Maybe they can reorganize and come back stronger.  Isn't that what our band did a few years back?  We had the band that wore the Hawaiian shirts and shorts and the next year we did not have a band, then the next we came back bigger and better with nice uniforms, etc.  I don't know the details at FIU but maybe they need to do something of that nature.

Sometimes just throwing money at a problem doesn't solve the problem.  Hopefully they are talking to our band leadership to understand some of our past successes and failures and how we rebounded.  Just a thought.

FAUfasho said

FIU's band used to be MUCH bigger, almost double what they are now. They have gotten smaller every year for the past four years, or so it seems. We also have transient students from BCC and PBCC and people do this simply because they want to continue marching after high school is over. Why don't they get rid of the dance team and half the cheerleading squad first? I may be biased, but the dance team doesn't add much to football games, basketball games are a bit better, but without a band its just not the same. I think FAU will be safe from cutting it's band…i hope.

I don't think the dance team costs nearly as much as the band. If it comes down to money cutting the band saves more money than cutting the dance team. I am not in favor of making such cuts, but from a $ perspective it unfortunately makes sense.

GO OWLS!!!

owlfan1 said

FAUfasho said

FIU's band used to be MUCH bigger, almost double what they are now. They have gotten smaller every year for the past four years, or so it seems. We also have transient students from BCC and PBCC and people do this simply because they want to continue marching after high school is over. Why don't they get rid of the dance team and half the cheerleading squad first? I may be biased, but the dance team doesn't add much to football games, basketball games are a bit better, but without a band its just not the same. I think FAU will be safe from cutting it's band…i hope.

I don't think the dance team costs nearly as much as the band. If it comes down to money cutting the band saves more money than cutting the dance team. I am not in favor of making such cuts, but from a $ perspective it unfortunately makes sense.

GO OWLS!!!

Fortunately, FAU wont have to choose between the two because the Marching Owls are funded by the Department of Bands in the College of Arts and Letters and not Athletics.  FIU's marching band was funded by their Athletics, College of Arts, and Student Government.

FAUtuba said

owlfan1 said

FAUfasho said

FIU's band used to be MUCH bigger, almost double what they are now. They have gotten smaller every year for the past four years, or so it seems. We also have transient students from BCC and PBCC and people do this simply because they want to continue marching after high school is over. Why don't they get rid of the dance team and half the cheerleading squad first? I may be biased, but the dance team doesn't add much to football games, basketball games are a bit better, but without a band its just not the same. I think FAU will be safe from cutting it's band…i hope.

I don't think the dance team costs nearly as much as the band. If it comes down to money cutting the band saves more money than cutting the dance team. I am not in favor of making such cuts, but from a $ perspective it unfortunately makes sense.

GO OWLS!!!

Fortunately, FAU wont have to choose between the two because the Marching Owls are funded by the Department of Bands in the College of Arts and Letters and not Athletics.  FIU's marching band was funded by their Athletics, College of Arts, and Student Government.

It appears from the article that Athletics are not claiming that they fund any portion of the band, but others think they do.

I go back to my original statement that maybe they need to reorganize.  They do not have agreement on who is funding the band.  That speaks to disorganization.  Before you can ask for donations and help you really need to make sure you have organization in place.

Sorry, but you cannot ask for a handout until everything is in order.

Maybe I am missing something, sorry.  I do not have the emotional attachment to the situation so maybe I am just looking from a business standpoint.

I agree with you fauowl…….

It's pointless to ask for support when you don't have a clear cut financial "plan" in place…

But they did what they needed to do to get them on the field…unfortunately, when you have a co-op agreement someone can back out - especially when budgets get whacked…this is a good case in point.

I do believe that FAU's Athletic Department contributes towards books in the form of a stipend though??  Band members can you please clarify that for us?

Florida_Owl said

I do believe that FAU's Athletic Department contributes towards books in the form of a stipend though??  Band members can you please clarify that for us?

no

FAUtuba said

no

ok, i'll shut up now…….

;D

Florida_Owl said

FAUtuba said

no

ok, i'll shut up now…….

;D

We do receive $500 each season. that money comes from the bands budget.  I could see where you think that though seeing both the Cheer and Dance teams are funded by athletics and considered athletes.

FAUtuba said

it's kind of sad the story unfolding to our south. I hate to say it but unless a donor steps forward FIU will be the only school in the FBS to not have a band of it's own.

I know a lot of people on this board won't like this but depending on how things are the Marching Owls may not travel to this away game out of respect for their band.

No, I don't like that.
I don't think you are showing disrespect to their school by showing up. Did you cause their program to not be funded anymore? Did FAU have something to do with that?
The team needs your support and we are showing in masses this year. Besides, you are adding excitement to the atmosphere.
Are you considering not to show up? or the band members were told by the director that this might happen in november when we play them.
The band needs to be there. It's only 1 hour drive.

I agree with the above.

This years Shula bowl has HUGE implications for the SunBelt and our rivalry. FIU is proably never better then they are this year and coudl impact our Bowl Chances.

We will need every advantage and having the band there is a big part of that.

I sympathize with the bands desire to support FIU's band thru a "walk out" at the game, but were gonna need you guys there.