Gooooood evening AUHoops fans! Well, this team has really pulled it together toward the end of the season and avoided three potentially unfortunate distinctions. We've never finished below 4th in the PL, we've never finished below .500 in the PL, and after tonight's victory against Navy, we have always made it into the semifinals of the PL tourney. It was a great win tonight, although a little more cardiac toward the end than it needed to be (more on that later). We played 38 solid minutes and then almost gave it up in the last two minutes. We'll be playing Lehigh at 8pm (what a ridiculous time) on Sunday. The EIWA wrestling championships are being held at Lehigh and won't be done until after 5pm. Because it's so late and on a Sunday, I'll be liveblogging rather than actually attending. Sorry about that. Anyway, let's get to it.
Before I get into this, post-game press conference:
THE GOOD
Stephen Lumpkins - Multiple waves of "STE-PHEN LUMP-KINS" chants rose out of the Blue Crew tonight, and for good reason. Lumpkins took this game over. 29 points and 15 rebounds on 10-16 shooting, including 9-15 from the line. He would've been better from the line, but he missed four free throws in the last 2:49. Lump was persistent on the boards and got a lot of second chance buckets. He got himself to the line and just had an overall very complete game.
Nick Hendra - Hendra was fired up again tonight and played a very solid game. 12 points on 5-11 shooting and 7 boards. He also played great defense on the wing and kept Romeo Garcia/Jordan Sugars/Chris Harris quiet. More on that in a second. Nick will have to have another big game for us to have a shot against Lehigh, but we can worry about that later.
Matt Wilson - Matt played a hell of a game tonight. 4 points and 2 assists in 21 minutes, and he also drew a charge against Chris Harris. He was the vocal leader of the team tonight and provided a big spark off the bench. The guy doesn't want his college ball career to end, and because of his contribution, he gets one more.
The defensive effort against Jordan Sugars and Chris Harris - These two can flat out score, and tonight they provided a lot of offense for Navy (33/60 points). But they did it on 11-25 shooting and 6-17 from behind the arc. The effort tonight from AU's defense was supreme for the most part until we got lazy in the last two minutes.
Contributions from roleplayers - Because Simon and Munoz both got into foul trouble, Luptak, Wilson, and Riley had to step in and play a lot of minutes. They did a great job, even though they didn't do much on the offensive end (I'm stunned).
The fact that we won the game despite the game Vlad had - Vlad only kicked in 8 points on 2-13 shooting, and we still won. That's a good any day of the week.
Rebounding - We outrebounded Navy 41-28 tonight. Kept them to a lot of one-and-done possessions, which was key.
THE BAD
Simon McCormack - Simon is great, but he just didn't get it going tonight. 2 assists and 4 fouls in 9 minutes. We'll need more out of him at Lehigh.
Danny Munoz - Danny picked up two fouls pretty quickly, and then picked up a third in a really stupid way. Avworo was going down on a fast break and Danny fouled him in transition. You've already got two fouls, Danny, just let him have the bucket at that point.
Vlad "the Impaler" Moldoveanu - The fact that Vlad got double teamed a lot certainly helped to open Lumpkins up, but it would've been nice if Vlad could've contributed a little more. 2-13 shooting, 0-3 from behind the arc, with 2 assists and 4 turnovers is a pretty dismal effort. The fact that he had 8 boards is what makes this performance bad and not ugly. We need more from him against Lehigh.
THE UGLY
The last two minutes of this game - With 1:41 left, we had a 9 point lead. The last 1:41 of this game was the longest closing of a game I have ever seen. Mental lapses by AU, to let Greg Brown have an uncontested 3 for example, coupled with a complete inability to make a free throw (7 misses in the last 65 seconds) almost made this the most heinous AU collapse I've ever seen. Luckily it did not and we held it together (Danny Munoz sinking a free throw to give us a two point lead also helped). Still though, there was no reason for this to be as agonizing as it was. While we were on the line missing free throws, some of the guys in the backcourt were all smiles. That lack of focus is something I was surprised to see. I certainly wasn't all smiles when it was 61-60 AU with Danny at the line.
