Our band has the music and routines but just not the numbers ... yet. On-field product has 90% to do with it ... don’t forget the band are just diehard student fans too ... when the student section doesn’t show, that can be proportionate to the band. The Pep band went from about 18 people at the end of Eddie Jordan to over 100 signed up overall and would get 50-60+ at the big ten games (you are only required to go to so many games, between mens and women’s) ... don’t think for a second that the on-court product didn’t have something to do with that ... once Greg gets the ship turned around band membership (ie free ticket to the game and Bowl game travel) will skyrocket
That's good stuff on the numbers - didn't realize the increase was that dramatic for the pep band, but you could tell throughout the season. They are a big part of the home court advantage.
Actually that's been a hallmark of the Ivy League schools for a long, long time. Back before Rutgers went big time, they were similar to this and often competed with Princeton when we played them.
Interesting, because during the 80's, in good times or bad, the Pep Band was capped between 40-50, with lots of alternates. Everyone had to try out. And you were expected to make it, if you were going to miss a block of games you'd be replaced. I suspect that the numbers dwindled due to Tim Smith's leadership, just as it did in the marching Band.
That's only part of it. We were ranked through 2006-2009 with a good on-field product, but still the numbers were poor. It all came down to leadership; Tim Smith alienated many band members who often didn't return after their freshman year. He also drove off a lot of talented assistants. He was the main reason the band atrophied during the 2000's and early 2010's.
Not sure but didn’t they start doing their “thing” during a down time for the Cardinal?
Worse than terrible, very boring, and their wine and cheese fans don't add anything to the games.
Wouldn't mind a good 10-year run of football right now.
I haven't heard much as I'm quite removed at this point. The little I've heard is mixed. He's much better at dealing with people than his predecessor so his retention rate is better. However I've heard he hasn't been incredibly proactive in shaking things up and moving away from some of the unpalatable changes implemented by Smith. Again, this is all second and third hand, so I'm relying on what I've been told by other band alumni and those in the administration.
Longtime musician here. I graduated in 2018 (not a music major), so I was there for 2 years of Tim Smith and 2 years of Todd Nichols. Todd Nichols is the real deal and we are very very lucky to have him at Rutgers. I only hope that the posters on this board can attest to the musical improvements that the band has made. I think the main thing stopping the band from getting to the next level is interesting drill, which is directly dependent on numbers. Once Greg makes the team relevant and membership skyrockets past 300... I genuinely believe Ohio State’s band will be in for a rude awakening. Just my $0.02.
