BrettJollyComedyHour

From your lips, etc.

I've heard at least one member was present at every event they requested. It was usually Austin, unfortunately.

OldGuy is Chaifetz's burner account, lol.

From what I've heard they don't even offer food or appreciation if those events are at odd times. They just assume they'll be there.

I've only ever known it as MacArthur Park. Chet Atkins and Jerry Reed have a great instrumental version on their Me & Jerry album.

All they have to do is just not be jerks to the band. It's not really like they're asking for much. Give them back control over what they do and the problem is mostly solved.

I would let them know. They don't listen to the band. If enough people said something then maybe something would happen.

Not a bad idea.

If you know any donors who can raise hell with Chris May, they'd be the first I'd go to.

The worry here seems to be they'll just replace them with the DJ and not even bother trying.

Except we never reach enlightenment, lol.

This is unfair. The people considering continuing it have given just as much and do not deserve to be attacked. E: I get the sentiment, but this comes off the wrong way in my opinion.

Color me the eternal optimist on that front. I'm not a big fan of bastardization nor am I losing institutions, but the folks I know who are choosing to try to trudge on are doing it for the right reasons; AD be damned.

To speak to this, a few current alumni are trying to keep it alive contingent on demands being met, but the people I know aren't optimistic about it. My thinking is always just to outlast the a$$holes even if new ones take their place.

Couldn't have stated any of this better myself, guys. Thanks for this.

Yeah, no matter how the team is doing, it's still fun.

I'd have to imagine the same reason Hasahn never got better at free throws, lol.

Would be nice to have an AD that isn't a businessperson playing as someone who cares about athletics. A former coach would be amazing.

I was with you up until now. Pestello has plenty to be criticized for, but May plays Grima to his King Theoden when it comes to any non-donor complaints.

I'm out of reactions, but yes I agree.

Band Director is paid. Everyone else is volunteering their time for next to nothing in return. Students used to get a modest scholarship each semester until a few years ago when they discontinued it. Pep band is/was also a class one could take at the University to go towards fine arts requirements at 0.5 a credit hour per semester. The only requirement was to show up to a certain number of games. E: I'll add here, too, that the director uses his own money for instrument repairs, new equipment, new drums, etc. He used to have a standing P.O. at a music shop which the athletic department used to cover. Most of what you see on the stand was paid for out of pocket by his director salary, which is not much.

They try to make themselves look smart doing it, which is the kicker.

George Mason, for instance, has a basketball specific band plus several other smaller groups/ensembles to play for other events/sports. The "Green Machine" as they are called, are basketball ONLY. SLU was trying to make what used to be the basketball only band do absolutely everything with the same distribution of personnel.

The majority of the band these past few years has been alumni. Alumni have full time jobs and families and can usually attend basketball games only. If you add in trying to schedule all kinds of things last minute, engagement goes down. Athletics doesn't or refuses to understand or appreciate this, so people just stop showing up and it makes it hard for them to play anything. Add in to the fact that Athletics didn't listen to a word of their concern and the director gets burnt out but AD tried to make it look like it wasn't their fault. Source: Was in band when I was at SLU and am still tight with current members.

Hockey, too.