Because the band needs new uniforms, which cost $140,000, the athletic department has come to a joint conclusion with the directors to not send the band to Arizona to save the 40,000 in expenses for new uniforms next year. The Athletic Department finances all band expenses for away trips and home, and they ultimately write the check for these uniforms. So, I would like to see fans email Skip and let him know that the absence of Tiger Band in any game is detrimental to the football teams success. If anybody knows a way to raise the 40,000 dollars to send a 45 member band to Arizona, please contact the athletic department. Any well-off Alumni willing to sustain the life giving support of the band for football games, please consider helping out the band. Or possibly consider pledging money for uniforms next year in the event not enough money is available. Please spread the word fellow fans, this is a very important issue. There must be a way to raise money. Thanks for your help.
I can't afford to send the band to Arizona but I'll chip in toward the rental of a portable superbad sound system they could use to play the LSU fight song on.
I'm somewhat surprised this has not stirred up any reaction or response. I thought fans thought Tiger Band was a huge part of football. I know this, if something screwy happens, and we lose that game, this will be a top three reason. I think if it were Virginia Tech, this would be more of an issue.
Sounds kind of crazy, ...BUT.... the people who are probably going to howl the most about this are also the ones who are complaining about the ticket surcharges. Things cost money. This is a good example of why surcharges should have happened tears ago. I agree that we need the band on the road. They are a huge part of LSU football and put in an unbelievable amount of work/practice. Not having them does diminish our chances of winning - hopefully something will work out.
The game is on national TV on the Superstation. And no band. Not even a pep band. This is an outrage. Make some noise. The Athletic Dept can find the money. Hell, they can borrow it agianst next years windfall. SEND THE PEP BAND TO ARIZONA! Email Skip at [email protected] or better yet Email Herb Vincent. Herb answers his email. [email protected]
Thanks Red. I totally forgot about the fact that it is a nationally telelvised game. In light of that, this is even more distressing. All I ask is people to email skip and ask him to please consider setting up funds all fans and alumni (and maybe TAF people if they can be persuaded) can contribute to. I understand the budget concerns, and that this is a somewhat low priority game, but people across the nation will look unfavorably on LSU if we can't even afford to send our band. I mean didn't Auburn send a band to USC? Ok, so Arizona isn't USC, but it still holds the same principle. If 40,000 fans contribute one dollar at this weekends game, then that's forty thousand right? I'm a student, and more than willing to fork out a dollar, aren't you? My point is, it's seems a lot of people are willing to look the other way on this, and I think the risks are dangerous and bigger than our football record. Let me know what ya'll think?
