Judging by the reactions of some admin to the pep band, which is an extension of the MRDs, I think it's pretty obvious they didn't want to spend the money on them.
Sometimes I wonder if they even realize what kind of ambassador the MRD's are for JMU. Sending half the band to stand on the field playing stand tunes isn't the best way to show off JMU.
They should be reminded constantly that the precedent was set with JSU. Saying there was a limit is a load of crap. They were cheap and didn't want to send the full product.

(01-11-2017 11:45 AM)DoubleDogDare Wrote:  No need to apologize, I never felt "attacked." I find it more concerning that you thought I had illogical posts (especially after you agreed or expressed an understanding with the majority of them).

However, I'm sorry you felt I was rude. Perhaps some perspective I found in a very quick google search will explain what you felt to be a "lame excuse"....
Urban Dictionary - "...considered a term of affection..."
Huffington Post - "The phrase “band geek” might sound like a derisive label, but to those who wore the chinstrap proudly, it can just as easily be a term of endearment."

I'm also sorry the MRDs,who were able to make the trip, and I'm sure who tried their hardest to make up for not being at full strength, left you underwhelmed.

But seriously is your estimate 200 or 350, I'm confused.

They are more Nerd than Geek!

(01-12-2017 02:32 PM)BSKB 24 Wrote:  

(01-11-2017 11:45 AM)DoubleDogDare Wrote:  No need to apologize, I never felt "attacked." I find it more concerning that you thought I had illogical posts (especially after you agreed or expressed an understanding with the majority of them).

However, I'm sorry you felt I was rude. Perhaps some perspective I found in a very quick google search will explain what you felt to be a "lame excuse"....
Urban Dictionary - "...considered a term of affection..."
Huffington Post - "The phrase “band geek” might sound like a derisive label, but to those who wore the chinstrap proudly, it can just as easily be a term of endearment."

I'm also sorry the MRDs,who were able to make the trip, and I'm sure who tried their hardest to make up for not being at full strength, left you underwhelmed.

But seriously is your estimate 200 or 350, I'm confused.

They are more Nerd than Geek!

BSKB, you are walking right on top of a very narrow fence.

Nerds that can typically out-drink the rest!

(01-12-2017 03:40 PM)HyperDuke Wrote:  Nerds that can typically out-drink the rest!

And kick W&M frat guys' a$$es....

(01-12-2017 02:06 PM)bjk3047 Wrote:  I kinda have to side with Hyper regarding admin. If there was anything outside our control, wouldn't they be immediately forthcoming with said logistical limitations? Certainly if I were them, I'd be more than happy to shift the blame away from JMU powers that be. Being met with silence is almost akin to pleading the 5th.

I doubt the handful of us arguing here about it is going to convince the admin they need to go into crisis control mode and make a statement. Ninety-nine percent of JMU Nation is online looking for championship swag, and most of them probably don't even realize the full band wasn't there.

At this point, it's better for them to leave well enough alone. Enjoy the victory!

(01-12-2017 04:48 PM)91Alum Wrote:  I doubt the handful of us arguing here about it is going to convince the admin they need to go into crisis control mode and make a statement. Ninety-nine percent of JMU Nation is online looking for championship swag, and most of them probably don't even realize the full band wasn't there.

At this point, it's better for them to leave well enough alone. Enjoy the victory!

Oh trust me, I could not be more thrilled for the win. But being thrilled for the win and being supremely disappointed with how the band situation was handled are far from mutually exclusive. I was simply speaking to the fact that several emails were sent to several people, and all were met with radio silence. That's all the indictment you need.

You don't need to make a public statement to respond to an email quickly outlining the reasons it wasn't your fault (if that were actually the case).

Leaving well enough alone will put the band in exactly the same situation next year in Frisco. And that's the problem.

Not to dig up old dirt, but I learned from a band student that their 2018 trip to Europe was recently cancelled; The MRDs were travelling to Spain to play in the 2018 New Years Day parade somewhere over there. The MRDs typically travel abroad every 3 years or so, and each member pays their own way (maybe 60% of the group participates? give or take), but the Spain itinerary had them returning to the US late in the day of the next National Championship game, and so to make sure that the whole group was available in case of another trip to Frisco, there won't be any conflicts scheduled next season. It would seem that JMU is at least positioning to take the full ensemble in the event that we return to Frisco in the future, so that's a plus (unless you were a student or parent excited to go to Spain I guess.).

$5 says they still won't take the full group next year. They just didn't want any conflicts for the 200 they want there.

Sorry, pretty jaded on this topic.

To cancel a trip so many were looking forward to they better have intentions to bring the entire JMU MRD's. If not... they are going to have a mess on their hands.
If I were one of these that would not get to go to Europe AND the National Championship game.... I would be incredibly angry (to put it nicely).
I hope they realize the passion of the MRD's and pep band and how so many give back to JMU athletics after they graduate. Something like that could be enough to destroy any chances of them supporting later. I just hope that JMU will do the right thing this time. Please do the right thing.

