This letter posted in yesterday's paper was nothing short of despicable. I simply cannot decide who to be more angry with: the foolish alumni who wrote it or our university newspaper for publishing it.
Firstly, the accusations of us being boring during our time on television. I would like to point out two VERY key differences between the Rose Parade and the parade the 110 is more well known for, the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. At Macy's, bands are given a chance to perform in all of their glory in front of cameras right in front of Macy's as the 110 did in 2000 and 2005. We have the chance to do what we do best. A dance chart. HOWEVER: There is no giant spotlight on bands during the Rose Parade. You come around the corner, march past the grandstands and the bands are expected by the Rose Committee to be PLAYING. THAT is your television time. We marched, played and danced for five-and-a-half miles, entertaining tens of thousands of screaming people who loved what we brought to the parade. What we brought, we brought with energy, as the 110 ALWAYS does.
Regarding his words against Dr. Suk's work ethic, I am appalled. The 110 is lucky to have Dr. Suk, and he can be described with many positive words, none of which are lazy. Also, from the perspective of someone who sweats along with everyone else everyday in the fall at band practice, I can assure you the 110 isn't lazy either. As for his juvenile play on words for Dr. Suk's name, I could not believe The Post even printed such a slanderous and insulting comment about a beloved and respected professional. Being a music education major myself, I cannot even begin to describe my respect for Dr. Suk, and for all he has done in the field of music education. If I become half the band director he is I would consider myself lucky. Seeing one of my mentors being mocked in OUR university's newspaper makes me absolutely furious.
Now for my anger at The Post. I love Ohio University and will tell anyone who listens. Whenever I meet an alumni, 110 or otherwise, we always seem to have something to talk about; how much we love Ohio University and Athens. I think of this university as something special that the hundreds of Buckeye fans could never understand ... Yes, we aren't nationally ranked in sports, our academics are good quality, but not of Harvard-caliber and we have a band that has to fight not be confused with The Best Damn Band in the Land wherever we go. We are constantly in the shadow of Ohio State. That is why the people who love OU need to support one another.
The 110 going to the Rose Parade was an HONOR, and as soon as all exhausted and jet lagged 220 of us get home, we see slop like this being published in our school's paper. How do you think that makes us feel? Paying $1,400 out of pocket, marching in all conditions, hurt knees and sickness, we put in all that we had to give. All 110 percent of it. That is what we ALWAYS do. The least we can expect is a little praise from our university, and we get spit on. 110 alums should be first in line to say that they are proud of us. When I get a compliment from an alum, I feel so proud to be a member of the Marching 110, due to the fact that it is so deeply rooted in tradition. I cannot understand for the life of me why The Post would run this insulting letter before even ONE WORD of congratulations was uttered. That is what baffles me the most. We are all Bobcats, and you should be proud to have a band that loves the university as much as we do.
Feel free to pass this along to Mr. Dennis Sullivan, who wasn't brave enough to leave his own e-mail address in his letter.
Julia Brewer is a junior studying music education and a section leader in the Marching 110.
4 Opinion
Letter to the Editor
