Pulling away from the drill writing table can be difficult if not impossible for me. But lately I’ve been of the mind that it is far too easy to make excuses and not get out in the world and do things. And today’s UDMB Alumni event at the Blue Rocks game was a perfect example of just that: getting away from “responsibility” and visiting with old friends!
There were a total of 26 of us (we missed you Gene Paulus–thanks for putting it all together. And thank you Laura (Sirianni) Doughty for all your help in making it a success! ) and plenty of food, soda, and yes, beer. The sun was blazing, the Blue Rocks were losing….not like I was even watching the game, but it’s the principle of the thing….and the stories of “when I was in the band” were being swapped back and forth.
It was great to catch up with people and their lives. And it was great to see representation from virtually all eras: JR King, Streckfuss and Hamant bands were all accounted for, as well as little old me and my “children.”
There is no question in my mind that we have to make this an annual event. If it’s on the calendar for an August game each year that folks will have something to look forward to and it will be easier to promote.
26 this year. Let’s aim for 50+ next year!
…and alumni are welcome to join us and even play!
Room 207 was filled beyond capacity this evening and yes, I apologize for being so cryptic and down right evil with regard to my lack of forthcoming information–but I wanted as many people there as possible!
I have spent the last year trying to think of something new for the UDMB to do and finally the opportunity presented itself: a good old fashioned band trip. That means that each person will need to fund their own trip (about $2,000.00 on average but that includes airfare, hotels, most meals and more) but what the heck–let’s go to Ireland for New Year’s 2010!
The extra “kick” is to invite UDMB Alumni back for the trip as well, and not just to go, but to play in the band again!
There is still an enormous amount of work to do and in order to keep everyone up to date I’ve started a website: Ireland 2009
Oh, and one more thing: we’re going with another university marching band and their alumni, parents and families….UMASS!
Dear Alums,
I realize this is very short notice but if you’re in the area tomorrow (Thursday, March 27th) evening, please stop by AED Room 207 at 5:45 PM for an announcement about our future. The meeting will be very brief–approximately 20 minutes in length.
If you cannot be there (as I’m sure most of you cannot) I promise to post here as well as via eGroups later that evening.
Over the years we have taken trip after trip with the UDMB. You all remember trips to Boston, Villanova, JMU, UMASS, BOA, and Chattanooga the first time. Everyone has tons and tons of memories from them–those trips are what makes being part of the UDMB something you can never truly explain to people. Well this past weekend on our 2nd visit to the town of the Choo-Choo was perhaps the most positive, most fulfilling and proudest moment of my career!
After approval by President Harker I had 5 days of preparation time with the help of the gang in Athletics to organize charter flights, a hotel, buses to and from both airports, meal money, 2 equipment trucks, and of course, help with any students who had to juggle final exams! (Oh yes, and I have been sick since Banquet on the 18th so it was even more fun!!)
For those of you who remember the trip in 2003—this one was the complete opposite!!!! (including the outcome of the game unfortunately.)
- 4:30 AM—entire band (the ENTIRE BAND!!) was sitting in Loudis.
- 4:45 AM —all meal money issued
- 6:00 AM—buses loaded for NCC Airport
- 8:00 AM—flights delayed due to fog….this was the ONLY snag!
- 11:00 AM—first flight departs
- 12:00 PM—2nd flight departs
- 3:00 PM—all band members checked into hotel and looking for food
- 3:30 PM—tubas go to early portion of pep rally
- 5:45 PM—full band marches down sidewalk with police escort to pep rally
- 6:15 PM—UD Pep Rally in stadium Pavilion surrounded by over 10,000 people!!! (this was simply outrageous!!!)
- 12:30 AM—game over; band at hotel (and no problems AT ALL!!!)
NEXT DAY…..so to speak…
- 6:00 AM—first buses depart for airport
- 11:00 AM—2nd set of buses depart for airport/first flight enroute for home
- 2:00 PM—2nd flight enroute for home (both flights on perfect schedule)
- 4:30 PM—all students and staff home for the holidays!
A flawless trip!! Oh and the best part: compliment after compliment from the bus company, airport people, the hotel manager gave ME a thank you note!!!, random folks in Chattanooga and UD administration regarding the behavior of the band and how it exuded class and dignity from start to finish.
My dear friends, you laid the groundwork and you can stand tall and know that the 2007 UDMB made you proud from start to finish this year!
Now that is what I call the perfect holiday gift!!
~~sarv
Hey all!
First let me say how excited I am to be working with you all in the Alumni Band group. The Alumni Band is an official satellite group of the UD Alumni Association. The UDAA is a group dedicated to building and maintaining a strong relationship between the school and the alumni. UDAA does many wonderful things, and amongst them is the funding for satellite groups (such as ours) to foster alumni relationships. This means that we can request funding for our group from the Alumni Association.
As Sarv mentioned in her previous posts, we have a lot of ideas for the Band Alumni, and I want to hear yours as well. I’d like to see many more social events, group outings, and all around merrymaking not just during football season, but year round as well. Maybe we could even get together and do some good things for “the baby band.” So send me your ideas (Epaulus@udel.edu)! (Just put “UDMB” in the title so I don’t delete them)
Also, if you’d like to help plan events/sort out ideas/assist with the newsletter/generally contribute time/anything in general, let me know by sending me an e-mail (see above). The more people willing to help, the more things we can do
We also want to get updated contact information from you all so that we can send out Homecoming stuff, as well as invitations to social events, and even the new e-newsletter that we’re working on putting together for you all, so keep an eye out for instructions on how to update your info.
-Gene Paulus
It was time…time for a new look and a new way to communicate with all the alumni of the UDMB. It was also time for flexibility! By creating a website/blog for the UDMBAA the Board can get involved in posting and updating, and take more control of the direction of our group.
Over time this site will grow. Gene Paulus, our new UDAA Representative has some incredible ideas and a wonderful view of purpose and goals for us! I am incredibly excited about having him at the helm of the UDMBAA.
One of our biggest endeavors is to create a current and updated directory. Discussions on the most efficient way of doing this are currently ongoing and hopefully you will see something on this site about it in the near future. In the meantime, join our eGroups that is hosted on Yahoo. It is a great way to share stories, life events, and just stay in touch with old friends. (The link is on the right column.)
Much to do and, as usual, not enough time to get it all done. Once again it was great to see so many of you at Homecoming on the 13th!
–his