RockEuph Posted July 30, 2012 Share Posted July 30, 2012 And yet, several of my arguments have not been addressed. Who is the one not listening here? Your main concern is the lack of a regional in the west. That has been addressed many times. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
azul Posted July 30, 2012 Share Posted July 30, 2012 Ok so chiming in late here but a few points I'd like to make. I think if west coast can handle it every year, the east coast/midwest can handle every few years. I mean c'mon, PC, Mandarins, Academy and Cascades can muscle it. Yes Cascades full tour but start late due to their schooling schedules and when the kids are released. Once they start, they are on for the rest of the season. Some corps have the right idea when getting their buses. For example, BD uses the same bus company as Bluecoats so when tour is over, the buses don't have to go far. I know this because I accidentally almost went on a Blue Devils bus during my time at coats. Also, my 3 years at Pacific Crest, we used a bus company out of Virginia I think once we left California so that cut some costs. Obviously some corps have the right idea when it comes to getting buses so why can't all of them get on that if/when they come out west? It's simple logic!!! When Bloo came out west in 2009, they tried to set a goal to come out every 3-4 years so they might be out here soon again. With the new stadium in the San Fran area being built, Citrus College's stadium, The SD Chargers stadium, Stanford, Santa Barbara City College, and many others in the area I think having finals out here would be a huge possibility again! I mean ya that crap happened to Spirit out here in 07 but where have you been that doesn't have a bad area? I mean, look what happened to BK recently. Heck, I remember PC's housing site in 08 was a bit sketchy and they have stayed there several times! So to say the areas are bad is pathetic because every state has a bad area. Just my thoughts on some things =) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fullcount Posted July 30, 2012 Share Posted July 30, 2012 We have DCI west out here? Most of the reason is because the schedule has shows on both coasts at the same time, so a corps can either have their spring training near their home base, and start shows there, or travel out to the west coast to start there. And when you're hosting shows, it would probably not be good to not be there. Another reason is the distribution of corps. In world class, there are 4 corps in california, 1 in arizona, 1 in washington, and 1 in colorado. That's 7 out of 22, so less than a third. It's easier for them to travel east than have everyone else go west, especially because the west coast corps seem to be the ones with the most secure financial footing Make that 8 out of 22 - Troopers are from Wyoming. This year Troopers members all had to meet in Indianapolis for their move-in all days. By July they also traveled back west to host their own show in Casper, and then went to the Denver show (even though it essentially was rained out) and then headed back east. I guess if Troopers can do an east to west and back east again tour, other corps could do something similar, even if it's just going as far as Denver or Salt Lake City. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fsubone Posted July 30, 2012 Share Posted July 30, 2012 Oh come on. Bingo isn't the only possible way to raise money. Are you really suggesting that BD and SCV are successful because they came up with the idea to do Bingo? Surely they don't have a monopoly on creative fundraising activities. You seen their books? Have you seen how much money they make in bingo? It pretty much has financed SCV's winter programs, and them getting a new truck. You can't tell me that those bingo programs aren't raising them money. Yes, they do other programs (System Blue, Community Dance Project, Diablo Wind Symphony) but it is a HUGE contributor, that other corps don't have available to them. Most states do not allow gambling in them, so there is no way for the corps to a bingo program to fundraise 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JSoprano Posted July 30, 2012 Share Posted July 30, 2012 You seen their books? Have you seen how much money they make in bingo? It pretty much has financed SCV's winter programs, and them getting a new truck. You can't tell me that those bingo programs aren't raising them money. Yes, they do other programs (System Blue, Community Dance Project, Diablo Wind Symphony) but it is a HUGE contributor, that other corps don't have available to them. Most states do not allow gambling in them, so there is no way for the corps to a bingo program to fundraise I've got an idea . . . back in the old days most of the corps were aligned with VFW post. Why not associate each corps with an Indian Casino $$$ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quadman1 Posted July 30, 2012 Share Posted July 30, 2012 Affiliating with Indian casinos