(02-20-2017 07:49 PM)JMad03 Wrote:  To cancel a trip so many were looking forward to they better have intentions to bring the entire JMU MRD's. If not... they are going to have a mess on their hands.
If I were one of these that would not get to go to Europe AND the National Championship game.... I would be incredibly angry (to put it nicely).
I hope they realize the passion of the MRD's and pep band and how so many give back to JMU athletics after they graduate. Something like that could be enough to destroy any chances of them supporting later. I just hope that JMU will do the right thing this time. Please do the right thing.

There's already a mess from Frisco this past year. The fallout is unknown but some think it will be significant come the 17-18 season. As we all know, the MRD's a pretty loyal to JMU but even those 250 that did go to Frisco feel like the group as a whole was disrespected with the way it was handled.

The kids aren't happy, I could only imagine the head butting happening between the admin and staff.

I haven't read all the posts here so forgive me if this was covered. JMU spent $250k sending the band members that went to Frisco. That is significant costs for any program let alone one that already operates in the red.

We all love the band. They are as much a part of the JMU experience as The Quad Or Wilson Hall. Money decisions have to be made and that is just part of life.

By the way, the MRDs halftime show was awesome. They never disappoint.

(02-25-2017 08:18 AM)JMUNation Wrote:  I haven't read all the posts here so forgive me if this was covered. JMU spent $250k sending the band members that went to Frisco. That is significant costs for any program let alone one that already operates in the red.

We all love the band. They are as much a part of the JMU experience as The Quad Or Wilson Hall. Money decisions have to be made and that is just part of life.

By the way, the MRDs halftime show was awesome. They never disappoint.

I feel this thread would have only been about 5 pages if that dollar amount was mentioned up front.

(02-25-2017 08:18 AM)JMUNation Wrote:  I haven't read all the posts here so forgive me if this was covered. JMU spent $250k sending the band members that went to Frisco. That is significant costs for any program let alone one that already operates in the red.

We all love the band. They are as much a part of the JMU experience as The Quad Or Wilson Hall. Money decisions have to be made and that is just part of life.

By the way, the MRDs halftime show was awesome. They never disappoint.

I can guarantee the hotel bar/room service/food bill for our non-rooting admin could have sent quite a few more band students. And I hate that you're doing this to me, but I'll say it again. The halftime show was the quietest & worst of the season. They literally could only stand still and play because they were at 40%. You want to re-ignite this fire, I'll argue til the end.

Losers make excuses for why they can't do the right thing. Charlie King is a self-important loser.

(02-25-2017 08:49 AM)JMU83 Wrote:  

(02-25-2017 08:18 AM)JMUNation Wrote:  I haven't read all the posts here so forgive me if this was covered. JMU spent $250k sending the band members that went to Frisco. That is significant costs for any program let alone one that already operates in the red.

We all love the band. They are as much a part of the JMU experience as The Quad Or Wilson Hall. Money decisions have to be made and that is just part of life.

By the way, the MRDs halftime show was awesome. They never disappoint.

I feel this thread would have only been about 5 pages if that dollar amount was mentioned up front.

How much of that was NCAA money??

How much money was saved by not sending any band to Fargo?

How much money did they turn away by not letting alumni fundraiser to send more band members?

(02-20-2017 03:57 PM)Deez Nuts Wrote:  Not to dig up old dirt, but I learned from a band student that their 2018 trip to Europe was recently cancelled; The MRDs were travelling to Spain to play in the 2018 New Years Day parade somewhere over there. The MRDs typically travel abroad every 3 years or so, and each member pays their own way (maybe 60% of the group participates? give or take), but the Spain itinerary had them returning to the US late in the day of the next National Championship game, and so to make sure that the whole group was available in case of another trip to Frisco, there won't be any conflicts scheduled next season. It would seem that JMU is at least positioning to take the full ensemble in the event that we return to Frisco in the future, so that's a plus (unless you were a student or parent excited to go to Spain I guess.).

Interesting. I live in Spain, wonder where they do a parade on New Year's Day.

(02-20-2017 03:57 PM)Deez Nuts Wrote:  Not to dig up old dirt, but I learned from a band student that their 2018 trip to Europe was recently cancelled; The MRDs were travelling to Spain to play in the 2018 New Years Day parade somewhere over there. The MRDs typically travel abroad every 3 years or so, and each member pays their own way (maybe 60% of the group participates? give or take), but the Spain itinerary had them returning to the US late in the day of the next National Championship game, and so to make sure that the whole group was available in case of another trip to Frisco, there won't be any conflicts scheduled next season. It would seem that JMU is at least positioning to take the full ensemble in the event that we return to Frisco in the future, so that's a plus (unless you were a student or parent excited to go to Spain I guess.).

I hope they at least get them to go to the Rose Bowl instead, which while not Spain is one of the premiere parades for a college band. It would have the added benefit if the people covering it can say "and after this parade the JMU band will be traveling to Frisco Texas to support the Dukes in the NCAA FCS national championship game".

Still probably a sh¡t time to be an MRD underclassmen.

Would be amazing for the MRDs to do the Rose Parade.