Throughout this semester it has become more and more apparent how much the athletics department values a band, and it troubles me greatly. First they took away the pops the band used to receive after half time. This was accepted quite graciously by the members, even though they were tormented every game by a stack of pizzas going by to feed the cheer squad. The band patiently put up with the athletics department’s decision to play more pre-recorded music over the loud-speaker, even when they played it over top of the “Iowa State Fight Song.” Not only is it happening to the football marching bands, but also to the basketball bands. Soon, it seems, they will just force the bands to become non-existent.The band is one of the biggest groups of fans that the university has. The music they play excites the crowd and starts cheers. The band starts more cheers than the cheer squad. No offense to them, of course, I know they work hard, and their throws show that, but they just could not get a crowd going like the band can. Even the athletes themselves greatly appreciate the band. Sage Rosenfels, quarterback of the ISU football team, went to the band even before the last home game was over because he wanted to conduct the band. Apparently the athletic department doesn’t appreciate the band like the fans and athletes do. As everyone knows, Iowa State is going to a bowl for the first time in 22 years. The athletes are flying to Phoenix on Dec. 21 and get to enjoy an eight-day, seven-night trip. The marching band apparently doesn’t get half the consideration. The band has been given the option to bus the 30 hours with almost the entire band or fly less than half of the band. What sort of options are these? The band is not the Iowa State University Cyclone Football “Varsity” Marching Band without its entire 262 membership. They are a family and have even tossed up the idea, but did not make any definite decisions, to either take all or none. And why wouldn’t they? How can someone chose who can and can not go? Everyone in the band has worked hard all semester and even before the semester started! They have marched in sweltering heat and blistering cold just so they could support their team. Now they are being told that they cannot be paid for their hard work by going to a bowl, and all because the athletics department can’t seem to afford to fly all the members. Pittsburgh, the opponent, seems to be able to fly its entire band without a problem. Why can’t the athletics department fund the band’s trip to Phoenix? Is it because they truly can’t afford it, or just won’t because they think the band is disposable? The athletics department needs to realize that the band is very much a part of the team and should be treated with equal respect. This is a once in a lifetime chance that should make everyone very happy, but in all honesty, it is just upsetting the 262 members of the marching band, as well as all of those who support it.

Jodi Krayenhagen

Mechanical engineering