The ASININE policy is reversed due to massive negative local and National attention. There was never a "Safety" issue. That was manufactured BS so the LSUAD could sell those seats that the visiting Bands sat in. I marched 8 fricking seasons in "TGBFTL" and still do Alumni Band every few years. There never was and never has been any safety issue when I was entering or exiting the field either during Pre-Game or Half-Time. Never felt like I was in any danger of running into another Tiger Band or visiting band member or a football player. "Safety" is just an invalid argument and now that they got called out on it from people all over the country, they're backtracking in a feeble attempt to save face. The whole lot of them that had anything to do with that ridiculous policy, need to be removed. Hey, at least we'll get to now see the full Jacksonville State band in September. (And A&M next year) They have one of the best, if not THE best, marching bands in the country. Probably wont be a good night for TGBFTL though. Don't know what to expect from Dr.Dennis Llinas. (Interim Tiger Band Director) He has a Ph.D, but not much prior experience with other college marching bands or Drum Corps. ( Most of his experience is with High Schools)...................
Does anyone know this? I ran across one article that said these bands sat in the same place last year, but did they sit in the same place before the seating changes with the expansion? Is it possible they were moved making their trip to the field take a different, and more 'lively' route?
The visiting band has always sat wherever they wish to in the visitors section. Usually they sit next to the field in the corner of the south end zone and near the exit ramps. But they have to come onto the field through the same portal that the visiting team uses. It often has them leaving the field as the visiting team returns to it, but it has never been a safety problem that was obvious to anybody. Apparently they are making a new portal for the visiting band to use, but it is just a face-saving explanation. Somebody in LSU risk management made a bad call and overstepped and got swatted down by public opinion when it went public. For the second time in a year the Athletic director embarrassed LSU nationally and both times unnecessarily. His judgment is awful, Joe Alleva has to go. The sideline crowding is bad, but again, no discernible safety issue, just a hassle to all involved. It could be solved by requiring the bands to enter and leave the field from the end zone as Tiger Band does in the pregame.
