Truman State Homecoming

Here is a quick video from the homecoming parade at my Alma Mater, Truman State University. I didn’t get a Ronza today, but I can have one any time if I want to, so thought I should let the out of town people get a chance.

It made me nostalgic to sit on the curb and watch the bands go by. The university band, now known as the “Statesmen,” is a great deal smaller (I didn’t even see any cymbals marching with them) than when I marched in the late 80′s and early 90′s. The name change from The Showboat Gamblers (or just “Gamblers”) came at the urging of a former university president. Here is the reason, in director Dan Peterson’s, own words (via FaceBook).

“We had to change the name, because there was a radio station in St. Louis that kept talking about the “Gambling ” problem at Truman, and the large number of “Gamblers”, and it led to the president asking me to change the name. circa 1999. “Statesmen” seems to be working alright, just doesn’t have the charisma”.

Though there are many changes, from the size and style of the band, to the paint job on the Pagliai’s truck, the homecoming experience was essentially the same as in years past, except I wasn’t in uniform, and didn’t have to freeze at the football game.