(08-07-2013 05:54 PM)Grungy Wrote:  

(08-07-2013 07:10 AM)MerseyOwl Wrote:  What would Bert Roth do?

Bert's last trip to Kyle Field was in '70.
Here's an image of the two bands, sitting next to each other.

The MOB didn't travel in '72 because of rain.
Bert declined to take The MOB to College Station for the remainder of his time as band director.

The MOB received standing ovations from the crowd in College Station in 1980. Seriously.

They played a series of patriotic songs, whether as a peace offering, or as a fall back because we were still in the game at half time (we actually won!!!) - - I've heard both versions - - - - the Aggie faithful were appreciative and proved to have short memories (at least the majority).

That was their first game back since 'the Reveille incident'.

It's been noted here that Aggies don't take well to being ridiculed. (Is that a shock or surprising?)

However, when opposing fans are well mannered, MY experience has been that it's a friendlier venue than playing the Longhorns in Austin.

First of all, +1 to everything MOBweb said. Especially about building your playing chops back up, and about not being afraid of going to A&M. The day the MOB fears to go onto that field is the day the terrorists will have won.

(08-09-2013 12:04 PM)Bay Area Owl Wrote:  If this game was being held in Rice Stadium on August 31, wouldn't the MOB perform almost certainly??? Has the MOB ever missed performing at a home game??? Somehow the MOB would find the time to be ready, and traveling to College Station is hardly a big burden.

Sure, the MOB would be there. They'd:
-get 40 or more freshmen into the uniform/instrument checkout database
-get all the freshmen to remember who the Dms and their section leader are
-size 130 people up for uniforms and distribute them
-check out instruments to about 80 people
-learn Fight Song, Bonnet, Rice's Honor, and at least page 1 of tags
-learn the halftime show music
-learn at least 3 more songs for time outs
-memorize the halftime formations
-build props
-learn how to scatter without impaling yourself or others on a trombone slide
-teach the new MOBsters how to not get heat exhaustion (important!)

All in the course of 3 practice hours. It's hard as hell to do all that in that time (at least, not without being as out of tune as the Stanford Band is...), and I don't think you're giving the volunteer student leadership enough credit here for what they do every season.

But to go to College Station, you'd have to add to that:
-memorizing where the tunnel and band section will be
-remembering if the hashmarks on the field are in a different place
-get the freshmen to remember who the event coordinators are
-signing up for spots on the bus
-redesign props so that they fit in the bus
-distribute per diem money and hotel keys to the entire band
-help all the freshmen make a friend that they'd feel at least mildly comfortable sharing a bed with on the trip
-get everyone's phone number so that nobody accidentally gets left in College Station (THE HORROR! )
-and a million other things that you forget about until disaster is about to strike, like getting our A/V to play nice with their soundsystem and jumbotron, or finding water for our coolers

I'm sure the volunteer student staff of the MOB appreciates the confidence you all have in their abilities, but it takes more than confidence to pull off an away trip. It takes time and passion. The MOB has all the passion in the world, but one week is not enough time. Not for a band that's made up of Rice students who all have many other things on their plates, both academic and extracurricular. It just isn't. I fervently wish that it was, but if my fervent wishing mattered, Rice would be defending Big XII champions and I'd be driving an Aston Martin DB9...

(08-12-2013 09:27 PM)Klobasnek Wrote:  First of all, +1 to everything MOBweb said. Especially about building your playing chops back up, and about not being afraid of going to A&M. The day the MOB fears to go onto that field is the day the terrorists will have won.

(08-09-2013 12:04 PM)Bay Area Owl Wrote:  If this game was being held in Rice Stadium on August 31, wouldn't the MOB perform almost certainly??? Has the MOB ever missed performing at a home game??? Somehow the MOB would find the time to be ready, and traveling to College Station is hardly a big burden.

Sure, the MOB would be there. They'd:
-get 40 or more freshmen into the uniform/instrument checkout database
-get all the freshmen to remember who the Dms and their section leader are
-size 130 people up for uniforms and distribute them
-check out instruments to about 80 people
-learn Fight Song, Bonnet, Rice's Honor, and at least page 1 of tags
-learn the halftime show music
-learn at least 3 more songs for time outs
-memorize the halftime formations
-build props
-learn how to scatter without impaling yourself or others on a trombone slide
-teach the new MOBsters how to not get heat exhaustion (important!)

All in the course of 3 practice hours. It's hard as hell to do all that in that time (at least, not without being as out of tune as the Stanford Band is...), and I don't think you're giving the volunteer student leadership enough credit here for what they do every season.

