart is not reflective of where the actual seats have been allocated. They have told they will get 35 seats that will not be courtside.

And while I agree that the Band spreads out too much in the stands (both at football games and basketball games), 35 seats is not enough. One of the nice things about having such a small band (hooray, an upside to the small size so many of you complain about) is that unlike a 400 piece state school band, the entire band can, and does, play at basketball games. If you want that to continue, then they need more than 35 seats.

Will the students in the band come back for the first game against UCONN?

[DiamondM]

I think many of them will. The alumni band will be filling in during break though, and I probably will play myself.

[East Coast Mustang]

I think many of them will. The alumni band will be filling in during break though, and I probably will play myself.

It's awesome that you and other alumni band members do that.