The Cheerleader coach asked ... ... ...

[Dallas Brave]

... there are still some who do not understand the simple and the obvious. I was not upset with any one or any thing in particular.

Ah ... welcome to life. I go through each day with these same sentiments.

[MacabreMob]

Yikes - this thread is starting to get ugly.

I just love going to games - watching an entertaing game and hope Bradley wins. Bring with it an enjoyable half-time show. Then sprinkle in something to chant along with (or yell along with) and tap my foot/clap my hands to during time-outs (cause during the action I am usually feverishly wringing my hands and/or clapping with some fist pumping and maybe some jumping).

The cheerleaders do a great job... without them, they would be missed!

Moving on...

[Chico]

I have a question for the cheerleader coach, or anyone who might know. Are the timeout routines scripted in advance? If they are that should be changed. I paid attention today to what went on during each timeout. I'm glad we were playing Quincy instead of a regular season opponent. We were down at half and when we made our move in the second half Quincy had to call a timeout and the crowd was getting excited for the first time. It took the cheerleaders a good 10 seconds to move away from underneath the basket and when they did, they marched into the crowd carrying each other and clapping, while the band might as well have played a death march. The Bradley fight song should always be played and the cheerleaders should be on the court raising cane in tha situation. I might have heard the fight song twice today, but when it didn't matter. Also, who thought up the stupid promotions this year? What a way to take the crowd out of the game.

[bradley09jdubs]

I have a question for the cheerleader coach, or anyone who might know. Are the timeout routines scripted in advance? If they are that should be changed. I paid attention today to what went on during each timeout. I'm glad we were playing Quincy instead of a regular season opponent. We were down at half and when we made our move in the second half Quincy had to call a timeout and the crowd was getting excited for the first time. It took the cheerleaders a good 10 seconds to move away from underneath the basket and when they did, they marched into the crowd carrying each other and clapping, while the band might as well have played a death march. The Bradley fight song should always be played and the cheerleaders should be on the court raising cane in tha situation. I might have heard the fight song twice today, but when it didn't matter. Also, who thought up the stupid promotions this year? What a way to take the crowd out of the game.

Ok here is what happens at every game. Both the cheerleaders and band get a script of what will happen at each timeout. When there is a delay between the timeout and when the band starts playing, or when the cheerleaders go out, is when the script shows that the announcer has something to say before the fact. But then again, remember the second half we had the guest annoucer also, so that may have caused some confusion on his part...

As far as having the Bradley fight song being played every time... I do recall another comment on this board about how "the band never plays any new songs." So apparently the fight song gets anoying after hearing it more than 4 times a game... but I completely understand that we SHOULD play the fight song after a huge drive when the crowd is into it! I'll talk to Dr. Vroman about that. Oh and plus, we had our guest conductor today, so give him some credit, he did a good job.

Other than that, I honestly thought the crowd was dead today. Just my opinion...

[BUBraves06]

The crowd was weak today but it was a preseason Sunday afternoon game, so maybe that had something to do with it. I know it's been debated around here before but I'm in favor of the fight song being played more. I understand that the band practices long hours and that they want to show their hard work by preforming different songs, but when it comes down to it, it's not about the band, and I think that's something that certain people forget sometimes. I'm sure as we get into the regular season the crowds and the atmosphere will improve, remember that there were staff changes in the marketing and game ops. and it's preseason for them too. Another thing that I noticed, and this starts from the top down (hint: watch where the BU athletic admin. sits) most people don't stand for the fight song. It's a shame really and I understand that some people don't wanna be up and down out of their seats but that's not really an exscuse for all the people that do stay seated. Just my two cents ...

[Chico]

When the Braves are on a roll and the opponent calls a time out, most fans are on their feet, but everything but the fight song is played. I do like it before the game when the cheerleaders run out with the flags. That is impressive. But who thought up those crowd quieting promotions. Also the PA announcer should let the band and cheerleaders do their thing and knock off the worthless chatter at the beginning of timeouts. For example, I think 99% of the fans at the game yesterday knew our next home game was against Iowa St.

