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Post by onefansopinion on Aug 13, 2018 20:13:41 GMT -5
First let me state that I am a JSU fan.
N.C. A&T is the defending HBCU Celebration Bowl Champion and is a pre-season top 15 FCS team. The University has one of the best Marching Band Programs in the country, the Blue & Gold Marching Machine. With that said it would be inconceivable for JSU to be part of a Primetime, Nationally Televised game on ESPN and our administration not send The Marching Southerners to represent OUR school and support OUR team. There would be a revolt from our coaches, team, students, fans, and alumni.
The game will be decided on the field, but any reasonable person would have to admit having the Marching Machine in the crowd is a positive.
Intended or not the N.C. A&T Administration is telling your team and your fans three things: We are cheap when it comes to students. We don’t care about fans and alumni. We don’t think our team has a chance in this game.
Let me offer a suggestion. Call and/or e-mail the University Chancellor and let him know that you are a N.C. A&T fan going to the FCS Kickoff in Montgomery and you want YOUR band there. Let him know that if money is an issue, you have no problem with him and his cronies staying home and instead spending the money to send the STUDENTS in YOUR band to the game to help support the STUDENTS on YOUR team.
Here is the contact information if you are so inclined. It’s now up to you, the N.C. A&T fans.
Harold L. Martin, Sr.
Chancellor
Office of the Chancellor
1601 East Market Street
Dowdy Building, Suite 418
Greensboro, NC 27411
Phone (336) 334-7940
Fax (336) 334-7082
chancellor@ncat.edu
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Post by scaggie09 on Aug 13, 2018 20:35:16 GMT -5
Is there a reason you keep referring to Chancellor Martin as he and his cronies?
Just curious
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Post by onefansopinion on Aug 13, 2018 20:52:08 GMT -5
Is there a reason you keep referring to Chancellor Martin as he and his cronies? Just curious It is not personal. I use that terminology when referring to upper level college administrators, including the one at JSU, when they freely spend funds on themselves but can’t find funds for students. In this case, you can bet the A&T administrators never considered not attending the game. It is an understood and entitled perk to travel in style with a large contingent to the game - flight, luxury accommodations, nice meals, and a private suite for the game. All on the University dime. But somehow there just isn’t money to send your outstanding band. Ask your coaches and your players who they would rather have there? We both know that answer, and it isn’t the people sipping cocktails and engaging in polite conversation during the game in the private suite.
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Maxell
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Post by Maxell on Aug 13, 2018 22:46:40 GMT -5
onefansopinion, Welcome to BlueDeathValley. We don't know all the facts or the Chancellor's official position (if he has one), but thanks for your input regarding making this game atmosphere the best it can be. See you on the 25th. AGGIE PRIDE!
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Post by Bornthrilla on Aug 14, 2018 8:13:51 GMT -5
There definitely needs to be an official explanation from the university about this and the ECU game.
If they were down in Alabama last week hobnobbing with event promoters and sponsors, I wonder if they informed them that the band would not be attending the Kickoff Classic.
And if they told the event promoters that, I dont see why they would not inform A&T fans and alumni too.
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Post by ohsixrain on Aug 14, 2018 8:41:41 GMT -5
The reality is the band's agenda is getting dismissed in all of this because, if the band REALLY wanted to go and they reached out to the Chancellor for funding for the trip, then they would be going in my opinion. The band has this notion that traveling to Montgomery to play a 6-7 minute halftime show and be told when to play in the stands; it is their belief it isn't worth their time and effort. It is my belief, however not a fact, that the Chancellor probably has given the decision to the band director to make and he (Chancellor) will support the decision. I don't believe the Chancellor has told the band to stay behind or any of that, he doesn't want to trump the band director's decision.
Some things need to be trumped when you look at the greater good of the university. We continually are looking for ways to get our name and brand promoted to as many folks as we can, this is another opportunity to do so. Why not take full advantage of the opportunity? Sure it comes with a cost; practice, long hours on the bus to and from, funding for the trip itself and playing restrictions. But, in this case, we MUST keep the university's mission and brand ahead of any one organization on campus.
Sounds harsh but, in my opinion, the Chancellor should intervene on this one and have our university represented just as it was last season at Gardner-Webb, Charlotte and the Celebration Bowl. My 2 cents.
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Post by A&T AGGIE 96 on Aug 14, 2018 9:02:39 GMT -5
I think it’s pretty clear why the band is not traveling for this game...they have a limited budget and should travel to games that mean the most when it comes to winning the conference championship.
I was surprised they travelled to GW and UNCC last year...but seeing they are in state schools it was less of a budget hit...and Charlotte is a huge recruiting hub for us.
None of that is true for the game with Jacksonville state.
Having the band at the game in Greenville verses ECU makes sense, but if it came down to that game or BCU or a similar conference game I’m pretty sure the band and our fans would pick BCU every time.
