I found the fans to be a little obnoxious, as they were throwing stuff at us. But that's what you get when you sit by the student section. So I'm not really irked. The stadium was nice. Loud, yes. I'm only telling the truth when I say I think the Valley is louder, tho. But who cares. I think I would've liked the stadium better if it'd been a little more symmetrical. I'm a design major, and I like symmetry, what can I say. Of course very few stadiums are very symmetrical. Death Valley is sort of symmetrical. All in all, I liked Sanford. However, I personally think that SC's got the best looking stadium in the East.
RE: Mello_at_LSU's Story. When I was in the band, the tubas were specifically told to protect the Golden Girls from all fans, LSU's included, on the way back to the band hall. I'm sure that's still true. We were well prepared to use the horns if necessary--watched one guy get totally taken out by the guy in front of me with one swing. I guess that would be a problem if you were trying to chase down your shako. What a bunch of losers to want to steal a hat. As far as the UGA Band behavior you cite, I can only say this: the Band is an official representative of the university, as Frank Wickes has told you several time (but others on this board haven't heard it.) If they are acting like jerks, it's the responsibility of the school to fix it. That is why we no longer play the long version of Tiger Rag after extra points and field goals. The students had started yellign "Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha:A$$-hole, *********" during the third strain, prompting opponents to say the band was leading obscene cheers. Even though no one in the band started it, the change was made immediately after the complaint was published in the paper--no questions and no arguing. That is also why I have the least respect for aTm of all the schools we have ever played. About half of their band stood up and started flashing obscene gestures while the band walked on to the field for pregame for the 88 game. No one stood up in the aTm staff to stop them as they should have. Ever since then, I have hated aTm. Solo fans being jerks are a real problem, but official representatives of the school should have more class. I am proud to say The Golden Band from Tigerland has always shown that class. OBTW, last night I was invited to play in a local community band based soley on the fact that I had played in Tiger Band, even though it had been 14 years ago and I don't play regularly. That's the reputation Tiger Band has even in AU and AMAB land. GEAUX TIGERS (GATORS EAT BOOGERS) THORNY AKA LSU STATMAN: LSU TUBA 85-89
I'm surprised to hear that about A&M's band. I've heard they were very disciplined, although I've never seen them myself.
The aTm Corps of Cadets thinks of itself as a step above everyone else, but in reality they are poor pretenders compared to the graduates of the real service academies. aTm graduates often have a sense of entitlement that is really annoying to deal with even when you outrank them. That being said, the aTm band is enjoyable to watch since no one does what they do and they do it so well. That doesn't change the fact that many of them were jerks and the university did nothing about it. Had Tiger Band members done the same thing, Wickes would have them out by Tuesday's rehearsal--I've seen it done for lesser offenses. GEAUX TIGERS (Gators Eat Boogers)
I wasn't bothered or harmed in Athens at all except for one drunk in the stadium. GBI and other UGA fans took care of him with a quickness. The people we tailgated with before and after the game were awesome. We gace them some jambalaya and ettouffe and they kept the beer flowing. I did come back to my car after the game to find my drivers side wiper arm had been broken off. Because my car is new none of the auto parts stock the part. I had to pay 60 bucks to replace a freakin wiper arm. It would have been 90 if I didnt do the labor myself. But replacing a wiper arm is alot better than replacing a windshield are fixing a keyed car.