But to go to College Station, you'd have to add to that:
-memorizing where the tunnel and band section will be
-remembering if the hashmarks on the field are in a different place
-get the freshmen to remember who the event coordinators are
-signing up for spots on the bus
-redesign props so that they fit in the bus
-distribute per diem money and hotel keys to the entire band
-help all the freshmen make a friend that they'd feel at least mildly comfortable sharing a bed with on the trip
-get everyone's phone number so that nobody accidentally gets left in College Station (THE HORROR! )
-and a million other things that you forget about until disaster is about to strike, like getting our A/V to play nice with their soundsystem and jumbotron, or finding water for our coolers

I'm sure the volunteer student staff of the MOB appreciates the confidence you all have in their abilities, but it takes more than confidence to pull off an away trip. It takes time and passion. The MOB has all the passion in the world, but one week is not enough time. Not for a band that's made up of Rice students who all have many other things on their plates, both academic and extracurricular. It just isn't. I fervently wish that it was, but if my fervent wishing mattered, Rice would be defending Big XII champions and I'd be driving an Aston Martin DB9...

It's a 12:00 noon game time-- no need for hotel or per diem; only the cost of food for the band at the game (and, perhaps, donuts and coffee before getting on the bus).

This won't be a dead horse until September 1 - and maybe not then.

(08-12-2013 09:45 PM)OptimisticOwl Wrote:  This won't be a dead horse until September 1 - and maybe not then.

Yay! Let's keep it going then! I'd like to see the Fantasy MOB spread out over the field and create the shape of a dog with his legs up in the air as a MOB bugler plays "Reveille."

Then, over the boos, the Fantasy MOB PA announcer barks, "Atten-HUT!! Rise and sign! Rise and sign!"

At which point our little Manziel MOBster runs on the field with his six-foot Sharpie striking Heisman poses, and the rest of the Fantasy MOB fans out to spell the name "Johnny" in cursive script across the field (as they surge into "Johnny Be Good").

Then, just as the pitchforks and torches storm the field and the Fantasy MOB forms a series of dollar signs on the turf, a mysterious figure swoops in and steals the big Sharpie from Manziel. It's the real Terrell Owens!! (Trust me, he's available).

T.O. tells Manziel to leave the Sharpie'ing to the big boys; Johnny puts on a bib and baby's bonnet, begins a screaming tantrum, and starts breaking golf clubs over his knee.

By now it's a grim scene, and the surviving Fantasy MOBsters play "Taps" as they flee for their lives and someone here begins a thread on how best to honor our fallen comrades.

C'mon, guys, there are still 18 days. Make it happen. Let's start with locking down T.O. and life insurance policies.

(08-12-2013 10:21 PM)smackdaddy Wrote:  C'mon, guys, there are still 18 days. Make it happen. Let's start with locking down T.O. and life insurance policies.

I love the enthusiasm, really! I'd love to go. Do you have a contiguous block of 40-90 seats? On an aisle for access to large drums and instruments? Are they near the front of a section, with room for a conductor to stand and be seen? If not, then those 18 days don't mean a whole lot.

Are you expecting a halftime show? Because if TAMU runs their halftime in any way similar to Rice, then their athletic and/or marketing people have already scheduled something to fill what perhaps might at one time have been our slot.

It'd be great to have the band there, if only to play Bonnet, Fight Song, and Louie -- because you wouldn't get much else -- for the fans and the team. And because if there's any student group on campus that really puts their time and effort where their school spirit is, it's The MOB, and they should be there.

But here's the deal: (1) you have to convince Chuck, because the school-owned instruments and uniforms go (or don't go) where he says; The MOB acts as a representative group of the University and controlling it is Chuck's job. (2) you have to find a current undergraduate to organize volunteers, and the set of actual volunteers must yield sufficient members of the various musical parts such that it has a chance to sound good; a pep band might be enough, but it has to be well composed. I tell you now, if it won't sound good you'll have a hard time with #1 above. (3) you need to materialize a bus out of thin air, with food and/or money for such, and those pesky tickets/seats. (4) TAMU probably needs to sign off on there being a band, even if it's a pep group, but I don't know their policies so this is just a guess. (5) don't let the lawyers know if you're doing anything "unofficial"; you should see the liability release the students have to sign to go on even a day trip these days.

Can all of that be done in 18 days? Sure, if the stars are aligned (i.e. seats are found, TAMU doesn't say 'no'); that's why I said that the issues (way above) aren't insurmountable.

