Band might not follow Tigers to bowl game
Published Dec. 2, 2003
When the football team makes an appearance at its first bowl game in five years, the stadium might be a little quieter than the football team and MU fans are used to.
Due to financial constraints, Marching Mizzou might not be able to perform in its entirety if the Tigers go to a smaller bowl.
"There are three tiers of bowls," Associate Athletic Director Mario Moccia said. "Tier three bowls obviously provide less payout than tier one bowls."
Tier one bowl games such as the Orange Bowl, played in Miami, provide the playing teams with more money than a tier two or three bowl, Moccia said.
It has been speculated that the Tigers will earn a bid to play in the Independence Bowl in Shreveport La., a tier three bowl.
Moccia sent a memo to Director of Bands Tom O'Neal on Sept. 4, which explained how the payout of any possible bowl appearance would affect whether Marching Mizzou would be able to attend.
"I received a memo indicating that several bowls had a very low payout and that as a result the full band may not participate," O'Neal said. "The bowls listed in the memo include the Independence Bowl, Houston Bowl, Ft. Worth Bowl and Tangerine Bowl, but left options open with regard to other bowls."
In the memo, Moccia indicated a pep band of just 40 to 50 musicians would be included in the bottom tier bowls, O'Neal said. There were 267 members of the band and color guard in 2001.
Freshman color guard member Kristen Nordlund said O'Neal explained the situation to the band after the game against Texas Tech.
"He came out to the field because he knew a rumor was going around," Nordlund said. "It was a big deal. I would kind of be mad but it's not my choice if we go."
Moccia said that sometimes schools lose money by going to a bowl game because they try to send everyone and end up spending more than they earn from it.
"I think that any point in time that the full band can go is a great thing," he said. "It adds to the whole atmosphere of the game. But you also have to look at it realistically from a financial standpoint, you have to make sure you don't lose money. As exciting as it is, we have to be fiscally responsible."
MU is still waiting for an official invitation to a bowl game, Moccia said.
"We have not heard what bowl game we will be invited to," he said. "Things will become much more clear in a week."
O'Neal said he is remaining hopeful that MU will be selected for a bowl game that will allow the entire band to participate.
"The Marching Mizzou is among the most visible ambassadors for our university," he said. "Last year the athletic bands performed over 100 performances during the academic year. The overall commitment of the band students is outstanding. I am very proud of the performances that we do."