Anyway, we won, and that's what counts. What did you all think of the game?
Here's my contributions:
ReplyDeleteGOOD: Athletics thanking us for being "the best fans in the Patriot League" over the loudspeaker at the end of the game. It's been mentioned here and elsewhere before that the athletics admin could do a little more to thank the fans that show up for the games, and they did tonight, which I thought was really nice. Kudos to them!
GOOD(ish): Vlad did have 2 of our 3 steals. I'm actually not advocating moving him to the GOOD column, as that kind of line from Vlad is still pretty poor. If that was Simon's line, I might say "OK, let's move him to good" but I expect a little more out of Vlad. I mean, he DID score 37 on Navy last time they came to Bender, despite being double teamed. Not sure what was up tonight, but I hope he gets over it by Sunday.
BAD: We had 3 steals to Navy's 7. We just don't get in the passing lanes. I mentioned Vlad had 2 of the 3. The other one? Riley.
GOOD(ish): We also had more turnovers than Navy BUT we outscored them in points off of turnovers, so I'd call that good. Maybe we don't pick the ball as much, but we used them better...and it's all about how you use it (boy have I heard that before).
UGLY: Some of the calls the refs made for both teams. Really, PL reffing has made me so...so...I don't have a word for it.
GOOD: Kermit Washington was at the game. It was nice that Lump's 29 point 15 rebound effort was witnessed by the last NCAA player to average 20 points and 20 rebounds per game.
BAD: The "Greek Section" in the endzone bleachers. I wish this section would stand up and move around and make noise as Navy was trying to make shots in the first half. Yes, I am really glad that those people are at the game in the first place, but it is slightly annoying that they just sit there and act "cool." I also wish they'd come to fill up Sections 113 and 114, but that certainly wasn't a problem tonight. By the time the guys with "V-L-A-D-!" painted on their chests moved over there it was the second half and that was our basket.
GOOD: The rest of the BLUE CREW. Good turnout, lots of noise, BEST FANS IN THE PATRIOT LEAGUE!
BAD: Disrespect from the Navy fans. Alright, I know that Section 114 can be a little rowdy, but we're not in the Navy. I'm not too thrilled with midshipmen in full dress making choking motions when Lump misses a basket.
WISHFUL THINKING: According to your great retweet from Lehigh athletics, the Lehigh coach takes the time to go pump up the crowd. I'd also kill for JJ to do that!
Alright, that's what I've got. Can't wait until Sunday! What do we eat? MOUNTAIN HAWK MEAT!
Important to note that Lumpkins' 29 was a career-high and his 15 boards tied a career-high. Hell of a night from Lumpkins. This was his 3rd straight double-double and his 8th of the season. To put that in perspective, American AS A TEAM had 4 double-doubles in the past TWO SEASONS (yes, the past two seasons where we won the PL). And he's doubled that. Incredible.
ReplyDeleteOn a completely different note, I'd like to give some respect to Chris Harris after his last college game. I believe it was midway through the second half that he bumped knees with Nick or someone and was visibly shaken. He limped over to press row where I was sitting and grimaced. The ref asked him if he was okay and he just nodded. From everything that I've seen from him, he's truly a class act and leader both on and off the court. In the post game press conference he was asked how it felt to be done, and he said that he'd dreamed of playing in the NCAA tournament since he was 2 years old but that "everything happens for a reason." I'm happy that we don't have to play against him any more, but sad to see such a great career come to an end.
Tom, your point is a good one. Harris is a good guy, on and off the court from what I've heard. (Doesn't stop me for one second from tearing into him during the game, mind you). Unfortunately he follows in a line of unbelievably talented Navy guards who couldn't get to the tourney (Sprink, Kina, Harris) and now it looks like Sugars will take up that mantle from him.
ReplyDeleteAnd yes, Lump played his ass off tonight. When he and Vlad can get a third consistent scorer, this team can/will be scary good.