But you have to convince Chuck; if the answer in the end is still "no", take it up with him -- just don't rag on the students. The MOBsters are your most consistent, purely voluntary student attendees and supporters of the team.

(08-12-2013 06:52 PM)Rick Gerlach Wrote:  

(08-07-2013 05:54 PM)Grungy Wrote:  

(08-07-2013 07:10 AM)MerseyOwl Wrote:  What would Bert Roth do?

Bert's last trip to Kyle Field was in '70.
Here's an image of the two bands, sitting next to each other.

The MOB didn't travel in '72 because of rain.
Bert declined to take The MOB to College Station for the remainder of his time as band director.

The MOB received standing ovations from the crowd in College Station in 1980. Seriously.

They played a series of patriotic songs, whether as a peace offering, or as a fall back because we were still in the game at half time (we actually won!!!) - - I've heard both versions - - - - the Aggie faithful were appreciative and proved to have short memories (at least the majority).

Since we performed the show we had rehearsed, it was not a response to the halftime score. And, of course, the Aggies stood up. They had no choice because the MOB unfurled Old Glory at the end.

(08-12-2013 09:45 PM)OptimisticOwl Wrote:  This won't be a dead horse until September 1 - and maybe not then.

Unfortunately, I fear you are correct.

(08-12-2013 09:27 PM)Klobasnek Wrote:  First of all, +1 to everything MOBweb said. Especially about building your playing chops back up, and about not being afraid of going to A&M. The day the MOB fears to go onto that field is the day the terrorists will have won.

(08-09-2013 12:04 PM)Bay Area Owl Wrote:  If this game was being held in Rice Stadium on August 31, wouldn't the MOB perform almost certainly??? Has the MOB ever missed performing at a home game??? Somehow the MOB would find the time to be ready, and traveling to College Station is hardly a big burden.

Sure, the MOB would be there. They'd:
-get 40 or more freshmen into the uniform/instrument checkout database
-get all the freshmen to remember who the Dms and their section leader are
-size 130 people up for uniforms and distribute them
-check out instruments to about 80 people
-learn Fight Song, Bonnet, Rice's Honor, and at least page 1 of tags
-learn the halftime show music
-learn at least 3 more songs for time outs
-memorize the halftime formations
-build props
-learn how to scatter without impaling yourself or others on a trombone slide
-teach the new MOBsters how to not get heat exhaustion (important!)

All in the course of 3 practice hours. It's hard as hell to do all that in that time (at least, not without being as out of tune as the Stanford Band is...), and I don't think you're giving the volunteer student leadership enough credit here for what they do every season.

But to go to College Station, you'd have to add to that:
-memorizing where the tunnel and band section will be
-remembering if the hashmarks on the field are in a different place
-get the freshmen to remember who the event coordinators are
-signing up for spots on the bus
-redesign props so that they fit in the bus
-distribute per diem money and hotel keys to the entire band
-help all the freshmen make a friend that they'd feel at least mildly comfortable sharing a bed with on the trip
-get everyone's phone number so that nobody accidentally gets left in College Station (THE HORROR! )
-and a million other things that you forget about until disaster is about to strike, like getting our A/V to play nice with their soundsystem and jumbotron, or finding water for our coolers

I'm sure the volunteer student staff of the MOB appreciates the confidence you all have in their abilities, but it takes more than confidence to pull off an away trip. It takes time and passion. The MOB has all the passion in the world, but one week is not enough time. Not for a band that's made up of Rice students who all have many other things on their plates, both academic and extracurricular. It just isn't. I fervently wish that it was, but if my fervent wishing mattered, Rice would be defending Big XII champions and I'd be driving an Aston Martin DB9...

I don't understand this argument. In the past 15 or so years, almost all of the games in the first week of school have been in the city of Houston, and I'm pretty sure the MOB has made them all. A 90 minute trip to College Station isn't much different logistically than a trip to Reliant or UH.

This is truly proof that God loves the Mob and wants them to be happy. SO MUCH MATERIAL HERE......A$M alone is usually enough to fill a couple of shows, but Johnny has blessed us with so, so, so much more.

AND......we don't want to go.

I'm embarrassed.

(08-12-2013 11:17 PM)S.A. Owl Wrote:  

(08-12-2013 06:52 PM)Rick Gerlach Wrote:  The MOB received standing ovations from the crowd in College Station in 1980. Seriously.

They played a series of patriotic songs, whether as a peace offering, or as a fall back because we were still in the game at half time (we actually won!!!) - - I've heard both versions - - - - the Aggie faithful were appreciative and proved to have short memories (at least the majority).

