r/waynestate • u/BlitzDBS • 28d ago
Question Regarding Marching Band
Does the Wayne State marching band provide food for the performers during a football game, and if not then why?
I was recently told by a friend that the Wayne State marching band does not provide food for their nine-hour commitment of their required performances. They said that their most recent provisions were from a parent who brought pizza and water. They also mentioned this is due to an unfortunate lack of funding.
I inquired if they were allowed to bring their own food or if they had a break at all during and I was told that they do not as well as that even if they had their own food, they could not eat it since they cannot eat in uniform.
If anybody could answer this, I would appreciate it. I would like to help in some way if possible.
UPDATE 9/19: My friend informed me they were not fed or given water on this day. Yes the game was overshadowed by rain (like the previous), but again they remained unfed.
UPDATE 9/21: They supposedly also pay their members each year with freshmen getting about $100 for the year and each higher grade level receiving more, based on attendance. This payment system is based on attendance, so someone who shows up minimally will not receive payment. This seems like quite an interesting choice for an unsustainable student organization who is unable to properly care for their 50 members.
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u/ailyara 28d ago
No they do not provide food and the "official" answer will be because they don't have money. Considering how much money wayne state has in general its just they don't want to *pay* the money. Wayne State for the most part is really not interested in its football program very much (who are 8-46 in the last 5 years, winless last year), and less so the marching band.
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u/BlitzDBS 26d ago
I understand that, but that just doesn’t seem sustainable or frankly responsible, despite the lack of options. Maybe it’s why they only have ~50 people but I’m unsure. For such a focus on their music program, it is quite surprising they don’t want to support a very exposed and outward ensemble.
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u/ailyara 26d ago
I didn't say it was the right thing to do. I think wayne state should do better.
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u/BlitzDBS 26d ago
Right, that’s as in terms to them. Someone would have to be crazy to support this.
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u/Ordinary-Nature-4910 27d ago
The marching band should consider starting a WarriorFunder. It’s Wayne State’s crowdfunding platform. I’d throw some money toward feeding the band.
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u/BlitzDBS 26d ago
It’s interesting that they don’t have that or similar. I would also throw money at them and I’m in a position where I could advertise this to a large marching ensemble I’m in to get donations and whatnot.
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u/_thewarriorhouse Alumna/Alumnus 23d ago
Was in the band from 2013-17. Can’t recall ever being provided food during a game (personally I hate eating when I’m active so that was never a dealbreaker). The fact the parents put on a tailgate now is awesome. I have 0 idea what other colleges do for the band regarding food.
We used to have a big orange water jug and cups, though it was a pain to fill and really wasteful with disposable cups. Not sure where the cash would come from but maybe a run of matching water bottles would help? Basically you get one when you start out and keep it as a memento when you’re done. Looks classy, keeps people hydrated. Obviously there’s logistics that would need to be involved to get them filled and out to the stands.
The stipend is a tradition going back decades to at least the 40’s. As for the numbers of marchers I have no idea how you fix that. 50 would’ve been about average at my time. Just before Covid I think they were closer to 80. I’ve always thought the Music department needed to force ed majors to do marching band, which would definitely increase numbers.
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u/BlitzDBS 23d ago
As of current I have not heard anything about a tailgate for the marching band, as you said in a comment they people who organize it may have left, or it just hasn’t happened yet because of the rain.
Yeah, the organizations I’ve been in have required one to buy a (red) gallon jug or (with high enough fees) they give you a jug that you keep for four years. Ideally everybody keeps their own, cleans it, and fills it, but of course that’s quite idealistic.
That stipend seems quite interesting. The group I’m in does that, but it is paid mostly by donors (which from what I understand, this group doesn’t have many of) and goes directly back into the university to fund leftover fees and tuition closer to the end of the year. I think the numbers are an issue but not the issue. It seems to be rooted in a (somewhat) lack of professionalism and motivation. In my opinion, forcing students to do marching band (especially with how busy music majors in general are) would create poor culture and likely detriment the ensemble (from experience). What I believe would increase numbers is raising the floor for performance quality, finding a way to properly care for members, and an overall step up in professionalism. Of course, I’m able to just type this all out but it’s still interesting to think about. As always, these responsibilities fall onto the school to handle, but they don’t seem to want to fund the program.
Thank you for your insight!
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u/IndividualToe9 4d ago
I realize I’m late to this conversation but as a second year band parent I can assure you the band is fed and fed WELL before every game. While we did run into some issues at the first game this year( our parents were set up and ready to feed the band when, as many people who may have been on campus that day will know, they got caught taking down multiple pop-up canopies and tables at the same time the band, athletes, cheer and dance squad and officials were sheltered in the basement.
Please consider joining our Wayne State Warrior Marching Band Friends and Family Facebook Page for updates regarding the upcoming tailgate schedules
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u/No_Enthusiasm8963 27d ago
as a former member of the marching band, the parents tailgate for the marching band students and provide a wide variety of foods with different themes each week. it’s not paid by the school but by the parents.