2008 Woodie Awards
Dear Southerners and all those affiliated with JSU's esteemed marching band:
David Howton
Issue date: 9/15/05 Section: Opinion
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Let me start off by saying, to all those I may have offended with my last article on the Marching Southerners, I do apologize. Being a former member of a marching band, I understand that band members are sensitive about certain subjects and, apparently, I have forgotten what areas are touchy and what aren't. I have relearned each of these areas over the past week. I would like to take this time to go step by step, touching on each of the complaints that have come to my attention.
First of all, the glaring mistake about Spirit going to Japan and Great Britain. After speaking with a friend of mine, who is a former member of the Southerners, information was mixed up. He was a member of the DCI band "Cavalier" and not Spirit. I did not realize this mistake until it was too late. It was an honest mistake, and, as a human being, I can guarantee you that every human being at one point in their life will make a mistake.
To all those in the great sorority Sigma Alpha Iota: you ladies rock. Please don't take my lack of coverage of you as an insult. I tried to touch on several subjects throughout the article and was well past my limit with what I had. I meant no disrespect and I can assure you that it will be made up in due time.
To those of you who were offended with my comments about members of the band playing poker, I did not get my information on that from your website. I didn't say at any time that "ALL" members of the band play poker. I said "many". It's common knowledge around JSU that many band members play poker. Last year at Sigma Pi's Sam Spady Week poker tournament, a large portion of the 32 players were affiliated with either the Marching Southerners or Phi Mu Alpha. I have connections (friends) who play poker with many of you and that's where I got this information. I had more, but mentioning where the games are held and that some times currency is involved just seemed wrong and, after all, I was only trying to help the visibility of the band. As I mentioned before, I am a former member of a marching band and I may have let my brass bias lead me to talking about the greatest section on earth . . . the Trumpets.
First of all, the glaring mistake about Spirit going to Japan and Great Britain. After speaking with a friend of mine, who is a former member of the Southerners, information was mixed up. He was a member of the DCI band "Cavalier" and not Spirit. I did not realize this mistake until it was too late. It was an honest mistake, and, as a human being, I can guarantee you that every human being at one point in their life will make a mistake.
To all those in the great sorority Sigma Alpha Iota: you ladies rock. Please don't take my lack of coverage of you as an insult. I tried to touch on several subjects throughout the article and was well past my limit with what I had. I meant no disrespect and I can assure you that it will be made up in due time.
To those of you who were offended with my comments about members of the band playing poker, I did not get my information on that from your website. I didn't say at any time that "ALL" members of the band play poker. I said "many". It's common knowledge around JSU that many band members play poker. Last year at Sigma Pi's Sam Spady Week poker tournament, a large portion of the 32 players were affiliated with either the Marching Southerners or Phi Mu Alpha. I have connections (friends) who play poker with many of you and that's where I got this information. I had more, but mentioning where the games are held and that some times currency is involved just seemed wrong and, after all, I was only trying to help the visibility of the band. As I mentioned before, I am a former member of a marching band and I may have let my brass bias lead me to talking about the greatest section on earth . . . the Trumpets.