On the Northwest campus there exists a tradition: each year a new, anonymous reporter is designated as the "Stroller" and he or she writes commentary about campus life while their identity remains anonymous. The opportunity to comment anonymously on ANYTHING, in my opinion, is a dangerous thing. Professional newspapers don't allow anonymous letters to the editor--the fact that our Northwest Missourian allows it baffles me, but the Stroller should be someone with enough integrity to only write what they would be willing to sign their name to. I don't know if the Stroller would be willing to sign his or her most recent article, but for his or her personal safety, it's a darn good thing their identity isn't known. Take a look.
"YOUR MAN STRIKES UP THE BAND"
OK, so I was at the football game this weekend. You know the one where Northwest embarrassed Fort Hays. Well I have a little bone to pick with the band.
Now don't get me wrong I have no personal vendettas against the band. It isn't like I was a sweet clarinet player who got cut from the band in high school or anything. But what I want to know is when did the extraordinary athletes in the band get the right to criticize the football players?
There are no doubts the band has tremendous athletic ability, having to hold those heavy instruments for a full game; I think I even clocked one with a 4.5 forty during their sprints in the half time show, but when Fort Jays was down 49-0 and feeling a little embarrassed, the band let loose. All of a sudden the trumpets were no longer used for creating music but rather a megaphone used to talk crap.
I will be honest; I am a firm believer in good sportsmanship. You can be a good fan without looking like an idiot. Go ahead cheer for your team all you want say whatever you have to say about the other team, but when you're up 49 points against a team who isn't even your rival and still talking, you're no longer being a fan you're being a d-bag.
I would even be a little more understand if it were those Shirtless Bearcats who wear berating the other team. Oh, I mean a group of shirtless, wannabe athletes. You know those kids who come to college strictly to paint their bodies and memorize stupid facts about the opposing quarterback to "get inside their heads." That is why I would understand the lack of respect for Fort Hays coming from them; that is their social livelihood.
But the band? Come on, you guys walk around with feathers on your hats. I know most of you have spent your entire lives on the sidelines of sporting events, but that doesn't mean you know anything about sports. No one talks crap to you when you uys miss a note. Maybe when you guys trip out on the field, but come on, that's hilarious.
This is what I want to see: Big Moe comes running off the field, grabs one of the band members and throws them to the ground while screaming "That was suppose to be a B-flat you idiot." Until that day comes, lay off the quarterback for overthrowing his receiver.
I'll admit it must be hard. The fans sit through the entire game watching every play but halftime, your time to shine, well that's a time for getting goof and bathroom breaks for the rest of us. You might have a little bit of bottled up anger toward athletes, but do me a favor; stick to blowing your horn and leave the football players alone, you bullies.
The band is supposed to be the basis of sportsmanship. You guys are supposed to lead us in cheering on our beloved Bearcats. Let's be pro-Bearcats not anti-opponent, unless it's Mo. West, then bash on.
The debater in me soooo badly wants to go through this article argument by argument pointing out every single lie, faulty use of logic, and hint of hypocrisy, but I really don't have the time. Plus, whoever wrote this crap decided to use a medium that didn't require him or her to take ownership for his or her own opinions. Coward. If you're going to abuse a Northwest tradition and use your "job" as a means to trash talk an organization that does nothing but give their best to the athletic programs, I hesitate to even call you a Bearcat.
The Bearcat Marching Band does not deserve these lies and accusations. Many of our members WERE athletes in high school. We DO get yelled at for missing wrong notes. We're not bitter against athletes; we understand the part we play in creating the overall game day experience.
And I'm not even going to comment on the lack of grammatical accuracy of this article.