[ph]

When the crowd is noisy, you want to keep the noise going, so Cheerleading needs to keep the visual "noise" going. To me, multiple flags, multiple back flips, and perhaps running into the stands are the main current cheerleading activities that accomplish that goal.

When you're in the upper bowl, you are looking down the pyramids (that have to be setup close to the crowd) do not add much impact as it is 2 people that essentially become one from "above".

Although the T-shirt cannon or sling shirt is a really fun halftime type activity, only ~300 people are excited when they are pointed into their area. Running into the stands to throw t-shirts creates more simultaneous cheering that involves the whole crowd.

(I realize at different times, cheerleading needs to start an organized cheer to get the crowd going..)

[thefish7]

That paradice thing was the most ridiculous promotion ever. Took way too long, was impossible, and they actually picked contestants out of the crowd, making it even longer.

[Double D]

09jdubs,

I love our band and think they do a great job. I really like some of the traditional songs that they play each season and wouldn't want any major changes in the music. However sometimes with a few of the songs (i.e. the "old" ESPN jingle) I feel like we are stuck in 1995. Just a thought.

Also, any word on a new CD? We used to love to play our old one on road trips, but it has dissapeared. My wife inquired a year or so ago and Dr. Vroman said maybe a new one would come out this year.

[Stryker]

I think the best promotion I have seen this year was at the St. Ambrose game where people from the crowd took part in the long ball shooting competition. That was cool and got the crowd into it. Everything else has been kinda sad.

[bradley09jdubs]

09jdubs,

I love our band and think they do a great job. I really like some of the traditional songs that they play each season and wouldn't want any major changes in the music. However sometimes with a few of the songs (i.e. the "old" ESPN jingle) I feel like we are stuck in 1995. Just a thought.

Also, any word on a new CD? We used to love to play our old one on road trips, but it has dissapeared. My wife inquired a year or so ago and Dr. Vroman said maybe a new one would come out this year.

As far as I know, we are not making a new CD this year... but if you want to try to convince him yourself, PM me and I'll give you his e-mail. If it turns out that we will make one, I'll let you all know when the time comes. I personally would love to make a CD, but it all depends on how much time we have... which is not a whole lot.

[bradley09jdubs]

That paradice thing was the most ridiculous promotion ever. Took way too long, was impossible, and they actually picked contestants out of the crowd, making it even longer.

I completely agree with the "most ridiculous promotion ever." Not only did it take too long, the chances of it happening are slim to none, therefore taking any excitement I might've had and flushing it down the drain. I don't think anybody even rolled a "letter" if I remember correctly!

And to go w/ "Stryker"... they are doing the longball event at every Women's game I believe. And all of the winners from that will do the long ball at the LAST HOME game for the men. So no longball competition at the men's games till the end of the year.

[bradley09jdubs]

When the Braves are on a roll and the opponent calls a time out, most fans are on their feet, but everything but the fight song is played. I do like it before the game when the cheerleaders run out with the flags. That is impressive. But who thought up those crowd quieting promotions. Also the PA announcer should let the band and cheerleaders do their thing and knock off the worthless chatter at the beginning of timeouts. For example, I think 99% of the fans at the game yesterday knew our next home game was against Iowa St.

Ok so I talked w/ Dr. V and he said he'd be down with playing the fight song after such a thing happens! The only thing left is that we have to get it OK'd by the "game management" people. Does anybody on here know of somebody to talk to or works with those people? let me know

[MacabreMob]

Ok so I talked w/ Dr. V and he said he'd be down with playing the fight song after such a thing happens! The only thing left is that we have to get it OK'd by the "game management" people. Does anybody on here know of somebody to talk to or works with those people? let me know

Game Management = Glen McCulloch (sp?)

[BUBraves06]

Game Management = Glen McCulloch (sp?)

I don't think that would be a question that should be directed at Glen. I think that would go to John Searby who is the head of game ops for mens basketball.