This Fantastic Friday post is all about my favorite fall sport. Marching band. This post from October of 2011 pays homage to UNI Panther marching band and shows proper sympathy for the li’l ol’ football team that never gets to be the main attraction. At least not for me. How about you?
Feeling Sorry for the Football Players
Saturday, I went to Cedar Falls with my brother and his wife to watch the University of Northern Iowa marching band perform at the Uni-Dome. For some reason, two halves of a football game were scheduled on either side of their performance. Must have been a scheduling snafu somewhere.
Wasn’t it nice of the band to share their afternoon with the football team?
Not just share it, but agree to perform when the football players needed a little rest. Of course, that meant the team didn’t get to watch the main event. In fact, the marching band felt so sorry for the football players, they went onto the field and treated the team members to a song when they entered the stadium. Then, they lugged their instruments into the stands played some nifty ditties whenever there was a lull in the action. In my opinion, they could have played more often.
But what do I know about football games?
The halftime show was magnificent. We could see really well because, the people in front of us went to the concession stand or the bathrooms when halftime began. I guess nobody told them the band was the main attraction of the afternoon. Too bad, ‘cause they were the big losers. They missed a really unique show – half Star Wars, half Cabana music. Sounds strange, but it worked. Probably because my niece – she’s the blond right in front with the silver trumpet – was always in the right place at the right time. She was so good, they brought out a baton twirler and a precision flag and drum team to honor her efforts.
I am not making this up.
After wowing the crowd, the band considerately sat in the stands and watched the football game. They once again entertained the crowd when the opportunity arose. And, they played more songs after the game, not quitting until the crowd was out of the stadium. Unfortunately, the football players weren’t anywhere to be found. It made me feel kind of sorry for the football team. All afternoon at the Uni-Dome, and they weren’t allowed to enjoy the main event. Maybe that’s why everyone cheered when they won their little game.
The poor fellas need to feel good about something.
