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Bill Offline
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Post: #21
RE: Pep Band Silenced
(02-20-2017 03:45 PM)Deez Nuts Wrote:  completely unrelated: it tilts me so much when people are selected for in-game contests (bowling, streamer toss, bike race, etc) that these people are not wearing purple. Some are wearing other colleges! How hard would it be to say, ohh you can't be in this contest because you're not rooting for the Dukes. Wearing purple should be an automatic requirement for participating in game contests.

this has been another episode of "you know what really grinds my gears"

I agree.

My 10 year old was in a layup contest at the last game wearing his purple JMU football jersey and a purple JMU bandana wrapped around his head. The kid he went up against was not wearing any purple at all.
02-20-2017 05:03 PM
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Bill Offline
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Post: #22
RE: Pep Band Silenced
The JMU fans should take over the "welcome" to the opposing team next year. If the hater doesn't like 40 pep band members yelling out the welcomes, then they'll *really* hate when a few thousand fans yell them out. Make the whiner understand they only made things worse.
02-20-2017 05:22 PM
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hburg Offline
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Post: #23
RE: Pep Band Silenced
(02-20-2017 02:16 PM)LovethoseDukes Wrote:  If you have been to a men's or women's basketball game lately, you will have noticed that the Pep Band no longer does its usual visiting team "welcome" when the opposing players are introduced. They are also not playing as much during timeouts and before gametime and halftime - more recorded music. The band is also smaller than it has been in the past.

I asked a band member at the last home WBB game about this and he said "someone" had complained to the President and so they were no longer allowed to do their pregame routine.

Really????? Have we become so politically correct that we cannot do anything that might offend someone? Did anyone ask the 2500 or so folks who come to each game who think that the Pep Band is a hoot if THEY were offended or did the administration let one person (obviously a heavy donor) have such an influence?

There have been years in the past when the band leaned much more on the not-so-nice side but that has stopped over the years. I remember the days of hanging a blue rubber chicken over the railing during Delaware games which was probably just that side of appropriate. They are not vulgar, sexist or even mean.....but apparently someone thinks that everyone needs to get a trophy for playing.

The Pep Band is a group that bleeds purple and has been so supportive of both basketball teams for years. Their musical ability is so much better than any other conference pep band and their creativity is second to none as well. I am disappointed...

Political correctness has ruined many things. I am offended at every team that comes into the convo, I think they should all forfiet their games tot he JMU Dukes. I am also offended that someone was offended by a little fun by the pep band. I am also offended that the Duke Club hospitality has become painfully weak in what it offers. I am also offended that other FCS schools are now FBS while JMU does nothing. I am also offended that JMU has become so weak as to give in to little complaints of "I am offended." Really JMU? Weak.....Sorry for the rant, but you get the point.
02-20-2017 06:31 PM
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Wear Purple Offline
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Post: #24
RE: Pep Band Silenced
(02-20-2017 06:31 PM)hburg Wrote:  
(02-20-2017 02:16 PM)LovethoseDukes Wrote:  If you have been to a men's or women's basketball game lately, you will have noticed that the Pep Band no longer does its usual visiting team "welcome" when the opposing players are introduced. They are also not playing as much during timeouts and before gametime and halftime - more recorded music. The band is also smaller than it has been in the past.

I asked a band member at the last home WBB game about this and he said "someone" had complained to the President and so they were no longer allowed to do their pregame routine.

Really????? Have we become so politically correct that we cannot do anything that might offend someone? Did anyone ask the 2500 or so folks who come to each game who think that the Pep Band is a hoot if THEY were offended or did the administration let one person (obviously a heavy donor) have such an influence?

There have been years in the past when the band leaned much more on the not-so-nice side but that has stopped over the years. I remember the days of hanging a blue rubber chicken over the railing during Delaware games which was probably just that side of appropriate. They are not vulgar, sexist or even mean.....but apparently someone thinks that everyone needs to get a trophy for playing.

The Pep Band is a group that bleeds purple and has been so supportive of both basketball teams for years. Their musical ability is so much better than any other conference pep band and their creativity is second to none as well. I am disappointed...

