The band's job is to be a representative and ambassador of the University, not just for football entertainment. Of course, the primary responsibility as an athletic band is to support the athletic programs, but the overall goal is to represent the university.
If we want exclusivity, then Athletics should fork up the dough to pay for the band 100%. The majority of funding for the bands comes from the kids between tuition, fees, and supplies. I agree though, let's get the band to out of state away games. I wish we had more travel when I was in HOT.
This was an opportunity to represent the University and HOT delivered - to both this and the Bowl game. There were multiple contingencies in place should we have made a larger bowl game or needed more personnel. The HOT staff is pretty smart and good at what they do.