tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8147187289317930576.post6888768827626250717..comments2024-03-28T01:23:31.619-07:00Comments on Just South of North: A Northwest sports, outdoor adventure and humor blog: EWU cuts marching bandBrandon Hansenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02940742697742354189noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8147187289317930576.post-36650773040250472892009-08-13T16:06:06.945-07:002009-08-13T16:06:06.945-07:00Admitting my bias as a (retired) marching band fre...Admitting my bias as a (retired) marching band freak, I think they will notice the absence and regret the decision. As the previous commenter noted, $30,000 a year is a cheap way (dirt cheap!) to organize a core fan base and boost school spirit.<br /><br />I would offer as an example an incident from my high school days, where before the game a player carelessly knocked down one of the flag team as they ran to the stadium, injuring her (lightly). As a result our director forbid us from any cheering for the first half. The fans noticed immediately. The coach came to apologize at halftime. A large group of enthusiastic kids acting in unison make a big difference.<br /><br />On the other hand, the former band director was getting paid squat. EWU apparently does not appreciate what they had.Dan Eastwoodhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14105563883467108602noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8147187289317930576.post-52924817556688893152009-08-13T13:46:16.341-07:002009-08-13T13:46:16.341-07:00The Athletic Department spent about 30,000 over tw...The Athletic Department spent about 30,000 over two years to make sure a member of the golf team could have room/board, tuition, and the like. That golfer responded by hardly ever practicing, and being 50 over par at the Big Sky Championships, breaking the conference record pretty handily in the process. Glad we're spending our money wisely at EWU. People want to say that marching bands don't sell tickets - well quite frankly, neither does EWU. Nor will they.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8147187289317930576.post-87856223374322572182009-08-13T11:42:16.007-07:002009-08-13T11:42:16.007-07:00The average EWU student/fan doesn't care. EWU...The average EWU student/fan doesn't care. EWU is a second-tier state school, with a large commuter population, and very little tradition. I'm sure you would have difficulty finding a student who knows the tune to the fight song much less the words. Texas, Michigan, Ohio State, and even WSU don't have that problem. One could argue the on-campus students go to football games because, in Cheney, there's not much else to do. At most univerities going to the game is IS the thing to do. I don't think that the problem is with the current generation - the problem is with Eastern's size and tradition.danbartnoreply@blogger.com