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Post by ohsixrain on Aug 14, 2018 9:59:14 GMT -5
I think the point is being missed...the band is an organization that should/supposed to support the football program. This is bigger than simply choosing one road trip over another. Our university will be on display, there are only 3 football games this particular weekend and we are in one of them that's being televised on ESPN, we are so still that we can't make exceptions. Exceptions are made all the time. In the world of budgets/budgeting, your best demonstration of needing more funding is your use of it. If you burn through your budget after the first 2 games then, it's probably safe to say the budget wasn't sufficient to begin with. Maybe that's when the powers that be can better understand how much of a budget is required for a band and allocate those funds accordingly. We all know the university isn't broke, they just don't want to allocate funds to that area or cause which happens to be the band program. Now, that's getting in to the weeds of it all but, in essence, that's what it boils down to. Thus, you have the band being more selective and attending games more suitable to their liking as opposed to support the football program at all cost.
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oleschoolaggie
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Post by oleschoolaggie on Aug 14, 2018 10:30:48 GMT -5
i've been an aggie for a very long time. ever since my undergrad days in the late 70's early 80's, i don't recall us having a more "supportive" chancellor than dr. martin. so i too take offense to the poster referring to dr. martin as "he and his cronies".
hail, in case folks haven't noticed, last year the bgmm wore "brand new" uniforms. this year they appear to be sporting "brand new" instruments. and let's not forget, the university just purchased a property next door to aggie stadium to expand the bgmm faciliites.
so its clear to me that our administration is doing its part to properly fund the bgmm. i personally do not believe it was our chancellor's sole call not to send the bgmm to alabama. and i particularly don't care for an outsider to come in and "instigate" hostilities within our aggie family. folk call that tactic, "divide and conquer".
when you look at the strides our beloved university has made since dr. martin's administration took over, its absolutely "mind boggling"! we became the largest hbcu in america, our enrollment is "exploding", our research grants are reaching record setting numbers, gpa's and sat scores of new applicants is at an all time high, our athletics have taken a complete "180" in the right direct, numerous "upgrades" have been made to our campus as well as athletic facilities, and we're presently on the verge of opening what will be the "premier" student center at any hbcu in america in a matter of a few weeks. i mean, i could go on and on.
we welcome all outside visitors to bdv, we appreciate their interest. but to introduce yourself by "insulting" one of our very own (who i personally have the highest regard for) is not a good first impression.
quite frankly, to me it sounds as if the poster "selfishly" wants to be entertained by the bgmm, so to serve his/her own interests, he/she is trying to stir up an aggie revolt within our aggie family, encouraging us to turn on our chancellor and his "so called" cronies in an effort to enhance the poster's own game day experience.
that's what it looks like to me. i mean, since when should an outsider tell aggies how to handle our very own "internal" business? heck, i've got a suggestion for the poster. since the poster is a jsu fan who apparently wants to see the bgmm in alabama, how 'bout getting "jsu" to help fund the bgmm to come to montgomery since jsu is the "defacto" home team? instead of "unjustifiably" trying to turn our alums against one of our very own who happens to be doing an outstanding job.
just my 2 cents...
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Post by ohsixrain on Aug 14, 2018 10:47:52 GMT -5
I understand the argument Oleschool but, I don't believe that to be the motive of the new poster. It sounds to me he has the same exact concern as many of us do as to why the band isn't going, he/she just so happens to have not attended A&T. The reason I say that is, my mother and father would have similar concerns and the both went to Shaw and NCCU, respectively. We shouldn't use that to distract us from the main issue here. This is an excellent opportunity for our university to promote our brand. Bottom line if we don't take advantage of the opportunity then, that's piss-poor. Again, you guys know my opinion on the issue but, it isn't to make enemies and have all 300 members pissed off at me. It's my perspective on the issue...the band has a very short-sighted perspective on this game, that's why they don't want to attend.
