Brian -- I read an interesting article about Rutgers today in the Times. (http://www.nytimes.com/2007/09/26/education/26education.html) Given the choice, would you rather Rutgers be academically elite but athletically horrible (a de facto Ivy; smart,powerful, and respected alumni base, D-1AA or D-1A joke) or athletically elite (BCS champion contender every year, football dynasty; top 3 recruiting classes, awesome fans/game environment, on ESPN/mag covers, seen as a sports school)? And you can't choose "both."

It appears that UCLA is confused which it wants to be or wants to be both. Since you're more exposed to the administration than we, will you illuminate for us if you have seen UCLA make choices for one or the other and their overall preference/goal? We as both alumni and fans want both, but I will admit that trying for both dilutes each.

With all the walkons getting playing time on the team, maybe there are some band members that have some football experience. Maybe an impromptu tryout.

Actually, you are incorrect. The Band was on the other side of Pauley Pavilion until from 6:30pm until 7pm and then walked over to Spalding Field. We waited outside for a few minutes and worked on some horn moves and walked in when they opened the gates a few minutes later. I didn't talk to anyone from Athletics or the press yesterday.

Well, I stood on the field as someone stood there complaining to the sports information staff about the players being on the field for so long. At one point, a member from the SI department walked out and asked how long the two players were going to remain on the field.

Why do you say "Only at UCLA?" You don't think that Oklahoma football might stay on the field as long as they want, making the band wait? What exactly do you mean by this? Is this a slam on... the players? The band? The school? It seems to me that putting in a little extra work is a good move for Bethel-Thompson, although the band certainly might not think so.

Wow I did not know Gordon Henderson reads this blog!

Even some of the Band members have become cranks!

Not sure what is more impressive...Brian's sources that get sthis info, or that the head of the Marching Band thinks so much of the Blog to read it!!!

It's Brian Dohn's world, the rest of us just get tpo play in it!

Hey Gordon -

If the band wants to have the priviledge of using the football field for practice, how come they can't be ready to suit up and play when the season starts? Yeah, I know UCLA is on the quarter system, but it's pretty sad that you can't get band memebers back on campus in time to be ready for the opening of football season.

I personally think it is more important the band work on that Solid Gold Bruin Sound. You and I both know Thompson will never throw an important pass anyway.

Gordon - glad to see you are a fan of the blog.

"It seems to me that putting in a little extra work is a good move for Bethel-Thompson, although the band certainly might not think so."

I think that is exactly the point Brian was making.

Rob -
Who's going to pay to house and feed 250 students for an extra month? Certainly not the athletic dept.

Well when your band is better then your football team, that's what happens...