Not to jinx things, but for the past few games (especially the other night when Vlad and Lump combined for 51 points), I keep thinking..."man, if Troy was out there now both taking pressure off of Vlad and maybe putting in some decent buckets himself...and Hinkle was playing the defense I keep hearing about...and Danny had another summer's worth of conditioning on him..."
ReplyDeleteLet's focus on Sunday, though!
Another mark for the GOOD column:
ReplyDeleteWe won despite going 2-10 from three. In our last 176 games, I believe we've made at least 3 3-pointers in about 172 of them. So winning despite not being too hot from downtown (a few games ago we also won despite being like 1-16, can't remember which game off the top of my head) is an accomplishment, especially as during most of this season it seemed to be the only way we could win.
My god that was the longest last 2 minutes of any game I've ever seen. I agree, a really good 38 minutes that barely made up for a horrible last two. I'd like to add that Lumpkins was really dominant moreso in the 2nd half as he only had 7 points after 20 minutes. Plus out of his 15 rebounds, 7 were offensive. He cleaned up like nobody's business tonight (late free throws aside).
ReplyDeleteOne other point to add, and Josh briefly touched on this I think, was the Navy fans at the game. Far and away they were the biggest whine and cheese fans I've ever heard since the Villanova tournament game last year. Briefly, I got one of the student tickets last year in the upper bowl in the arena, and we all stood and cheered as if we were in section 112 in Bender. Well the people sitting behind us called security who told us unsuccessfully to sit down.
Tonight, a few Navy fans yelled at a group of kids (mostly SigEps) who were simply standing and cheering like everyone else, certainly not acting any rowdier than anyone else. I mean you're at an away basketball game sitting next to the student section. What did they think was going to happen? The kicker was that there were several who rode the refs the entire game. I mean I know the refs are pretty mediocre at best, but they rode the refs the whole game, and basically showed a lack of basic basketball understanding. To them, Lump and Vlad were there to be clobbered while Chris Harris was a demigod not to be touched. It reminded me of the way U. Florida football fans worship at the altar of Tim Tebow.
That being said, I'd also like to give some well earned respect to Harris. He's a great competitor, a hell of a basketball player. The Patriot League needs more players like him.
Anybody else think Lump should have made all league now? Wow, what a performance when we needed it. Great win now on to Lehigh
ReplyDeleteI also want to add that the last 2 minutes of the game, the team's youth really showed. This is, I believe, only the second time that they entered the final few minutes of a game with a lead of more than 4 or 5 points, and they got cocky, sloppy, or whatever you want to call it. As the players mature, that will happen less. It's good they're getting that sort of experience out of the way now, rather than next season. Either way, we're going to Lehigh on Sunday.
ReplyDeleteJust realized, is this not the second-consecutive game where Lump scored a career-high in points? Not too shabby, especially when both the efforts are on the upwards side of 20...
ReplyDeleteSpirit programs: (Off topic, but we don't have forums)
ReplyDeleteOne of the things that I love about post-season play is that AU has to allow other spirit programs to come and play. (The Camo sousaphones from Army? How great were they!)
Their pep band was interesting. I think you miss something by not having woodwinds. Their song choices were risky. Playing Rock and Roll Part II? Who does that anymore?
I really was impressed with the Navy Cheerleaders. Our guys do a great job with the flips (I have no idea how the kid with the part in his hair does so many Flips) but Navy's was unbelievable! That one guy who did like six flips in a row? Amazing! The guy who rotated the girl in a standing position? Most impressive.
That being said their goat/ram/whatever was pathetic. Our Clawed is out there dancing, cheering up the crowd, playing with little kids, hanging out with the fraternities, being a part of the crowd. He even played around with a little girl on the upper level. There is an Eagle who enjoys his job. (Too bad spirit program members can't get into the hall of fame)
The Navy Goat/Ram/object of sailor's affection just did a bunch of fist pumps. What the heck was that? If you're going to have a mascot at least make it do something.
Thus ends my comment on the spirit programs.
The reffing last night was horrible. Eric, the pep band drummer, does a better job reffing than these jokers.
