Alumni marching band towards the stadium!

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gophermartin

gophermartin

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Marching and Alumni band marching towards the stadium! - videos

Bring on the band marching to the stadium down university ...or other path they decide on.

I know Mpls won't close the street...yet. They would close Puckett ave ( or whatever it's name is) but not Univeristy for 60 minutes 7 times a year??!! They sure look like they closed it for the homecoming parade...see videos below.

I vote they march through the alumni center down...behind the Radisson...and over to Williamson Hall....then down University before the game/victory walk!

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Looking for a Marching Band video marching TOWARDS the stadium....edit found one.

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Won't close the street for what they promised?

I have sent an email to my legislator who sponsored the bill, what is it going to take to have the band on University Avenue Marching toward the stadium? I will let you know.
 

Thanks. Please do. We have to correct this. It is about tradition...and for the "Glory for the old Maroon and Gold!"
 

As was stated here before, I strongly feel that the decision not to march down University Ave was a two way street with the band and city. The band director said in an email reply that the logistics were challenging as to how to do a parade when the band is housed and ends at the stadium. I am guessing the city wasn't thrilled to close the street, and when the band didn't push back on them they just finalized it.

To the logistics of it... whatever. I was in band, and I know it is a long, tiring day - 6 am practices, sometimes earlier, having to rush to get changed for inspection, Victory Walk, plaza performance, the whole pregame, standing all game long and playing/doing motions between every play, postgame. But come on... Walking from the stadium back to Folwell or Sanford is like 6-8 blocks. Have the band either go through campus leisurely (Victory Walk, past the alumni plaza, playing for random crowds) and stage behind Sanford or up Pleasant Ave. Or have them march away through campus then come back. With the road closed and no other vehicles or bands (like HC parade) it would be a pretty slick entrance to the plaza show or whatever they are planning. The band will most likely bein a position to leave when they gather for Victory Walk, which I assume will be from Williams or the Alumni Center, crossing the street and in to the stadium. From there the band has 1 hour until it enters the stadium, why not use that time to walk through campus, line up, and march in?

A stadium "march around" similar to what is done for hockey sounds ok but the reality is the band will be missing a LOT of people by being on the back side of the stadium for a time and it simply won't have the impact a University entrance would.
 

Here's the email message I got from the band director when I complained about the U axing the march down university:

Thank you for your note concerning the University of Minnesota Marching Band and the upcoming return to campus.

I understand from many alums that they fondly recall the days of marching from their home in Northrop Memorial Auditorium to Memorial Stadium shortly before the pregame show. While I do know that many wish for the return to that practice there are many reasons why this will not be feasible for the upcoming season.

First and foremost is the decision by the police to not shut down the streets surrounding the stadium. I understand their reasoning for traffic flow and what they feel will be a safer environment for the patrons attending the game.

Additionally is the desire from many of those polled by the athletic department for the band to continue many of the traditions that have become a part of game day over he last 28 years. These include the Gopher Victory Walk 2 hours prior to kick off, having smaller groups playing in the tailgate lots after that, and the pregame Plaza Pep Rally that happens one hour before the game. They also desire, as do we, to have the band continue to be one of the most active bands during the games in the country - standing and playing throughout the entire game. With these things in place it is already a busy and exhausting day for the students, often in excess of 10 hours each game day.

In light of the decision by the police, the desire to maintain some of the traditions that have developed during our time away from campus, and the workload of the students on game days I think that it is in the best interest of the students and our program to find a new tradition that will enhance what is already occurring.

We hope you will help us create a fantastic college football atmosphere in our new home in TCF Bank Stadium beginning in 2009.

My best,

Tim Diem
 


I don't get it though.

They would close it 1 time a year for the homecoming parade....but not just 6 times more for the year!???? Huh?

Doesn't make sense....smells of some rotten politics...or just laziness.

As for the people on the back of the stadium....come around to the other side....how hard is that? Or they could do a loop around the stadium and start the march towards the stadium from the armory.

Maturi and Bruinicks...stand up and make this happen...."For the Glory of the old Maroon and Gold".

GM
 

Isn't the team "marching over from the Radisson" to the stadium??

They are going to walk over is my guess.

The are D-1 athletes you know.

Sounds like this all starts with the city....someone needs to have a "meeting" with the mayor.

GM
 

gophermartin said:
I don't get it though.

They would close it 1 time a year for the homecoming parade....but not just 6 times more for the year!???? Huh?

Doesn't make sense....smells of some rotten politics...or just laziness.

As for the people on the back of the stadium....come around to the other side....how hard is that? Or they could do a loop around the stadium and start the march towards the stadium from the armory.

Maturi and Bruinicks...stand up and make this happen...."For the Glory of the old Maroon and Gold".

