Sam rants about no pucks pep band....

Sam Minuteman · Post by **Sam Minuteman** » Sat Mar 08, 2008 12:33 pm

This is going to come out ripping the band a little, however I am a big fan of the band and had a lot of great friends in the band and had a heck of a time with band members at Umass both on the road and on campus however a couple things.

I had no idea band members got credits. I know there are a lot of walk on athletes, student managers, student trainers, cheerleaders (this info may not be current), and mascots who put in 3-5 hours per day minimum as well as travell that don't get any credits. These extracurricular (see extra, meaning above and beyond the curriculum which would mean no credit) activites students participate in "for the love of the game".

On the other hand those mentioned above in the past have had access to things like student athlete services such as tutoring (which not enough took advantage of when I was there, I know it helped me get through a couple classes and increase my G.P.A. significantly, swallowing my pride and asking for help). There may be some other "perks" such as travell, (although a 6 hour trip cramped into a van to Maine just to freeze yoru @$$ off in a 38 degree rain isn't much of a perk) pizza once in a while, and a couple t-shirts that the band doesn't get. Although me thinks the band has access to much of the same.

I completely understand wanting to be just another fan sometimes, not have to be completely politically correct especially at hockey games, and not to alway have to represent the team. I try not to bring up my experience too much but in this case I will. I was "on" for almost every major event as well as 30% of non revenue games, but I was able to take about 30% of the home hockey games off and enjoy myself. I liked having a few beers beforehand and going down to Mullins and getting crazy (this was 96-2000 BTW when Umass Hockey wasn't "the thing to do" on Friday nights that it is now). It is now my understanding that there are enough band members that they wouldn't have to "be the show" for all the games.

Auxillary people like the band, cheerleaders, mascots, exc. all have a feeling of self importance which is genrally higher than fact. People go to events for the sporting aspect and as a bonus enjoy everything else. Now if you want to garner more attention, alcolades, and respect one should increase the effort, apperances, and quality of the entertainment.

Finally I am fairly sure the band is going to be on a big fundraising drive to get the new multimillion dollar facility completed with all the "bells and whistles". That being said this would seem to be the time to increase your presence, I think the hockey fans, boosters, team, and alumni will be more likely to donate to the band if there IS a hockey hoop band.

Band thank you for the wonderfull work that you do at football and basketball games it is greatly apprecated.

Rocks22 · Post by **Rocks22** » Sat Mar 08, 2008 1:44 pm

I've said it before and I'll say it again, if Parks ever got around to getting a pep band together not only would I donate towards its operation, but I'd also put some money towards the new band building. However until that happens my donations are heading other places besides the band.

I'm sure we'll just hear about all the excuses about why it's impossible to have one, but there are tons of schools across the country with a lot less band resources than we have that figure out a way to do it. Hell, look at Lowell, they have a very good pep band and their resources pale compared to ours. Personally, I don't think we should ever be in the shadow of Lowell, especially in an area that we supposedly excel at.

We are officially the only team in Hockey East with no pep band. That quite frankly is pathetic.

http://www.wickedlocal.com/northandover ... x254758133

Lil Bit Special · Post by **Lil Bit Special** » Sat Mar 08, 2008 9:34 pm

it would be cool to have a pep band. Always thought so. I have never accepted the excuses given on why they arent there.

And yes, a lot of people give up their time for their team and university. I did it for 2 years, 6 days a week. I never wanted anything for it.

Sure the team meals were great, but riding the bus around new england and eating lousy pizza werent so much fun.

But I did it because I loved it. And wouldnt trade that experience for anything.

With that being said, there are no excuses on why they cant be there for the home game. No excuses.

hatsoff · Post by **hatsoff** » Sun Mar 09, 2008 10:06 am

The excuses of the past are just that excuses. My non-alum $ would line up immediately for support of a hockey pep band.

cox'n · Post by **cox'n** » Sun Mar 09, 2008 5:55 pm

Sure, a hockey band would be great, but as I already give to the university, the athletic department, and have season tickets to four UMass sports, there's no way I'd give a donation to support a hockey pep band. I think it's a tough sell given the current economic environment.

hatsoff · Post by **hatsoff** » Mon Feb 23, 2009 9:15 pm

I was really bothered a large group of fans beginning to loudly sing the Star Spangled Banner - intentionally badly - drowning out the soloist at the games this past weekend.

The time has come for a band to get to games and play the SSB just to put a damper on the disrespect.

What can be done, as a non-alum, to get this situation off ground zero?

comments?

Bubba · Post by **Bubba** » Mon Feb 23, 2009 9:28 pm

I 100% agree with Rox. And as hatsoff points out this is part of the solution of shutting up the moronic fans, drown them out and they give up on f bombs.

As for the band itself, they do need to ensure its a hockey band, maybe watch a few tapes of hockey bands. Make sure the people leading the band understnad the sport. I would hate to see a repeat of the last attempt where the band didn't know what to do, when to do it and seemed out of place.

UMass02 · Post by **UMass02** » Mon Feb 23, 2009 10:28 pm

hatsoff wrote:I was really bothered a large group of fans beginning to loudly sing the Star Spangled Banner - intentionally badly - drowning out the soloist at the games this past weekend.

Ditto. It really irked me to hear that.

Rocks22 · Post by **Rocks22** » Mon Feb 23, 2009 10:35 pm

hatsoff wrote: What can be done, as a non-alum, to get this situation off ground zero?

Hell, wish I knew what I as an alum, season ticket holder, Pond Club Member, UMass Athletic Association member, who has followed the team for the past 16 years, who has talked to Parks directly about a hockey band could to do to get this situation started!

Play the lottery?

InnervisionsUMASS · Post by **InnervisionsUMASS** » Tue Feb 24, 2009 8:27 am

The only time I've ever sang the national anthem at a sporting event was a UMASS Hockey game, when the person who was doing the games, the gentleman in the wheelchair, suddenly choaked up for some reason in the middle (right before "and the rockets..."). There was a brief pause, I looked at my friend Jeff and we belted out the next line and the whole student section picked it up and ran. I'm sure it sounded awful, but it was done out of respect. A few non students came down later in the game and thanked me and Jeff for getting it started again.

It saddens me to hear that there are some students making a mockery of not just our anthem, but also a soloist. If someone is singing it, you stay quiet. If it is just the song being played, that is a different story.

And yes, can we get a god damn freaking hockey band, please!

hatsoff · Post by **hatsoff** » Tue Feb 24, 2009 8:38 am

Maybe get the BU folks to get a chant going - Where's your Band

Mockery usually moves mountains...

gosox22 · Post by **gosox22** » Sat Oct 17, 2015 3:55 am

Bamford responded to a tweet last night that a hockey band is coming very soon. Yes!! Bamford continues his hot streak. What a hire this guy was.

MassMan06 · Post by **MassMan06** » Sat Oct 17, 2015 8:39 am

Awesome. This guy gets shit done. I like it.

UMassHoops.com

Sam rants about no pucks pep band....

As a hockey fan would you be likely to donate toward the band if there was a hockey pep band?

Sam rants about no pucks pep band....

Sorry for dredging this up again, but the time has come

Re: Sorry for dredging this up again, but the time has come

Re: Sorry for dredging this up again, but the time has come

Re: Sam rants about no pucks pep band....

Re: Sam rants about no pucks pep band....