The head of the FAMU Alumni Association says it's bad enough to lose the famed Marching 100 in the wake of a drum major's hazing death. He says fans shouldn't make matters worse by staying away.
Supporters say just because the Marching 100 won't be on the field this football season, doesn't mean the fans shouldn't still be in the stands.
Bragg Memorial Stadium is completely empty.
With the FAMU Marching 100 suspended for the 2012-2013 academic year, many fear these stands won't look much different come football season.
Tommy Mitchell, the president of the Alumni Association says now is not the time for fans to stay away.
Mitchell says, "As a matter of fact, now we need to buy extra tickets. Now, we need to make sure we come in larger numbers until such times as the 100 returns and the 100 will return."
University President Dr. James Ammons says new standards must be in place before the Marching 100 returns.
The band is suspended in the wake of drum major Robert Champion's November hazing death.
Mitchell says football ticket sales won't suffer if alumni step up.
He says if the 70,000 alumni gave just $3.85 every two weeks, one person's contribution would add up to $100 over the course of a year. He says that's seven million dollars a year for the alumni association.
"This is a time for us to reflect upon how much we really do love FAMU." Says, Mitchell.
Mitchell says alumni contributions increased by 32 percent last year, allowing the association to present a check for $950,000 during halftime last Homecoming.
FAMU President Dr. James Ammons says, "I'm hoping that all of our fans will continue to support the team. Yes, we have a deficit and we're working on that."
Mitchell says, "Our favorite chant is 'when the dark clouds gather in the rise, Well, they're there now. Let's strike, and strike, and strike again--financially."
Mitchell says he believes alumni will step up to the plate and help continue the FAMU legacy.
Mitchell says alumni contributors went from 1,200 last year to nearly 3,200 this year.
Replies
Does FAMU have a decent football team?...if not then they can hang it up...im pretty sure more than half of the fans in the stands were there for the Marching 100...I pray and hope yall overcome this adversity and trying times
Yeh their football team is pretty good... they were co-conference champs in 2010 and have kept a pretty decent records for the last few years if im not mistaken.
Jarvis Carlisle said:
Oh ok then they may not miss a beat with the ticket sales...They may take a small dent in ticket sales from all the bandheads that attended the games but it wouldnt hurt much
Lmaoooooo well damn
SWAC/TRUTH said:
It is what it is. Hopefully, when the absence of the marching band, and the potential devastating effect that will have on ticket sales, our conferences will take into consideration how important the bands are to the game.
I kinda hope that the fans don't show, in light of the band's absence. This is an opportunity to make a statement for marching bands as we know it. We'll see...
Love it or hate it the bands are the big contributing factor to putting crowds in the stands. I love football but I'm going to watch the bands go ham!
Agree with the last two statements. Even schools with slaw bands draw in half of the crowd. Lets be real, at HBCU's 50% of the crowd is there for the band, 30% to be seen (whether it be to show off an outfit, their body, their new letters (Greeks) etc) 10% cause the ticket is included in their athletic fees and its the thing to do on the weekend so why not and the last 10% is there to see the game, 9 times out of 10 cause they cousin, brother,son, boo play on the team. Ya'll know I aint lying
I'm trying to collect 500000 signatures, and I could really use your help.
To read more about what I'm trying to do and to sign my petition, click here:http://www.change.org/petitions/national-band-organization?share_id...
It'll just take a minute!
Once you're done, please ask your friends to sign the petition as well. Grassroots movements succeed because people like you are willing to spread the word!
Gregory,I am doing this in honor of the late Robert D Champion, Drum Major For Change! And Dr Julian E. White retirement! Hubba Doc
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