GM
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The game wasn't on campus then so there were no traffic problems created by having a homecoming parade on University.
 

I also spoke with Maraget Carlson (former alumni president or somethingrather) at the time. Ms. Carlson is a bigtime booster for the U.

Unfortunately, all I got were excuses from everyone why it would be too hard to revive this great tradition. It is really a shame since it doesn't take much time for the band to March from Northrup to the stadium and it only causes a brief traffic backup. Plus, the march would likely take place well before kickoff (an hour or so) giving plenty of time for the street to reopen. It is a cruddy situation and the U once again he choosen to take the easy path (giving up) rather than fighting for a great tradition that might take some creative thinking to implement.
 



gophermartin said:
Sounds like this all starts with the city....someone needs to have a "meeting" with the mayor.
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That's what I thought initially too. After I spoke with Diem and Carlson it became apparent that they simply didn't fight for this tradition. My understanding after my conversations was that the U could easily close down these roads (for a short 20 minute march) just as they were able to do on a road or two downtown when the band lined up and marched up to the metrodome.

If you want to bring this tradition back, start by getting some support from the alumni association or the band director (or some other big wig at the U) first. The city is not the problem here.
 

Somehow i feel like this will be a one-year ordeal. Once they get a good feel for how the traffic, parking, tailgating, etc. will happen each gameday, then they will bring it back.

This is a case of some degree of laziness on the part of the U, but perhaps bringing it back the following year will be more of a fluid transition. Plus once the folks who aren't on G'hole realize that there is no Univ. Ave march, the uproar will put even more pressure on them to execute in The Bank's second year.

I have no real insight or info, but this is the feeling i get.
 

MrGopher said:
Somehow i feel like this will be a one-year ordeal. Once they get a good feel for how the traffic, parking, tailgating, etc. will happen each gameday, then they will bring it back.

This is a case of some degree of laziness on the part of the U, but perhaps bringing it back the following year will be more of a fluid transition. Plus once the folks who aren't on G'hole realize that there is no Univ. Ave march, the uproar will put even more pressure on them to execute in The Bank's second year.

I have no real insight or info, but this is the feeling i get.
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I've felt this way about a lot of things that people are getting upset about. I don't deny that the U seems to have "given up" on some of these issues but lets also consider that the U has no f-ing idea how things are going to look this year. They can make all sorts of plans but until 50K+ people start showing up on campus for the first time in decades they really can't tell if their plans are any good.

If this is really important to folks (and I can tell that it is) then use this first year as a chance to build wider support. Get folks in your tailgate lots to sign petitions or write letters (personal, not form) to both the U and the City. Use the excitement of the first season to build up some grass roots support for what you want to see changed or what traditions you want to see revived. These are all decisions that can be reversed.
 

GoAUpher said:
I've felt this way about a lot of things that people are getting upset about. I don't deny that the U seems to have "given up" on some of these issues but lets also consider that the U has no f-ing idea how things are going to look this year. They can make all sorts of plans but until 50K+ people start showing up on campus for the first time in decades they really can't tell if their plans are any good.

If this is really important to folks (and I can tell that it is) then use this first year as a chance to build wider support. Get folks in your tailgate lots to sign petitions or write letters (personal, not form) to both the U and the City. Use the excitement of the first season to build up some grass roots support for what you want to see changed or what traditions you want to see revived. These are all decisions that can be reversed.
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Great point. Sometimes you not only have to choose which battles are worth fighting....but When to fight them!
 



Good God...it'll be hard enough for people to get to the stadium as it is without closing down one of the two main ways to get there.
 

Maximus said:
Good God...it'll be hard enough for people to get to the stadium as it is without closing down one of the two main ways to get there.
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This is why I think we should stop hating on the U and start getting proactive. Lets come up with a path through campus that would make sense for the band (cause I just don't see University happening) and maximizes the exposure to some of the non-car tailgate areas that will be set up. Its one thing to call up the director or the alumni association and complain. There are a lot of smart folks on this board...lets create a reasonable plan that would make sense and then try to get support for that!

I doubt anything changes for this year...but those who are deeply about this should treat this season as time to scout out better solutions. Get ideas from the season ticket holders around you. Bounce your ideas off of others. Changing a bureaucracy takes work and planning.
 

I don't buy it...for what 45 minutes?? well before kickoff.
 

gophermartin said:
I don't buy it...for what 45 minutes?? well before kickoff.
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University is one of the main traffic arteries into campus. What you are suggesting is that the U/City redirect traffic down side streets and onto 5th St for almost an hour (note that 5th St is a 2 way that is not designed to handle the level of traffic that University will be carrying). 5th St is the only choice b/c 4th St is a one way in the other direction. Add to this the fact that the U has no idea if their new traffic direction plans will work or if they'll be complete crap. Also consider that no one parking in any of the EB lots has ever had to drive to TCF before and this confusion level will cause additional problems.