Political correctness has ruined many things. I am offended at every team that comes into the convo, I think they should all forfiet their games tot he JMU Dukes. I am also offended that someone was offended by a little fun by the pep band. I am also offended that the Duke Club hospitality has become painfully weak in what it offers. I am also offended that other FCS schools are now FBS while JMU does nothing. I am also offended that JMU has become so weak as to give in to little complaints of "I am offended." Really JMU? Weak.....Sorry for the rant, but you get the point.

This reply offended me.
02-20-2017 06:49 PM
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ParentofJMUMRDs Offline
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Post: #25
RE: Pep Band Silenced
I have been aware of the above for a while and was trying to figure out some way of posting about it without sounding like the old crank that I can be at times. I think we can all agree that the Pep Band is a major component of the game day experience at the Convo and one that both the MBB and WBB teams rely on heavily to make sure we have a significant home court advantage. This is an athletics competition, not a sewing or knitting circle. While we should take pains to insure that the atmosphere is not degrading or demeaning, it is JMU's home court and should be one that opposing teams dread to play on. Anything that takes away from that is counterproductive. As former WBB K. Brooks always used to say, the Pep band and Convo were worth 8 points!!

Many have noticed that the size of the band is smaller than in years past. Someone high up in the JMU administration, not associated with athletics, complained that the band was too loud. Too Loud!!???? This is simply ludicrous. As a result Dr Volstad and Mr Rikkers were instructed to reduce the size of the Pep band to comply with the complaint.

As someone who has attended just about every home WBB game since 2006 I can state that the games where the Pep Band was not present were completely lacking in atmosphere. One of the best moves made was when the Pep Band started playing over winter break instead of piped in music. Completely different atmosphere when the band is there as we all know. The band is probably the most intense, rabid and best fans we have. Can not understand why we would want to muzzle that. Just so we do not upset the opposing team or a few fans??? Give me a break. Does anyone here think that Cameron Indoor Stadium at Duke worries about their band being too loud or insulting? Ever watch a game out of there??

As far as the player intros I for one miss them but I will admit I found a couple of them a bit cruel and insulting. For the most part they were funny and irreverent so what is the problem. They should probably be modified a bit to perhaps tone down the more intense ones but they add to the home court advantage.

This situation annoys me quite a bit as both my daughters were 4 yr members of the MRD's and the older daughter played for 4 years in the Pep Band. Her Pep Band (and MRD) playing is what got my wife and I interested in JMU Athletics, football and WBB in particular. So I may have a slightly skewed outlook on this.

In any case in speaking with the Pep Band it has been told to me that the best this we fans can do is to go to the JMUSports.com web page and at the bottom is the contact us/feedback link. Send a short, polite and respectful (and I can not emphasize polite and respectful enough!!!) to Athletics stating that the recent issues with the Pep Band are not indicative of the attitude of the vast majority of JMU fans and that the MBB and WBB teams and the fans deserve a large, loud and enthusiastic Pep band to make the Convo the place is should be.

If anyone want to talk to me more about this please send me a PM. Or stop by at any WBB game and say hello to me at my usual spot next to the tubas.

Thank you all for you time.

Brian
02-20-2017 06:52 PM
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Bill Offline
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Post: #26
RE: Pep Band Silenced
(02-20-2017 06:31 PM)hburg Wrote:  I am also offended that the Duke Club hospitality has become painfully weak in what it offers.

True that, food offerings were far better when they had local restaurants do it. This year has been terrible. I'm offended I got re-seated from 116 A and B to the last row of 114 despite increasing my donor level. They blamed it on 105 going to students, that was BS, I *never* saw anyone sit in my old seats this year.
02-20-2017 09:05 PM
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BSKB 24 Offline
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Post: #27
RE: Pep Band Silenced
HMK and I used to try to guess what kind of chicken they were going to serve.
02-20-2017 11:31 PM
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bcp_jmu Offline
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Post: #28
RE: Pep Band Silenced
Anyone been to a GMU game...jeez we are getting weak.

If the school responds to anecdotal complaints, where can we complain about johnny?



