First off, I would like to say that I do appreciate that my article didn’t go unnoticed. I also will agree to disagree on sports. I’d like to address the attacks on my character, which are unrelated to any of the arguments in my article.
I’m glad to see that Zachary Upcheshaw agrees with himself by stating that, “I was indeed right;” however, I don’t see what he’s trying to prove. Here is an honest question: Do you actually see my antics or just that of the band?
As for song selection, I agree that it may not always be the best for the moment. However, it is not up to the band to choose the songs. It is up to the directors who choose them ahead of time, and they can’t tell what the mood will be. There are songs we play that aren’t even up to the director, but from those higher up who “recommend” we play it. FYI, all of the music we play is original, not off the shelf charts like almost every other college band.
On bashing the student section, I’d like to know how they were bashed. Honestly, I would like to know so I can see where Upcheshaw is coming from. I haven’t seen it in the DC all season. Maybe he hears it from people around him, which may explain why he thinks that the students are bashed. I hear it on occasion, but definitely not all year.
I’d also like to correct the quote that he took from my article; he left out the word “much.” I said that “the student section has been bashed much this year.” On the contradictory quotes, I say he got me. I didn’t phase it properly. I concede that point to him. As a side note, I’m pretty sure everyone knew what he meant by bash, and that was unnecessary; and no it didn’t clear it up.
I’d like to hear the SMU PD’s reasons for their particular responses at the game because neither of us would ever truly know, although we can debate that the rest of the year. However I think students will tire of that. I have no idea why the students weren’t let back in if they passed administered tests.
What I would say to that is talk to the SMU PD. I agree that all the teams deserve that kind of support and the fans the right to stay and cheer. You could ask the police why those students weren’t given that right; maybe an officer will be the fourth rebuttal in our chain.
I’d like to know where in my original article I attacked Upcheshaw personally. What purpose does it serve in relation to SMU athletics? I could point out that you “objectify” women with your comment on the volleyball team as “scantily clad girls.”
I was using humor to get my point across. I hope now we can move pass this blemish on our debate and continue with our discussion.
I am sure that the students did unite for the Memphis game. I didn’t say it needed to be immediate support for everything including the cricket club, just more. Try starting with the Division I sports, like both basketball teams, the soccer teams, etc; and you can’t forget the next major sport for us: football.
I agree that we need to crawl first, but that’s all we’ve done since the Death Penalty. I think it is about time to walk.
About the Writer:
Paul Vattakavanich is a senior finance, economics major. He can be reached at [email protected].