@josh
ReplyDeleteas someone who receives the Blue Crew emails, it seems to me they often reference calling us the best student section in the Patriot League, and the loudest, and say that we provide the best home court advantage in the Patriot League. They also buy pizza for most games, arrange for the smoothie guy to come and give tons of stuff away...i don't know, i'm just curious what else it is you're looking for when you always say you don't feel appreciated?
they hold the best seats in the house for students, for free, whether they show up or not, they buy us pizza and have the smoothie guy come. i'm just curious as to what you're really asking for
There should be student leadership of the Blue Crew, that is lacking this year. It was totally different when Joe created it. He made sure we had busses of students going up the away game.
ReplyDeletebut then is that on the students, on the athletics leadership?
ReplyDelete@John - Hi, student leadership of the Blue Crew here. Sorry to hear you think our work is lacking, any more suggestions for improvements? We're looking to actually start merging with the SG soon, which should increase our resources, I know Viddy had a lot of that because he was so deeply involved in SG as a student as well as Blue Crew.
ReplyDeleteI can tell you why we haven't been sending buses up to away games though. The Patriot League changed its scheduling about last season so that instead of double headers, men and women now switch off so that one is playing at home and one away against the same opponent on the same day. So since we're part of athletics, it's kind of a no no that we officially sponsor a trip to see an men's away game while there's a women's home game in progress. Matt Corkery (women's coach) would not be very happy with us. That's one reason why SG will be very helpful, less restrictions like that for them. Unfortunately most SG vehicles were out of commission for all of January and most of February due to repairs, and most of them have a 50 mile limit that only Navy falls within. We're definitely working on it though! I'd love to go to more away games!
@Anonymous - Pizza and Robeks are nice, and it's nice to get e-mails, but I wish athletics would take the time to recognize fans more in person. At games they just look kind of surly and annoyed, and little intangibles like shaking a student's hand and thanking him for coming goes a long way. That's why it was gratifying to hear someone say something over a loudspeaker, that's a lot closer than an e-mail.
Also athletics sometimes does really inexplicable things like watch men's away games on screens while the women are playing right in front of them, and go out of their way to block student's views of the screens AFTER the women's game ends. Ask the pep band about that one!
Personally, I work with a lot of the guys in athletics and they always thank me because I help out a lot, so what I'm really asking for is that they extend the same courtesy to my fellow students. Without them there, it wouldn't be much of a game.
@Anonymous - Although I do want to add that you make very good points. Ensuring that half of the arena (which are all good seats just because of the size) is always reserved for students for free even if its not filled is very nice. Also of note is that during tournament runs, they HAVE to charge us because they have to pay for the seats (League rules), but they take a financial hit to give us the seats at a heavily discounted rate. This especially applied during the NCAA tournament the last two years in Birmingham/Philly. HUGE kudos to them for that!
ReplyDeleteSo I really don't meant to say that athletics doesn't do anything for students, there is a lot that they do that I do appreciate. Still, there's just some little things that would make a world of difference. Just trying to make that point without sounding callous...and again, pizza and Robeks is always nice!
@Anonymous - Although I do want to add that you make very good points. Ensuring that half of the arena (which are all good seats just because of the size) is always reserved for students for free even if its not filled is very nice. Also of note is that during tournament runs, they HAVE to charge us because they have to pay for the seats (League rules), but they take a financial hit to give us the seats at a heavily discounted rate. This especially applied during the NCAA tournament the last two years in Birmingham/Philly. HUGE kudos to them for that!
ReplyDeleteSo I really don't meant to say that athletics doesn't do anything for students, there is a lot that they do that I do appreciate. Still, there's just some little things that would make a world of difference. Just trying to make that point without sounding callous...and again, pizza and Robeks is always nice!
Josh, I don't mean to sound like I am criticizing you, because I wouldn't. You are doing a lot to make this a better program and a better fan base.