Since we performed the show we had rehearsed, it was not a response to the halftime score. And, of course, the Aggies stood up. They had no choice because the MOB unfurled Old Glory at the end.

The MOB also got a standing O from the Aggies in October '82, with a Christmas show that ended with "Silent Night".

The Hawaii show in '84 was good, but I don't recall the crowd standing.

A solo show could still work, if the Aggies haven't already given away the other half of halftime. One person runs to their place in what would have been the formations. A Show Assistant would be good, precluding the need for a musician that can actually sound like something, alone, in front of 80,000 people. The SA acts out three or four things, then leaves the field. The crowd looks on in confusion.

Or one MOBster walks to the center of the 50 with a bar stool and a 9" TV/VCR, pushes "Play" and sits, rapt, watching the tiny show that unfolds for 6 minutes. The show could be real, with a pre-recorded MOB saying and playing whatever they like. MOBster stands, retrieves the TV and stool, and exits.

It could be the Milli Vanilli halftime show. All pre recorded

(08-13-2013 11:56 AM)tramile12 Wrote:  This is truly proof that God loves the Mob and wants them to be happy. SO MUCH MATERIAL HERE......A$M alone is usually enough to fill a couple of shows, but Johnny has blessed us with so, so, so much more.

AND......we don't want to go.

I'm embarrassed.

Would you guys please stop saying that the MOB doesn't want to put on the show that writes itself?

The MOB would love to skewer Johnny Football at the A&M game.

Chuck and his exec staff made a judgment call that it just isn't feasible for the band to go. Chuck has been at this for more than a decade now. He knows what the band can and cannot pull off. He has more experience and knowledge about what goes into these decisions than any of us here.

We all wish the MOB was going, MOB included. The schedule didn't work out such that the MOB could go. It stinks, but that's how it goes. Sometimes, even when there's a will, there isn't a way.

Beating up on the football team's largest, loudest supporters is not doing anybody any good.

waltgreenberg Wrote:It's a 12:00 noon game time-- no need for hotel or per diem; only the cost of food for the band at the game (and, perhaps, donuts and coffee before getting on the bus).

I would think that's irrelevant to the decision-making process, since that wasn't announced until relatively recently; these sorts of decisions have to be made months in advance, before A&M starts selling tickets for the visiting band section.

Also, the band can't really eat lunch at the game, for obvious reasons.

(08-13-2013 05:58 PM)Klobasnek Wrote:  

(08-13-2013 11:56 AM)tramile12 Wrote:  This is truly proof that God loves the Mob and wants them to be happy. SO MUCH MATERIAL HERE......A$M alone is usually enough to fill a couple of shows, but Johnny has blessed us with so, so, so much more.

AND......we don't want to go.

I'm embarrassed.

Would you guys please stop saying that the MOB doesn't want to put on the show that writes itself?

The MOB would love to skewer Johnny Football at the A&M game.

Chuck and his exec staff made a judgment call that it just isn't feasible for the band to go. Chuck has been at this for more than a decade now. He knows what the band can and cannot pull off. He has more experience and knowledge about what goes into these decisions than any of us here.

We all wish the MOB was going, MOB included. The schedule didn't work out such that the MOB could go. It stinks, but that's how it goes. Sometimes, even when there's a will, there isn't a way.

Beating up on the football team's largest, loudest supporters is not doing anybody any good.

waltgreenberg Wrote:It's a 12:00 noon game time-- no need for hotel or per diem; only the cost of food for the band at the game (and, perhaps, donuts and coffee before getting on the bus).

I would think that's irrelevant to the decision-making process, since that wasn't announced until relatively recently; these sorts of decisions have to be made months in advance, before A&M starts selling tickets for the visiting band section.

Also, the band can't really eat lunch at the game, for obvious reasons.

??? Even if it was a night game (7:00pm kickoff), they wouldn't have needed per diem or hotel stay. We're talking about a 90 minute bus ride.

To add onto Grungy's list, the MOB got a standing O at Kyle in 1988, too. Show was built around patriotic themes and the election. (The 1987 home show for Arkansas - not so much. Definitely got in trouble for that one. Sorry, having a flashback.)

Not sure about the lunch statement from Klobasnek, though - that's what the third quarter always was for. Getting a bite to eat, with at least some of the band always around to play if called for. Maybe times have changed there, too.

(08-13-2013 10:24 AM)Ammonium Wrote:  I don't understand this argument. In the past 15 or so years, almost all of the games in the first week of school have been in the city of Houston, and I'm pretty sure the MOB has made them all.

