Question For Members Of H.O.T.

[Guest JulmisteForPrez]

Just saw a photo of H.O.T. and that got me to wondering about the numbers for this upcoming season.

Any of you current band members know if the numbers will be about the same as last year, or maybe more?

:gobulls Herd Of Thunder rocks

[BullMedic]

No numbers have been stated that I know of. Should be around the same size as last year if not bigger. A more exact count won't really come till Camp in August.

[HOTbull]

It was said earlier in the year that Athletics was going to cap HOT at 300

[Southshore26]

It was said earlier in the year that Athletics was going to cap HOT at 300

If they're going to pull that kind of crap they better start funding the program properly.

[Guest JulmisteForPrez]

It was said earlier in the year that Athletics was going to cap HOT at 300

If they're going to pull that kind of crap they better start funding the program properly.

Absolutely.  :nutkick

[bull2saintleo]

I have some friends in HOT, and yes the cap is at 300, but I am unsure if Athletics mandated this rule.  I know budget cuts have been happening all over the campus, and the band may have enacted this rule on their own to help out.

[Southshore26]

I have some friends in HOT, and yes the cap is at 300, but I am unsure if Athletics mandated this rule.  I know budget cuts have been happening all over the campus, and the band may have enacted this rule on their own to help out.

With Dr. Rob now gone(This will be one of the greatest losses to USF... mark my words)  it remains to be seen but last season he told me to my face that he would never limit the size of HOT. From what I understand the majority of the budget of HOT if not all of it comes from the athletic department. As the band has grown each year, the athletic department has seen fit to cut the total budget each year. They've thrown gauntlet after gauntlet.... imposing a cap on the size of HOT reeks of the athletic department.

/rant off

[KB]

How's that CD coming along?

[Bulls 8_va]

First of all, yes D. Rob is gone, but - as much as he did for the USF Athletic Band program - it is currently a well-oiled machine and is in the capable hands of the Assistant Director of Athletic Bands(Schnetty) as well as logistics coordinator/Band Manager(Mary Dooley), for one year until the University hires a new Director of Athletic Bands in 2009.  Not to mention the start of the USF HOT Alumni Association!!!  We will be there in Full Force this year at the homecoming game playing alongside HOT for the first time. 

Lets face it...once this budget fiasco gets back to normal and we learn how to divey up the band stipends(freshman should not get paid), the numbers will go up.  My understanding was that they were going to cap the band at 300 and hold auditions for the next couple of years - BECAUSE OF THE BUDGET.  They are going to get about 450-500 kids that want to be in the band.  So they are going to take returning members from last year (about 225), and Audition for the remaining 75-100 spots.  This will make the band get much better MUCH FASTER!!!  Then when the time/budget is right, they will be able to expand to 350 and beyond.  Can we have a 400+ member band? Absolutely!  But can the school afford to send that band to every close away game?  Without splitting it up?  nope!

Personally, I say that the school is full of crap and should think of a cost efficient way to have the band reach 400+  like it would this year.  However, in the long run, the current option will be much more beneficial to the band and will make HOT a privilege, as opposed to just something you do.  People want to be in HOT now, so an audition process will allow people to actually fight to keep their spots in the band.  In a couple of years we will be ready to add some more.  However, there is always the obstacle of Uniforms, HOT only owns 400.  Not enough to field a band of more than 350(size differences and such).  I estimate that if the budget scare goes away, then the HOT will reach a number of 350 auditioned members that will rock your FREAKIN' FACE OFF!!!  As it is, 300 member is twice as big as any other band in the Conference.  WVU is the only band that can hold a candle to HOT, they are in the 300's as well. 

Don't worry guys,

Listen, I'm one of HOT's biggest fans(those who know me can chime in), and I trust the HOT staff with whatever decision they make.  The only reason they are held back sometimes is because of the athletic department/University. 

GO BULLS!!!

[IHuckItDeep]

limiting the band to 300 does suck......but a 300 member H.O.T. would be the biggest ever for USF.....and that is a big band....