ReplyDeleteThere are certain things that Athletics do that make it hard to root with all my essence for the student athletes who put their all into every game. One, they figure students to be infant children. Two, They bombard our e-mails in a way that makes it seem like they are begging us to come to games. In the past the e-mails came from Joe and other students and it was a student up approach to fan development. That is the difference. Making the casual fan feel bad about not being at a game or begging them to come to a game, does not build tradition or fanatics. Three, and probably most importantly, whenever you try to say something to an Athletics staff member, to offer a suggestion, or to critique, you get the uh-huh, yea sonny, you are wrong look and mouth service.
The Blue Crew started around the time I was at AU. Its roots on AU's campus isn't deep, but their is an impression left on students' minds. I am afraid the one day it wont be there and someone will have to have the drive, energy, and ability to recreate it. To lose that because Athletics is too high-on-the-hog is a shame.
Questions to leave with:
Where is the AU alumni/staff/faculty group? Athletics should spend some time developing that.
Who on AU Athletics staff is an alum of AU?
What can we do to support our band, our cheerleaders, and dancers?
And lastly, what can we do to drive more students to games in a casual, student-friendly way?
I do not mean for this comment to in anyway deter from the conversation about the game of basketball and our team. But, if I was an alumni and in a position to give back to AU Athletics, I would almost assuredly, think twice.
-Graduating Senior
That was very insightful, graduating senior, and good to know. There's some very good ideas there that I'm going to take back to athletics with me and see what we can do. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteThe fact that there are about 10 security guards too many in the arena is an issue, too. Maybe that's the "contract" we have, but then that contract needs to be revised next time. Way too many unneeded security personnel. Most of them know me by now, so I don't get hassled, but is it necessary to give students the shakedown getting into the game? Should you have to show your ID to 2, maybe 3, people? We're trying to bring people in, not keep people out. A girl in 114 a few games ago said she was literally patted down at the door looking for what, food? Are you kidding?
ReplyDeleteThe other thing about the security is, knock on wood, we're a pretty well-behaved bunch. If the worst thing you have to worry about is the occasional "BULL-SHIT" chant or someone like me getting a little heated toward an opposing player or coach, I think you've got it pretty good. Makes me feel like I'm going into juvie surrounded by security guards.
In the guards' defense, they've gotten a lot nicer over the course of this season (again, to me). I can't speak for other students, but there are some nice guys on that security staff.
PS, on the contract issue, this is a pretty common complaint I have with AU in general, not just athletics. Bon Appetit anyone?
I think the fact that the comments on these posts get so skewed off the topic of the post (don't worry, this is a good thing!) really underscores the need for a message board/forum. This week's poll numbers look pretty overwhelmingly like people agree with me there.
ReplyDeleteGreat job by the AU kids on the defensive end. Remember that Lump was playing against smaller players and he will not have that luxury at Lehigh. Still a super performace by Lump. Also great game strategy by the Coach putting the right defenders on the key Navy kids during the game.
ReplyDeleteI know the Athletic Dept. welcomes student participation and they are proud of the formation of the Blue Crew and its strong presence at games. It was not a great season compared to the last couple in the Win-Loss column, and the students who have borderline passion for AU bb perhaps do not show up as frequently as the previous 2 yrs. As an older AU alum i am very proud of all the student sections. A very nice tradition. The Pep Band has been a huge improvement in recent years. Kudos to all of them. They sound great !
It was not that many years ago when 800 was the usual attendance. So a winning program breeds success.
I have enjoyed the back and forth about the students/Blue Crew and Athletics, and learned a little, too. Thanks. Don't think it's not worth discussing here. I'd be curious if there are any types of surveys done by Athletics and/or outside marketing/opinion groups to see a) how many students, on average, are coming to the games (maybe I'm wrong, but while the student side was filled last night, the bleachers were nearly empty), b) what the student experience is like (are you pleased with service/security, etc., during games) and c) what can be done to improve your experience (i.e., more contests, naming a "Student Fan of the Game" that would receive recognition/prizes). Believe me, your presence in even greater numbers is always appreciated.
ReplyDeleteI do, however, have a few points about the game, if that's okay.