For entire historical range 2000-2012:
Mean = 10 days
Median = 5 days, which is the same lead time as for TAMU this year.

But... considering the sample points that were off-campus, it becomes:
Mean = 11 days
Median = 12 days

I also point out that Rice significantly changed the rules on us regarding recruitment of Freshman around 2004 or so. The rules applied to all student organizations, but in the spirit of "fairness" we were prevented from actively soliciting new members prior to O-Week. That solicitation prior to 2004 had been crucial in regards to being able to make plans and gather commitments from new students well in advance of the first performance.

So those only other "travel 5 days after the start of class" get an asterisk in my book and swing the numbers further out of favor w.r.t. the TAMU timeline.

(08-13-2013 10:24 AM)Ammonium Wrote:  A 90 minute trip to College Station isn't much different logistically than a trip to Reliant or UH.

I agree that the logistics of getting people onto a vehicle, waiting for the vehicle to arrive at the destination, and later returning are about the same. Getting this group ready for a public performance entails more than that.

I don't like making excuses for The MOB, even though I've given a few of them myself. I do believe that some of the excuses have been rather weak arguments and that most of the reasons given could be overcome given enough effort. But I do have an insider's perspective, having been in charge of coordinating membership and event planning for one academic year. There's more to it than simply wanting to make something so.

Tenacity is great, and enough spirit and drive can get a lot done. Maybe today's students don't have as much as they had back in the day, but if that's so then the MOBsters are at least the less-guilty of today's students. If you ask them, I think that most would want to go. But because a decision was made by a select few this board is making broad generalizations regarding 100+ students.

You can blame the coach for choosing the plays, or the QB for failed execution, but you can't blame everyone standing on the sidelines who wishes they could be out there.

We want the MOB to go insult the Aggies at their place while outnumbered 500-1, and we're supposed to be the geniuses?

(08-13-2013 10:06 PM)MOBweb Wrote:  I also point out that Rice significantly changed the rules on us regarding recruitment of Freshman around 2004 or so. The rules applied to all student organizations, but in the spirit of "fairness" we were prevented from actively soliciting new members prior to O-Week. That solicitation prior to 2004 had been crucial in regards to being able to make plans and gather commitments from new students well in advance of the first performance.

That sounds like a typical Rice approach, at least when it comes to student life: when faced with isolated cases of something not working well, adopt a sweeping policy with a host of unintended consequences, rather than dealing with the actual problem.

It would have probably been an upperclassman only trip anyway since the freshman would not have been recruited and prepared by that time. The Aggies will probably not be marching freshman since the freshman start doing other chores for the first year.

(08-14-2013 06:35 AM)georgewebb Wrote:  

(08-13-2013 10:06 PM)MOBweb Wrote:  I also point out that Rice significantly changed the rules on us regarding recruitment of Freshman around 2004 or so. The rules applied to all student organizations, but in the spirit of "fairness" we were prevented from actively soliciting new members prior to O-Week. That solicitation prior to 2004 had been crucial in regards to being able to make plans and gather commitments from new students well in advance of the first performance.

That sounds like a typical Rice approach, at least when it comes to student life: when faced with isolated cases of something not working well, adopt a sweeping policy with a host of unintended consequences, rather than dealing with the actual problem.

(08-13-2013 11:38 PM)OptimisticOwl Wrote:  We want the MOB to go insult the Aggies at their place while outnumbered 500-1, and we're supposed to be the geniuses?

Exactly. That's why the fact that Johnny Manziel is the gift that keeps on giving in terms of punch lines for jokes is paradoxically the worst thing that could have happened in regards to theoretical halftime show material. The last datum point is 19 years old now, but my guess is that the Aggie fanbase has perhaps mellowed out a bit in the ensuing years. However, one thing I do not suspect that they are mellow about is the issues being experienced by their Heisman Trophy quarterback who's supposed to make them a national title contender. I suspect anything that possibly could be perceived as making fun of Manziel would be received very poorly (and historically the Aggies are very good at seeing insults where there are none). The flip side would have been that The MOB would then have been criticized by our own fans for not making fun of Manziel - truly a no-win situation....

For what it's worth, I'm with Chuck on this one. My heart says go to College Station; my head says stay home, for all the reasons that Grungy and MOBweb and Klobasnek gave. Primarily, it's not money nor "fear" but a simple matter of logistics: given the circumstances, it's just not possible to assemble a band that will represent the university well while encouraging freshmen retention. Over the long run, it's the right thing to do.

You may now resume flogging a deceased equine....