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02-20-2017 11:47 PM
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JMUSteeler Offline
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Post: #29
RE: Pep Band Silenced
Imagine the "atmosphere" in the convo with 5,000 empty seats and no pep band? '92 graduate, never missed a basketball game. I realize the days of the Convo being one of the most intimidating arenas in VA are long gone, but the excitement for a big game (UR for Midnight Madness, UNLV with Tark, Purdue with Keady, BYU, etc, etc) included the entire experience. We did things first-rate, before a lot of the big boys. Our pep band, cheerleaders, Dukettes, basketball team.....all of it screamed we were a school right on the cusp of really taking off. As students we would travel to places like W&M and laugh at their "atmosphere" playing in a mausoleum, yet here we are intentionally cutting our own legs out from under ourselves. The pep band is about the last thing left to go, let's take away the dance team and the cheerleaders and just call it an AAU game. I guess they like the "excitement" of their 10 year old's Saturday rec game at the Y.
02-21-2017 05:42 AM
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Dukester Offline
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Post: #30
RE: Pep Band Silenced
Thankfully the Pep Band has been muted and the bleachers have been removed. Good Job Admin. New convo will likely have seats for students 30 feet from the court, and sound reducing tiles so as not to be too loud.
02-21-2017 05:52 AM
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#YEEHAWDUKES Offline
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Post: #31
RE: Pep Band Silenced
MBB puts a terrible product on the court that no one wants to go watch so take away what is barely left of the atmosphere. Bold strategy.
02-21-2017 07:13 AM
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jmuroadwarrior Offline
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Post: #32
RE: Pep Band Silenced
Some of our decision makers are:

BRIDGEWATER REJECTS !!!!
02-21-2017 08:17 AM
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Post: #33
RE: Pep Band Silenced
usually hate piling on, but yes, this sucks
02-21-2017 08:32 AM
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jmad1son Offline
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Post: #34
RE: Pep Band Silenced
Instead of containing the Band, we need to give them more autonomy to get the crowd (hmmm) more involved. Also, the administration needs to declare one side (lower level) of the court designated as a students section, and tighten up the season ticket holder side. Seeing empty seats does not make the cut. The goal should be to make this place the most difficult place to play for our opponents while keeping our negative behaviors in check. You would think that this would have been addressed a long time ago knowing that the MBB program has been lacking consistently for many years.
(This post was last modified: 02-21-2017 08:45 AM by jmad1son.)
02-21-2017 08:44 AM
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JMad03 Offline
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Post: #35
RE: Pep Band Silenced
I sent a very voiced opinion on the jmusports feedback as Brian suggested. I think many who feel passionate about this should feel the same. They are cutting off the nose to spite the face.
Any loss of fan support is 100% on them.
02-21-2017 08:54 AM
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orange-to-purple Offline
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Post: #36
RE: Pep Band Silenced
(02-20-2017 06:52 PM)ParentofJMUMRDs Wrote:  I have been aware of the above for a while and was trying to figure out some way of posting about it without sounding like the old crank that I can be at times. I think we can all agree that the Pep Band is a major component of the game day experience at the Convo and one that both the MBB and WBB teams rely on heavily to make sure we have a significant home court advantage. This is an athletics competition, not a sewing or knitting circle. While we should take pains to insure that the atmosphere is not degrading or demeaning, it is JMU's home court and should be one that opposing teams dread to play on. Anything that takes away from that is counterproductive. As former WBB K. Brooks always used to say, the Pep band and Convo were worth 8 points!!

Many have noticed that the size of the band is smaller than in years past. Someone high up in the JMU administration, not associated with athletics, complained that the band was too loud. Too Loud!!???? This is simply ludicrous. As a result Dr Volstad and Mr Rikkers were instructed to reduce the size of the Pep band to comply with the complaint.

As someone who has attended just about every home WBB game since 2006 I can state that the games where the Pep Band was not present were completely lacking in atmosphere. One of the best moves made was when the Pep Band started playing over winter break instead of piped in music. Completely different atmosphere when the band is there as we all know. The band is probably the most intense, rabid and best fans we have. Can not understand why we would want to muzzle that. Just so we do not upset the opposing team or a few fans??? Give me a break. Does anyone here think that Cameron Indoor Stadium at Duke worries about their band being too loud or insulting? Ever watch a game out of there??

As far as the player intros I for one miss them but I will admit I found a couple of them a bit cruel and insulting. For the most part they were funny and irreverent so what is the problem. They should probably be modified a bit to perhaps tone down the more intense ones but they add to the home court advantage.