1) I hope you saw why Matt Wilson has gotten more playing time this season. He was outstanding defensively against Harris when he was on him, not letting create space, getting over screens, even drawing a charge in the first half. Things that don't seem to make sense in January make a lot of sense now. Tournament games of any stripe are won with defense, and our D on Harris and Sugars won the game for us last night. If either of them had gotten off, we'd be talking about 2011 today. Matt, Nick and Steve were terrific defensively, especially considering Simon got in early foul trouble and wasn't a factor.
2) Kudos to Riley Grafft. Very productive when he was on the floor, at both ends. Hit a big shot in the second half, created a turnover, made a really nice interior pass for a layup.
3) Vlad may have been terrible offensively, but he did some work on the glass. This is a point I've been trying to make all season: it's not all about scoring. You can help your team win by doing other things.
4) Lump. Dominant. It would be sweet justice if he got another crack at Keister in the PL title game.
5)Agree wholeheartedly with the Chris Harris love. What a terrific player.
6) All the noise this week about who made the PL all-whatever teams, and who did not. How's Mitch Rolls doing this morning? And Kyle Roemer? And Bryson Johnson? And Mike Muscala? All year I've heard how our kids stink compared to all the incredible talent elsewhere, and guess what? We're still playing. You still want to tell me how JJ can't recruit, and JJ can't coach?
Lord Baltimore, What year are you?
ReplyDelete"BAD: Disrespect from the Navy fans. Alright, I know that Section 114 can be a little rowdy, but we're not in the Navy. I'm not too thrilled with midshipmen in full dress making choking motions when Lump misses a basket"
ReplyDeleteBut it's perfectly acceptable for the Blue Crew to hurl abuse at away players?
"But it's perfectly acceptable for the Blue Crew to hurl abuse at away players?"
ReplyDeleteAs far as I'm concerned (as an abuse hurler) yes. That's home court advantage. If I (or anyone in section 114) can get in somebody's head, you bet your sweet bippy I'm going to.
I don't have any problem with any of the Navy fans' conduct last night. They understand that they have to get as well as they give, and they also understand that up in Annapolis, they give very well.
@B^3: Security at these games are crazy. I'm sick and tired of the rudeness of the two mean ladies at the front door. I don't care who you are, there is no reason to be rude. (Though the student section guards are very friendly.) I think we need to seriously look at having some "how to deal with student" training for these people. I will note: I had an easier time getting into the UA versus AU game in Bender dressed in purple and gold and tons of Albany bling then I do getting into the navy game, or the Laffayette or the Lehigh games dressed in a full pep band getup.
ReplyDelete@eastern motors: I HATE this song more than I hate SUNY binghamton. It's dull. It's dumb. It's repetitive. it's not fun to play. But the students eat it up. Could we get a sponsorship deal with them? Could we create a contest where students pull each other down the court? Could we raffle off a car? Do something to make that horrible song mean something more.
@other song ideas: Cheeseburger in paradise for the Z Burger shoot out. We're an American Band. A Team theme song (most of this taken from a FB convo with a saxophonist.)
@ Student Leadership of Blue Crew: BC can only do so much, we need the SG/GLC/SBA to push participation. We need to make games destination activities. Maybe we need to raffle off housing lottery tickets at each game. There is only so much BC can do without more support.
@Civitas as a value: UA fans were rough and rowdy people. The obscenities that we used to hurl at the opposing team were horrible. The President said "no more" and they came up with cheers that EVERYONE knew, that the everyone could hear the cheerleaders chanting. It took time, it took effort, it took leadership from the University but it changed. "You suck" shouldn't be happening. Name of other player "Sucks" shouldn't be happening. B*llsh*t at a bad call shouldn't be happening (but this last one is called hypocrisy coming from me). We need to work on this to make sure our cheering reflects the values of civitas.
@Promotion: A couple of years ago the Pro-Isreal group on campus came up with the three adjectives, I support Israel. So for BBall it could be Republican, Male, Grad Student, I support the Eagles.
Republican, Male, Grad Student, I love Vlad's three point shots.
and so on and so forth.
Again sorry for going on so long and so far off topic.
