bandzip

Preserving the way the band performed run-on at the Rubber Bowl is impossible because of the position of the tunnel. We can't send everyone on from the goal line because there isn't enough space behind the endzone, and you know everyone would be disappointed if we didn't come out of the tunnel running. Because the entrance is at the corner of the endzone there really are very few options on how to do run on efficiently without coming out in the blocks. We can't do the walk on with Tubas and percussion leaving first anymore because it would be impossible for the band to hear the cadence from the tunnel and stay in step without phasing, I think it's way cooler with the Tubas and Percussion running on anyways. If you look at any of the old marching band videos this is actually much closer to how they used to do it than it was the last several years at the Rubber Bowl.We will be playing the National Anthem from now on, the singer was a first game only thing as decided by athletics. Everyone complained about God Bless America being boring and incorporating glide step in pregame so we made the whole thing chair step and way more high energy with little if any breaks between songs. In my opinion it is far more interesting and high energy than it has been in the past. As far as being generic, we still use the block A, we now have the UA symbol incorporated, we still do the traditional run off and all of the songs we play are Akron specific cheers with the exception of Temptation. I'm not commenting on half-time because everyone has their own idea of what it should be, and a lot of people told us they really enjoyed halftime. I think a celebration show was more than appropriate for the occasion. If you guys want to argue about it amongst yourselves then feel free, but the halftime style isn't going to change anytime soon.Having an on campus stadium is incredible. The march to the stadium was probably the coolest thing about the day. It was great to have a crowd of a couple hundred people follow us from Guzzetta, through campus and walk into the stadium before we started pregame. We did have some logistical issues with roofest, mainly because there were a lot more people there then we expected, which is definately not a bad thing. Plus, we got a two hour break to eat lunch instead of having to hang around for a few hours like we did at the Rubber Bowl. The cheering for pregame and halftime was unbelievable. On behalf of the band, thank you fans and Rowdies for supporting us, cheering with us, and especially to those of you who marched over with us and stuck around for the post game performance, which will happen immediately following every game. See you on the 19th!

As far as things for the band go, absolutely perfect. Couldn't have asked for anything better and my dad said everything from his experience was good as well. I'll give a more updated post later, going out to eat with the family right now.

Put an Akron shirt on her and I'm sure no one will even think twice about asking if she's a student.

Click the "Live Chat" tab in the top right corner.

Why is non one in Live Chat?

What else is new? At least Rodgers made a decent completion and wasn't sacked for the one series he was in. I don't want to be too hard on him, it's Penn State, but if he does this during the MAC portion of the schedule I won't hesitate to call for his head.

I was on the Roo Express yesterday with about 12 people and every single one of them was wearing a wristband.

when did that go up?? I didnt see it when I was at the SU todayThey were putting it up while I was at marching band practice today, about 4:30-6:00.

I stopped by the soccer game after the band performance yesterday and the place was packed. What were all the chairs set up for outside the Union on Friday afternoon?

Sneak peek at pregame from the parent performance on Friday. Video isn't the best, but it helps you get the idea.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wYxWPvYod9Q...feature=channelhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HkLOZVUjjAA...feature=channel

I don't think they forget to build stairs. Most stadiums use portable stairs for bands to get on and off fields at your newer stadiums or stadiums with the high walls.Let me rephrase, they didn't forget to build them, but they built them in the wrong spot. All 177 of us would have to fight through the front row of the student section to get to the spot we were originally assigned to so they moved us over. Good catch!

Just got back from spending 13 hours in the Info today and I have to say, none of the pictures, videos, webcam views or descriptions you've seen or read on here do it justice. It is absolutely incredible and all of us are estatic to call it home instead of the Rubber Bowl. Today they were installing more blue pads along the concrete wall in front of the scoreboard and laying bricks by the entrance near the field house. One poor guy started mowing the grass hill under the scoreboard with a push mower until he realized it was too steep and had to use a weedeater. He didn't finish until about 6:00 when the rain came. One thing to note. They forgot to build stairs for the band to get into the stands, so we are one section closer to the scoreboard then shown in the seating charts, with students on both sides and directly above the visiting team locker room. The aluminum seats amplify the sound, the place is going to be LOUD on game days. Another interesting note is that it can get 10-15 degrees warmer than it is at street level, and I'm sure it'll be even hotter with 30 some thousand screaming Zips fans. Not one bad seat in the house, when you're in the upper deck you feel like you're looking straight down at the action. And for all of you who were "worried" about the drainage, we found out at about 6:00 today that it's working just fine. See you September 12th, and DON'T MISS PREGAME!!!

At that point I will have had too many drinks to concentrate on the game and spell at the same time.Secret operatives who have access to the stadium before a game. You mean like... band members?

