The Spirit of Troy makes a move

by Paragon SC on Jul 10, 2006 8:29 PM PDT in USC Football

Well it is safe to say that USC wants to cash in on the recent popularity of the Trojan football program. The LA Daily News had a story on July 7th about the university's plans to move the band over to the "Sun Deck" section of the Coliseum and away from their traditional perch in the prime seating section behind the USC bench. (HT to the Wiz for his spotting this).

This move in and of itself is really no big deal. The school has a right to make whatever revenues it sees fit in regards to selling season tickets. If that happens to be in the premium seating area than so be it.

The problem comes when the reason given is under the guise of "acoustics" . Now I will admit that at many of the games that I have attended over the years it was a bit difficult to here the band, but I never went to the games to here the band. Wouldn't it be easier to just come out and say we are moving the band in order to take advantage of the popularity of the program by offering these seats to those alum's or fans who are willing to pay for those seats?

These guys could tell you about the acoustics at the Coliseum- There aren't any!

There is no doubt that SC football is a cash cow for the university and I have no problem if they want to cash in. But this ham handed attempt to claim acoustics as the reason just seems cheap and cheesy. The Spirit of Troy will always be world-renowned and is one of the most recognized marching bands in the world so it's not like they are going to be banished to playing at Exposition Park. Couple this with the recent lawsuits regarding the naming rights to Traveler, the teams mascot for 39 years, and you have a university that is more concerned about dollars than its image. This situation is actually not dissimilar to recent Texas A & M lawsuit with the Seattle Seahawks of the use of the term "12th Man".

Universities make decisions that are not always popular and they will end up being scrutinized if they aren't on the up and up. This is one of those times. The only people being hurt here is the band. The school can sell the seats and make their money and no one will really care, but if they can't come clean as to the reason then it just makes the situation worse. I certainly don't think that this is end of the world. It is embarrassing that the school can't be more honest in its intentions, but it is also no reason to hang your head for being a Trojan as some would want to make you believe.

Tweet Comment 10 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

The Band

has a real high opinion of themselves. I wonder if this will bruise their ego at all. I bet they will believe the "acoustics" story because their ego can't accept the truth. It's like some sort of defense mechanism.

Visiting from A Choad's Guide to Trojan Football

by jbox on Jul 10, 2006 11:18 PM PDT reply actions

That's not surprising

The band has been high profile for a while now and I'm sure it has got to their head. But the school could have been a bit more clearer in their explaination.

by Paragon SC on Jul 11, 2006 2:55 AM PDT up reply actions

We have that opinion

because we're that good. And because we're there to support the team through thick and thin, regardless of wins or losses.

If you want to criticise us, do it for a reason that is valid, not because we love our team too much.

Fight on!!! Beat the Razorbacks!!!

by USCLink on Jul 12, 2006 2:11 PM PDT up reply actions

Well

There is no doubt that the Spirit of Troy is THE most recognized band in the world and their support and presense has been a big part of the experience in attending USC football games.

But there was very little noise from the band director on the move. I'm not talking about band members like yourself but the top dogs. As far as a sense of proriety goes well some will view it as arrogance and others will see it as legit.

I just wish the school would have handled it better.

by Paragon SC on Jul 12, 2006 2:50 PM PDT up reply actions

As a band member

it sucks to move. But for the sake of people hearing us (which appears to have been a shocklingly large problem) it does make sense.

And you give Bartner far too much credit in terms of his control. He created a monster, and the monster is running things now. He's just the figurehead.

That said, he's an extremely important figurehead, and i'm scared to death about what's going to happen to the band when he retires...that just bodes poorly.

Fight on!!! Beat the Razorbacks!!!

by USCLink on Jul 12, 2006 5:10 PM PDT up reply actions

Acoustics my ass

Everyone who has ever gone to USC knows that it is run like a business. We in the band all know this. No one should ever be under the false impression that it is for "acoustics."
If anything, I am pretty stoked by the fact that our seat location makes national news.
Seriously, who the hell else's band gets media run like us?

EMBOWAFA and stuff

by TrojanCBB on Jul 15, 2006 11:08 AM PDT up reply actions