Yesssss!!! haha. Cheeseburger in Paradise would be awesome to play during the Z-Throws challenge. I remember they played the actual audio (not the pep band) during a Z-Throws challenge once last year, but it would great for the pep band to learn it!
ReplyDeleteAs for other songs, "American Pie" always seemed to come to mind, but I feel like that's a song another band would play when they're about to beat American (Bye, bye Miss American Pie).
Also, I booked as soon as the buzzer sounded, did the pep band play "Don't Stop Believin'?"
I know i would love to hear more about ur story about athletics staff members "blocking" students views of men's games after women's games are over. i know that after the colgate women's game and navy women's game (both men's games that went into double OT) there was large crowd around a computer (i believe mr gill's computer) including president kerwin, some staff members, some women's basketball players and several fans. i don't ever rmember someone being told "not to stay." could you please elaborate on this incident?
ReplyDeleteWe did play Don't Stop Believin' at the end of the men's game.
ReplyDeleteInteresting factoid: #32 in our song book is Don't Stop Believin'. #32 on the team? Stephen Lumpkins. Is that enough for a Dan Brown novel?
A few things here:
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear about all the support for the band. Last night was about as full as I've ever seen the band, and it's great to hear from fans that we are sounding better!
In relation to what Josh was talking about, it was exactly how Anonymous at 4:15 says, people huddled around a laptop, on the edge of their toes trying to see the end of the game. Think of that imagine: students who've already seen and played at a game WANTING to see more and excited about AU sports.
An administrator did walk in front of the screen, and nobody turned around to acknowledge any of the students. So we lose out.
Did we get shooed away? Not at all. But the responsibility is on athletics here. You have future alumni that want to see more after giving time to support one game, and they end up making it a negative experience. It gives one pause to think about how massively they screwed that up.
What does it take to make a better environment? "Hey thanks for coming, we really appreciate it"
"Isn't this an exciting game? Here, can you guys see?"
Pretty simple.
So whereas we could have left with a good feeling about everyone at AU being a team, we're left wondering why we are ignored, again. It only takes a few experiences like that to make band members leave, students to feel disappointed, and for spirit to die. Remember, we're all volunteer, only spirit keeps band members there.
BUT! For as disappointing that was, it's fantastic to hear that the fans appreciate us. Thanks a lot!
Just to go off of the band member comment there.
ReplyDelete1) Band Members can take Pep Band as a 1 credit class, so there is that benefit, but we still are volunteer.
2) We actually pay to be in band. Those nice uniforms are purchased by each member, and we pay dues every year to keep everything running.
3) We also maintain our own instruments. Broke a reed? Need a mouthpiece? Forgot your instrument at home? AU doesn't help with any of that. Sorry.
4) All that goes the same and/or double for spirit programs. When they aren't performing/in class/practice, they're busting their butts fund raising for the program.
5) Appreciation is awesome. Thanks everyone for the great thoughts! New song ideas are also welcome, though it's unlikely we can get them going in the same year... it takes a little practice to get it off the ground and we usually stop practicing once the year starts to keep the pressure off (some weeks we have 4-5 games).
pep banders- us alums who fill up the stands opposite you appreciate all you do and then some. The quality of your sound the past few years has been excellent. much earlier in the decade the pep band's sound was sometimes difficult to endure.
ReplyDeleteLast year in the NCAA game in Philly, i was so proud of the sound coming from our pep band kids. It was as pro style as the "big BCS schools" where they give out scholarships. Keep up the great work ! ! you add to the atmosphere in Bender immeasurably.
This is the best band I've ever heard at AU. Keep up the great work!
ReplyDelete@comment on 4:58:
ReplyDeleteIt was the score keeping lady, I don't think it was intentional, I think she was just oblivious. No one said "Excuse us, can you move?" Lets not perceive slights unless we're going to be pro-active. (Though warning to you, don't be pro-active with the security guards, they'll complain about you to AU)
What we should do is when our team is in action somewhere is after whatever game is finish on bender they should broadcast the other game to the audience. Set up a lap top projector show the last couple of minutes of the game.
so how many are going to the game on Sunday? Any AU FANS?
ReplyDelete