I'm not saying it can't be done. I'm not saying the U didn't give up (b/c it certainly looks like they didn't push back when the City balked). I'm just saying I can see why the U wouldn't be too keen on closing the primary West-East entry point for thousands upon thousands of fans at the same time they implement a brand new traffic control plan.
 

GoAUpher said:
This is why I think we should stop hating on the U and start getting proactive. Lets come up with a path through campus that would make sense for the band (cause I just don't see University happening) and maximizes the exposure to some of the non-car tailgate areas that will be set up. Its one thing to call up the director or the alumni association and complain. There are a lot of smart folks on this board...lets create a reasonable plan that would make sense and then try to get support for that!

I doubt anything changes for this year...but those who are deeply about this should treat this season as time to scout out better solutions. Get ideas from the season ticket holders around you. Bounce your ideas off of others. Changing a bureaucracy takes work and planning.
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Because so many people who got there early will just be standing around on a parade route on campus instead of standing with a beer in their hand next to a grill in their tailgate lot? Support of the Chicago Ave. march-up and plaza show was dismal for nearly every game.

So for an 11am game the band is supposed to do the following:
4:30am Drumline and staff Reports
5:00am Drumline wake up the fraternity kids step-off
5:45am sectionals
6:00am Full rehearsal (white t-shirts and marching hats)
7:45-8:00am tear down rehearsal--section meetings
**Break to get dressed in your 12lb uniform--last minute ironing, hemming, button sewing (and MAYBE eat something)***
8:45am Inspection (for full inspections this will take place earlier)
9:00am Victory Walk--then break off to play for tailgaters
9:45am March Around/Plaza Show
10:25am in the tunnel for pre-game
11:05am end of pregame
11:07am kickoff -- now stand and yell crap for 3 hours (fun part)

And that's just the stuff before the game. Quite frankly, unnecessarily walking 8-10 blocks to set up a parade that will take 30+ minutes is difficult and pointless with the Victory Walk present. But the coach wants it and I think it actually did help get the players fired up a bit when the band did that at the dome. I think the victory walk will be a good thing once we're on campus (will probably take place on the east side where the big doors are--imagine the busses driving around 5th street to 23rd ave by all the tailgaters informing them that the team is arrived).


All the griping about the stadium march-around I used to understand, but lately after having walked around the stadium and contemplating it I think it would be a great idea. The thing is, it IS where the people are. The band would be easily heard and seen from the surrounding tailgate lots and by people getting dropped off by the shuttle busses. Then they park and do a plaza show in the plaza, blasting sound at the no-car tailgaters and into Stadium Village to get all of those folks signaled to head to the stadium.

And you're right GoAUpher, this will change after this year and the next. Imagine expanding the march around once Grainery Road is built and the city actually has a clue as to what to expect. We are a long way from having the culture where EVERYONE shows up at their parking spot 3-4 hours before game time. I truly believe that if the Homecoming parade down University Ave. (on a Friday night this year) has great turn out with little hick-ups with traffic and people actually show up early so traffic an hour before gametime is minimal, they might consider allowing a more traditional pre-game parade route. I for one would be in favor of going down 4th turning at 18th and back up University to the stadium and then doing plaza.
 

1. Close 5th St. SE
2. The Band Leads the Victory March from Berman Building to the Stadium.
 

I apologize up fromt...

I scanned this thread and could be totally wrong....The Band is the the second most important ingredient to a college game day experience. The city and state should pull their heads from the lower region and go balls to the wall to accommodate the band and the necessity of a march to the stadium. Sometimes I just don't get the lack of sensibility with people.
 

I agree with Aero, the major action is going to be in and around the stadium parking lots. Nixing the walk down University shouldn't be a major blow to the gameday environment. Frat row will have blaring music anyway. The stadium lots will have the highest concentration of people, with the rest spread between the Dinkytown neighborhoods, frat row, and Stadium Village (beer gardens!). Not a deal breaker.

On the other hand--I certainly don't buy the traffic argument. After being on campus for the last 4 years, what traffic is the city worried about? Its a Saturday morning, not a work day. Anyone traveling to Mpls takes 35, 394, or 94 anyway. Most traffic on Washington and University is commuter traffic and is only a problem 5 days of the week.
 

Gopher men, and ladies,

Ok...timeout....Washington will be the 2nd main entry point from the west...University isn't the only one (we can debate if it is the main or not) for the short period of time the band is marching and victory walk is happening. Heck, allow traffic down half of 4th street through dinky down. Most will be down there tailgating anyways.

