Gopher Band: Let's do something like this!

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AuEGO4 said:
Hotter than Goldy's suit? Is making Goldy wear the fur inhumaine? Or is it a sacrifice to enhance the gameday experience? The temperature inside that suit is about 20-30 degrees hotter than the exterior temp. There is very little air circulation and very rarely is Goldy not moving around.
And don't think Goldy hasn't ended up in an ambulance from heat.
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Wait. You aren't saying that Goldy shouldn't run around naked are you?
 

Another band alumnus here, and I registered specifically to post about this issue a couple weeks ago.

The band uniforms are 20 pounds of wool. Pregame is 18 minutes long, and high-stepping the way that they do is very physically taxing. I would wager that many of the posters here who are complaining about the lack of uniforms would have been ready to quit after MN March down the field--less than 4 minutes in, mind you--in shorts and a polo, let alone the heavy wool uniform. Add pumping air through the horn and there was a very realistic chance for dehydration, heat exhaustion, or fainting in the ~100 degree heat down on the field on that day.

The band LOVES tradition. There are probably many band members who were quite upset about not wearing uniform for pregame. With that in mind, I can guarantee that the decision was not made lightly. For the band to not wear uniform, it must have been dangerous to do so, plain and simple.

As for the quality of the band, they may not be The Best Damn Band in the Land (the UMMB is well over $1 million/year short of their budget...), but they put every ounce of their heart and soul into that organization. Until you've paid the $700 for the credits, $150 for extraneous costs, and dedicated all of the time (~500 hours each Fall semester) to support an average football team with low attendance without compensation, I don't think it's fair to criticize.

Just my 2 cents.
 

I am bringing 8 total fans to the game sat against San jose state.... 6 have never been to a game before ....a 12 year old that plays in his middle school marching band... He just loves the marching band I tired looking on the marching band sites for times pregame where they are playing? lots? victory walk? what time? I guess I can not find a lot of information... I only make like 2 games a year its so hard to know what is going on if you are not a season ticket holder.

I also wish they would have a lot for tailgating more like a state fair type section where they have vendors and lots for people who are from out of town and come to a few games a year or just one for them to have a great time some where with local fans.
 

This is the schedule for last weekend's game according to the Band's Facebook page. Should be a similar schedule since this Saturday's game kickoffs at 11AM

6AM Rehearsal
8:30 AM Gopher Victory Walk / Tailgate Bands
9:20 AM Inspection
9:40 AM March Over to Mariucci
9:50 AM Plaza Time!
10:15 AM March Back
10:40 AM PREGAME!
 

gopherhoopsguy said:
I am bringing 8 total fans to the game sat against San jose state.... 6 have never been to a game before ....a 12 year old that plays in his middle school marching band... He just loves the marching band I tired looking on the marching band sites for times pregame where they are playing? lots? victory walk? what time? I guess I can not find a lot of information... I only make like 2 games a year its so hard to know what is going on if you are not a season ticket holder.

I also wish they would have a lot for tailgating more like a state fair type section where they have vendors and lots for people who are from out of town and come to a few games a year or just one for them to have a great time some where with local fans.
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You will want to bring him to the pre game band event that takes place on Oak Street between marriuci and TCF. I have attended this many times in the past and it is always good. I think it is either an hour, 1.25, or .75 hours before kick off. There should be a schedule posted somewhere. My advice is to get there early and try to center yourself on the tall maroon step ladder, as that is roughly center stage for when the band arrives. Now that I am tailgating every game, I likely won't have a chance to enjoy the pregame band event this year.

Also, make sure you are in your seats a half hour or so before kickoff because the band pregame is about 20 minutes before kickoff. I never miss it.
 



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