This situation annoys me quite a bit as both my daughters were 4 yr members of the MRD's and the older daughter played for 4 years in the Pep Band. Her Pep Band (and MRD) playing is what got my wife and I interested in JMU Athletics, football and WBB in particular. So I may have a slightly skewed outlook on this.

In any case in speaking with the Pep Band it has been told to me that the best this we fans can do is to go to the JMUSports.com web page and at the bottom is the contact us/feedback link. Send a short, polite and respectful (and I can not emphasize polite and respectful enough!!!) to Athletics stating that the recent issues with the Pep Band are not indicative of the attitude of the vast majority of JMU fans and that the MBB and WBB teams and the fans deserve a large, loud and enthusiastic Pep band to make the Convo the place is should be.

If anyone want to talk to me more about this please send me a PM. Or stop by at any WBB game and say hello to me at my usual spot next to the tubas.

Thank you all for you time.

Brian

Done. Polite, but very strongly worded. I come from the University of Tennessee (hence my screen name) and the JMU pep band is FAR superior to UT's! Far more involved in what's going on on the court, for one thing, although the UT pep band is practically ON the court, and better musically. They definitely *make* the game experience--I was at the game the night they were missing due to the Christmas parade and it was really dead. I hate the choices of the canned music (whoever makes them has a tin ear). Also, in the new Convo Center, they are going to NEED the loud sound. If the complainant doesn't like it, I suggest s/he wear earplugs!

At Tennessee the president, chancellor, and AD decided to reduce the participation of the Pride of the Southland Band at football games and there was a HUGE outcry. It hasn't had a lot of effect so far but the AD is retiring, and the chancellor has already been replaced, so we shall see. All three are hugely unpopular.
02-21-2017 11:38 AM
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Deez Nuts Offline
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Post: #37
RE: Pep Band Silenced
(02-21-2017 11:38 AM)orange-to-purple Wrote:  If the complainant doesn't like it, I suggest s/he wear earplugs!

you jest, but a couple in my section of our Men's BB games wears ear plugs.
02-21-2017 11:40 AM
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Dukeman2 Offline
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Post: #38
RE: Pep Band Silenced
What would one expect from a leadership group that banned the singing of Christmas Songs at the Christmas concert?
02-21-2017 11:42 AM
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JMUDukesFan Offline
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Post: #39
RE: Pep Band Silenced
(02-21-2017 08:44 AM)jmad1son Wrote:  Instead of containing the Band, we need to give them more autonomy to get the crowd (hmmm) more involved. Also, the administration needs to declare one side (lower level) of the court designated as a students section, and tighten up the season ticket holder side. Seeing empty seats does not make the cut. The goal should be to make this place the most difficult place to play for our opponents while keeping our negative behaviors in check. You would think that this would have been addressed a long time ago knowing that the MBB program has been lacking consistently for many years.

Do you go to the games regularly? Students don't even fill up the two lower level sections they do have - and many of them leave long before the game is over (after they've picked up whatever freebie incentive was offered).

Also, many of the early season games happen when students are away on winter break or Thanksgiving break.

As a long-time season ticket holder and an alumna (who used to wait in lines/participate in a lottery to get tickets for a seat way up in the upper benches), I think giving students an entire lower-level side would just make more empty seats.

And for what it's worth, a lot of the empty seats are technically sold -- unfortunatly people don't come to games and actually use the tickets. Our group has a block of tickets in the 2nd and 3rd rows. Most of the seats around us sit empty each game, but I know that someone has purchased the season tickets to sit there.
02-21-2017 11:51 AM
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JMUDukesFan Offline
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Post: #40
RE: Pep Band Silenced
(02-21-2017 11:40 AM)Deez Nuts Wrote:  
(02-21-2017 11:38 AM)orange-to-purple Wrote:  If the complainant doesn't like it, I suggest s/he wear earplugs!

you jest, but a couple in my section of our Men's BB games wears ear plugs.

And one night a pair of those earplugs ended up in my husband's drink! He put his soda cup from hospitality under his seat, so it wouldn't get knocked over. When he lifted it to his mouth to take a sip, there was a neon green pair of earplugs floating in the drink! 03-puke
02-21-2017 11:54 AM
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