Forest Laker has a decent idea...

GJ...what does the state have to do with this? I'm certainly not advocating legislation. This is about tradition and the band leading a parade to the stadium is something I'd like to see happen. I haven't heard a good reason why it shouldn't yet.

GM
 


gophermartin said:
Gopher men, and ladies,

Ok...timeout....Washington will be the 2nd main entry point from the west...University isn't the only one (we can debate if it is the main or not) for the short period of time the band is marching and victory walk is happening. Heck, allow traffic down half of 4th street through dinky down. Most will be down there tailgating anyways.

Forest Laker has a decent idea...

GJ...what does the state have to do with this? I'm certainly not advocating legislation. This is about tradition and the band leading a parade to the stadium is something I'd like to see happen. I haven't heard a good reason why it shouldn't yet.

GM
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And that's the 2nd part of the U's argument. Starting in 2010 Washington Ave will no longer be open to car traffic. From 2010-2013 it will be closed for light rail construction and from that point on only the light rail and buses can run on it. If they started marching the band down University this year they would be enacting a plan that they would have to change the very next season. The only thing worse than not marching the band down University would be starting the tradition again and then having to stop/change it the next year.
 

gophermartin said:
Ok...timeout....Washington will be the 2nd main entry point from the west...University isn't the only one (we can debate if it is the main or not) for the short period of time the band is marching and victory walk is happening. Heck, allow traffic down half of 4th street through dinky down. Most will be down there tailgating anyways.
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As for 4th street, are you really advocating that they reverse the flow of traffic for a 6 block stretch of 4th street and only for a period of 45 minutes? That would be a complete nightmare from a traffic control perspective? What do you do at the 45 minute mark when you've got a line of cars ready to go one way and a line of cars ready to go the opposite way? Seriously, this idea isn't anywhere near feasible.
 

Interesting....will there be overhead electric wires...ala downtown Mpls?

If no wires overhead...sounds like a reason to do it this year. Next year closing down the street for a short period will be easier....unless they build the on/off platforms in the middle.

GM
 

gophermartin said:
Interesting....will there be overhead electric wires...ala downtown Mpls?

If no wires overhead...sounds like a reason to do it this year. Next year closing down the street for a short period will be easier....unless they build the on/off platforms in the middle.

GM
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It will be the same light rail design as the Hiawatha line with overhead wires. In fact, the new Central Corridor line will share track with the Hiawatha line from the Dome station all the way down to the new station at Target Field.

The platforms will be in the middle of Washington. Buses will run on the same lane as the trains and there will be an emergency/bike lane between the rail/bus lane and the "curb".

Here's a link to a map of the new line (FYI: it's a PDF file)

And here is info/photos on the U's 3 stations (FYI: all the links below are PDF files):
Campus Map - All 3 Stations
West Bank
- Station Drawing
East Bank
- Station Drawing 1
- Station Drawing 2
- Station Drawing 3
Stadium Village
- Station drawing
 

Wow, people survived for about 40 years...

not driving down University for a short period of time, but ask some people to wait for 40 mins, on game days is like asking for their first borns. It worked once and can again. Do you bitch that Chicago Ave is closed for 6 + hours about 90 times a year? It would be the major path to the Dome, if open. All that is needed is some people to pull their heads out for 7 days a year for the length of time required, doesn't sound to bad to me. Maybe showing up before kickoff is too much to ask for some people.
 

For game day it would be permanently split pre-game for ease of traffic into the area.....not a nightmare.

It is done all the time at other arenas/stadiums around the country. Reversing 1 way streets.

GM
 

re3886 said:
not driving down University for a short period of time, but ask some people to wait for 40 mins, on game days is like asking for their first borns. It worked once and can again. Do you bitch that Chicago Ave is closed for 6 + hours about 90 times a year? It would be the major path to the Dome, if open. All that is needed is some people to pull their heads out for 7 days a year for the length of time required, doesn't sound to bad to me. Maybe showing up before kickoff is too much to ask for some people.
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I'm not saying its not doable. But I can understand why the U didn't put up a fight about it. Pulling this off without causing big traffic snafu's requires really good planning and the U has no idea what will happen this season. They can't just use the same plans that were in place decades ago for the old stadium and hope for the best.

If you have a great way to mandate/guarantee that everyone shows up early then I'm betting the U would love to hear it. Some fans show up late...its a fact of life.

As for closing Chicago at the Dome, its apples to oranges. Closing Chicago still left multiple other ways to get to the Dome and didn't have a huge impact on access to the various parking lots. Shutting down University will have more of an effect because there aren't as many streets to choose from when you get to the University/Dinkytown area...5th street is the only option once you get east of 15th Ave.
 

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