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Post by marchingband1969 on Aug 14, 2018 10:54:01 GMT -5
i've been an aggie for a very long time. ever since my undergrad days in the late 70's early 80's, i don't recall us having a more "supportive" chancellor than dr. martin. so i too take offense to the poster referring to dr. martin as "he and his cronies". hail, in case folks haven't noticed, last year the bgmm wore "brand new" uniforms. this year they appear to be sporting "brand new" instruments. and let's not forget, the university just purchased a property next door to aggie stadium to expand the bgmm faciliites. so its clear to me that our administration is doing its part to properly fund the bgmm. i personally do not believe it was our chancellor's sole call not to send the bgmm to alabama. and i particularly don't care for an outsider to come in and "instigate" hostilities within our aggie family. folk call that tactic, "divide and conquer". when you look at the strides our beloved university has made since dr. martin's administration took over, its absolutely "mind boggling"! we became the largest hbcu in america, our enrollment is "exploding", our research grants are reaching record setting numbers, gpa's and sat scores of new applicants is at an all time high, our athletics have taken a complete "180" in the right direct, numerous "upgrades" have been made to our campus as well as athletic facilities, and we're presently on the verge of opening what will be the "premier" student center at any hbcu in america in a matter of a few weeks. i mean, i could go on and on. we welcome all outside visitors to bdv, we appreciate their interest. but to introduce yourself by "insulting" one of our very own (who i personally have the highest regard for) is not a good first impression. quite frankly, to me it sounds as if the poster "selfishly" wants to be entertained by the bgmm, so to serve his/her own interests, he/she is trying to stir up an aggie revolt within our aggie family, encouraging us to turn on our chancellor and his "so called" cronies in an effort to enhance the poster's own game day experience. that's what it looks like to me. i mean, since when should an outsider tell aggies how to handle our very own "internal" business? heck, i've got a suggestion for the poster. since the poster is a jsu fan who apparently wants to see the bgmm in alabama, how 'bout getting "jsu" to help fund the bgmm to come to montgomery since jsu is the "defacto" home team? instead of "unjustifiably" trying to turn our alums against one of our very own who happens to be doing an outstanding job. just my 2 cents... Amen! I'm glad someone else spoke up for Dr. Martin and his administration. The only reason folks care if the Blue & Gold Marching Machine shows up for any game is because of the leadership Dr. Martin and Dr. Ruff have provided. And I think it's disrespectful to start questioning their decision making ability just because the band doesn't attend one football game. Dr. Martin has been quietly providing our band the resources to not only survive but to thrive. Remember folks, we're a "technology" institution not a music college. And to question Dr. Ruff's leadership it just darn crazy. Since taking over the band from Dr. Hodge, Dr. Ruff has built one of the most innovative and entertaining bands in the Nation (HBCU or PWI). Fans are still talking about the performance that won the Honda Battle of the Band several years ago, the historic halftime show at UNC Chapel Hill and the butt whipping show we did at UNC Charlotte. So let's all take a deep breath and appreciate what we have. This will not be the end of the world and the football team will do just fine.
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Post by A&T AGGIE 96 on Aug 14, 2018 11:46:03 GMT -5
I understand the argument Oleschool but, I don't believe that to be the motive of the new poster. It sounds to me he has the same exact concern as many of us do as to why the band isn't going, he/she just so happens to have not attended A&T. The reason I say that is, my mother and father would have similar concerns and the both went to Shaw and NCCU, respectively. We shouldn't use that to distract us from the main issue here. This is an excellent opportunity for our university to promote our brand. Bottom line if we don't take advantage of the opportunity then, that's piss-poor. Again, you guys know my opinion on the issue but, it isn't to make enemies and have all 300 members pissed off at me. It's my perspective on the issue...the band has a very short-sighted perspective on this game, that's why they don't want to attend. I don’t know ohsixrain, I don’t think the band or our administrators are being short-sighted about this game. I have a lot of trust in their leadership and we see the proof on the field. If they don’t think this game is “worth it” then that’s probably because it’s not. You aren’t going to see any large outcry from fans, alumni, or students about the band not showing up for this game. Heck, to most of us JSU means Jackson State anyway. I was at the last game in Atlanta when we played JSU...and yeah the band was in the house...I’m just saying.
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Post by Bornthrilla on Aug 14, 2018 12:18:00 GMT -5
They are indeed being short-sighted because they signed up to be a part of a specially televised event that will be broadcast live to the entire nation.
We should be using that opportunity to put our best foot forward and introduce our unique brand to a bunch of new viewers who will be tuning in.
On that day we will be representing for all HBCUs and carrying that flag in front of the entire nation.
But for some strange reason Dr. Ruff and Chancellor Martin do not feel that it is important or necessary to showcase a signature part of what makes HBCU football so entertaining and attractive.
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Post by aggie2039 on Aug 14, 2018 12:35:56 GMT -5
Additionally this game is in the home of another fellow HBCU and a local population that will appreciate the BGMM. This the opportunity to expand our brand into the Deep South and SWAC territory. This is a really big game, 2 top FCS programs playing each other on national television.
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Post by neighborhoodsuperstar on Aug 14, 2018 12:37:49 GMT -5
"Cronies" - I've never heard that word used in a positive light. I would never use that word in concert with Chancellor Martin's university allies/staff unless they're seen robbing the liquor store or the local bank. Outside of that, I would prefer the word "cronies" not to be used, particularly from someone not remotely associated with A&T.
.....I'm with you 100% on that one, OSA.....
Next issue: Would I like for A&T's band to go to Montgomery - yes. But hey, it's 491.9 miles away. I respect the financial constraints this game may cost on the band budget.
Nevertheless, I remained perplexed by which games our brass considers financially burdensome. Outside of Central, there's no other away game outside of ECU which is more financially palatable.
Here are our away games: JSU/Montgomery (491.9 miles away) ECU/Greenville (159.7 miles away) Del St/Dover (404.5 miles away) BCU/Daytona Beach (551.7 miles away) Savannah St/Savannah (325.6 miles away) NCCU/Durham (53.7 miles away)
Take away the Central game, the ECU is, BY FAR, the closest away game we have. Savannah is twice the distance away from us than Greenville, yet we're going down there.
Let's be real here. We don't need our band in Savannah or Dover. Hell, we don't even need half the football team to travel to those places to be successful.
I can reason with folks on the Montgomery game. Travel and lodging can eat away at a budget. I'm not going to rubber stamp the decision on the ECU/Greenville game. It was the wrong decision NOT to go to Greenville. It's a straight shot there....it's a day trip. We need our band in Greenville.
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