This is truly foolish of the people running LSU. From the University's President F. King Alexander who is a political follower of Barack Obamas big Government politics, to the dishonest LSU AD Joe Alleva. Hell why go see LSU play college football at all knowing that Alabama has it, and LSU don't?
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http://www.nola.com/lsu/index.
Why is LSU banning opposing bands from performing on the Tiger Stadium field?
By
Ron Higgins, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune
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on June 11, 2016 at 9:33 AM
For 60 minutes, there's the intensity between teams trying to a win a game.
But then there's the roughly 15 to 20-minute halftime break when you get to see the opposing and home bands perform, and display the sportsmanship of watching each other's performance and applauding. It's a welcome reminder for all us to keep the proceedings on a relatively civil basis.
Apparently, LSU doesn't believe in this anymore.
Athletic department spokesman Michael Bonnette confirmed Friday to the Advocate that the athletic department has a new policy starting this football season banning opponents' marching bands from performing at halftime in Tiger Stadium.
Fans who have enjoyed watching opposing teams' marching bands, such as the amazing military precision of Texas A&M's Fightin' Aggie band, will no longer have that option.
"It's a safety issue," Bonnette said.. "We don't have room down there for both bands. In order for bands to perform at half, they've got to come down to the field before the first half ends. That's a lot of people on the sideline."
So after all these years, did the sideline areas and the space behind LSU's end zone suddenly shrink? To the naked eye, it doesn't look like it.
And why haven't any of the other 13 other SEC schools had this problem? Somehow, they've continued to figure out field entrance and exit methods to welcome visiting bands with open arms.
When Bonnette was asked whether there have been any sideline incidents between opposing band members or between band members and LSU fans, he declined comment.
That's because few, if any, have apparently been reported.
Don't shoot the messenger. Bonnette is merely delivering the word of something that should have been publicly announced by LSU athletic director Joe Alleva.
But in the spirit of LSU baseball opening its Super Regional tonight, Alleva tried to sneak a curveball past the Tigers' fanbase.
Funny how this policy slipped Alleva's mind earlier this week in one of his "letter" updates online to Tigers' fans addressing the latest success of LSU's athletic teams and the progress of facility construction updates.
Of course, he didn't mention it.
Because it leaves him wide open to criticism ranging from LSU discouraging opposing bands not to travel at all just to be stuck sitting in the stands which would remove the last shred of support for visiting teams, to the fact the policy might create 100 to 200 more seats Alleva can sell.
Opposing bands are already bailing on making trips to Tiger Stadium, even if they considered sending a scaled-down unit.
Jacksonville (Ala.) State band director Ken Bodiford told Montgomery TV station WFSA that he's canceled his band's trip to Tiger Stadium for LSU's Sept. 10 home opener. He said he couldn't justify the $120,000 trip expense of bus rental, hotel accommodations and meals if the band is confined to sitting in the stands and performing.
"Every school we've played in football, they've always welcomed us with open arms," Bodiford said. "I know Auburn last year, they were incredible to us. A couple of years ago when we played Michigan State, they let us perform at pregame and halftime.
"The kids always look forward to these big trips, and playing LSU is a big deal for JSU. And we started talking about that, you know, to the kids last year. So I know there'll be a lot of disappointment out there."
After Alleva's decision, whether it was his idea or if he rubberstamped it, you couldn't blame other SEC schools if they specifically institute a rule completely banning LSU's band from even entering their stadiums.
An eye for an eye of Tiger, so to speak.
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I always felt that the bands added to the spirit of the contest.
I say get rid of the cheerleaders, now that's a waste of energy!
I say get rid of the cheerleaders, now that's a waste of energy!
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