You just did and BTW, Canal Park is a bad idea for UA to take over. One big reason: It's not on campus nor can it ever look like it is on campus. End of discussion.So far now: 51 for on campus 12 against on campusWhy do I even bother, but what the heck. I don't know what math you are doing but...Rec center parking lot [ 6 ] [9.09%] On CampusKaiser building location [ 3 ] [4.55%] DowntownCentral-Hower location [ 21 ] [31.82%] Off CampusLocation south of Exchange St. [ 6 ] [9.09%] Off CampusLocation North of campus [ 3 ] [4.55%] Off CampusMemorial Hall location [ 8 ] [12.12%] On CampusLocation east of campus [ 1 ] [1.52%] Off CampusOther location downtown [ 12 ] [18.18%] DowntownOther location on campus [ 6 ] [9.09%] On CampusFrom my calculationsOn Campus = 20Off Campus = 37Downtonw = 15So, off campus it is. I mean shouldn't you stick to your guns "conspicuously in the middle of campus"?Anyway, I just did this to point out the way you continue to skew facts and so that I can read the huge hissy fit you will have. Otherwise I and probably everyone else is pretty much done with this thread until we get another sound bite in about 2 - 3 months.Look who the lair is. You just did this because you know you are toying with the facts. Central Hower, South of exchange and north of campus and east of campus are all soon to be on campus. Now take a look at another fact. The area east of the stadium which will soon be on campus is perfect for an on-campus arena. The only person having the hissy fit is you.

Link doesn't work.

There's a Mastercard commercial in there somewhere...

Someone mentioned starting a new topic on the band, but this one already has 14 pages so I thought I'd add on here.Just got back from Day 3 of Band Camp, and things are going absolutely fantastic. This is my third year marching and first with Mr. Karriker and it's like being in a completely different world. We have a lot of returning members, intensity and enthusiasm are through the roof and the band already looks and sounds great and is getting better by the second. I would say the new stadium plays a huge part in that. Here are some notes from camp so far...- The new instruments look and sound fantastic. No dents, no duct tape, no sousaphone bells flying off while marching down the street. As of now they are still using the old horns for marching rehearsal and the new ones exclusively for indoor music rehearsals. I mentioned in another thread that there was probably a lot of money donated to get them, but from the way they've been talking it seems it came out of the school of music budget. Because of these, however, as of now the band isn't making a trip to any away games, pro football games or to play an exhibition show at a high school band show. It could be the first year since 1940 the band hasn't needed to rent buses during the season. That will of course change when we go to the Mac Championship Game, followed by a bowl appearance. - First practice in the stadium for the band will be this Thursday, so all of you who sneak a peak at the webcams while you're at work might want to keep checking them between 1:30 and 4:00 if you want a quick preview.-As ZipsDM mentioned in the stadium thread pregame will closely resemble that of Michigan State (where Mr. Karriker has been on sabatical.) If you want an idea of what it will look like then watch this link. Pregame will be all chair step, very high energy with almost no dead time between songs. Oh how I can't wait to walk down that tunnel and play for 30 some thousand screaming fans on September 12. Make sure you cut your pregame tailgating just a little short so you don't miss the first pregame in the new stadium. We'll do our part, just make sure you're at least sober enough to sing through the fight song once before the game starts. - On game days we will meet at Guzzetta Hall about 2 hours early to march through campus to the stadium for the first time in history, making stops along the way at some of the tailgating spots, and entering the stadium through the main tunnel.- Last but not least the Pre-Season Camp Performance will take place this Friday at 6:30 in the Stile Field House. We'll march part of pregame, play through some cheers/stand tunes and sing the alma mater. If you're a band fan it's definately the place to be.If you have any suggestions or comments, that you want the band to hear about here's the place to put them! I'll try to get answers to any questions anyone has ASAP. See you on September 12th and GO ZIPS!

Well I guess we do practice on the same field as the soccer team...I might be way off the mark but I would guess a private donation. That is a heck of a lot of money to shell out all at once. Did some research - cheap fiberglass sousaphones can go for over $3000 each, not including cases and such. Student level mellophones run at least $900 each, and baritones around at least $1000. These are very bottom estimates unless they got some kind of discount for buying so many. That's around $70,000 for the horns, plus drums, drum harnesses, drum cases and maybe stands. I would assume if they're getting them all, they probably are getting at least middle of the road instruments and the more expensive metal sousaphones so you're definately looking well into six digits.If you're interested at all a good place to start is here - http://www.music123.com/Sousaphones-Brass-...ts.Music123?o=1

I'm interested to see how you guys plan on getting on the field for pregameYou and me both. I'll find out next week, and let you know.

I had heard about this earlier. Totally makes my day. We move in for camp on Sunday and have a performance Friday evening that is open to the public.

Miami.... really...

For the record, I said I hate the BACK of the scoreboard. The front is fine, but that banner that clings to the steel supports makes the whole thing look cheap from Exchange.

I think that regardless of the lights the upper deck on both sides makes it impossible to mistake for a high school stadium.

I had feeling that was what was going to happen.I'll also not be surprised if the cams don't comeback.Hmmm... Mine's online right now.

Wow! Where did you get a picture with all the lights working?