might be interesting, but the corps would have to figure out what it could offer the particular Indian tribe/nation in exchange for funding. In many areas, such as Sacramento, the rise of Indian gaming casinos has led to the demise of local bingo halls (there are only so many gambling dollars to go around). When I marched with the Freelancers in the early 1980s, we had a large and thriving bingo operation that funded much of the corps' operation. When Indian casinos were legalized and expanded rapidly into the '90s, the bingo business was crushed, and the corps eventually had to leave the field. There may have been some other organizational issues, but the drying up of the primary funding source was the real killer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JSoprano Posted July 30, 2012 Share Posted July 30, 2012 On a serious note . . . It absolute BULL #### that we get to see BD, SCV, Blue Knights, Troop, and whomever ventures out here from the East of the Rockies for the FIRST TWO or THREE shows (in Nor Cal). Why does Charolette, NC deserve shows 3/4 of the way through tour with polished shows and scores in the 90's, not 70's. Don't even get me started on the fact that they want us to pay Finals type pricing because the show is in Stanford Stadium - BFD! Some of the Best performances ever in California were in Spartan Stadium (San Jose State). I've said this before, and save your flame throwers because I know what you're going to say if you live west of the Rockies, but virtually every sport has a home field advantage (for best records). In my opinion, the DCI Finals should be held in the state of the previous years DCI Champion. This year it would be in where ever the Cadets are calling home now (they will alway be Garfield to me). Ya'll think there'd be any booing if Saturdays show was in the Rose Bowl (same scores, same placements)??? 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JSoprano Posted July 30, 2012 Share Posted July 30, 2012 Affiliating with Indian casinos might be interesting, but the corps would have to figure out what it could offer the particular Indian tribe/nation in exchange for funding. In many areas, such as Sacramento, the rise of Indian gaming casinos has led to the demise of local bingo halls (there are only so many gambling dollars to go around). When I marched with the Freelancers in the early 1980s, we had a large and thriving bingo operation that funded much of the corps' operation. When Indian casinos were legalized and expanded rapidly into the '90s, the bingo business was crushed, and the corps eventually had to leave the field. There may have been some other organizational issues, but the drying up of the primary funding source was the real killer. Quadman, What's up? No love for the Cache Creek Flaming Seven's Drum and Bugle Corps possibility? Maybe the Thunder Valley Double Down's is more to your liking? That's why I (jokingly) through that out there. In all honesty, I'm back in the bay area again (after 18 years away), and I am always surprised that any of the corps survive at all, given the close proximity to the casinos. I could jump in the car right now and would have my choice of at least 3 different casinos and drive less than 2 hours. On another note, because my family is from Hawaii, it would put a world of hurt in Vegas and the Indian casinos if the Native Hawaiian started up casinos. They're just as indigenous . . . Peace! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ajwdad Posted July 30, 2012 Share Posted July 30, 2012 You seen their books? Have you seen how much money they make in bingo? It pretty much has financed SCV's winter programs, and them getting a new truck. You can't tell me that those bingo programs aren't raising them money. Yes, they do other programs (System Blue, Community Dance Project, Diablo Wind Symphony) but it is a HUGE contributor, that other corps don't have available to them. Most states do not allow gambling in them, so there is no way for the corps to a bingo program to fundraise They don't make nearly as much as you indicate. BD does charitable gambling, which is allowed in every state except for Arkansas, Tennessee, Hawaii, and Utah. Definitely, there are laws to follow and hoops to jump through, but it can be done. The real reason that there is not major west coast shows is that marketing within DCI sucks. Basically, the west coast fan base is not among those that DCI cares about. Period. All of the rest is justification and misdirection/misinformation. The answer is to grow the fan base... And most international sporting organizations cannot do that by locking in set venues for decades at at time. But, DCI simply is either incompetent in marketing or does not care. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ajwdad Posted July 30, 2012 Share Posted July 30, 2012 (edited) On a serious note . . . It absolute BULL #### that we get to see BD, SCV, Blue Knights, Troop, and whomever ventures out here from the East of the Rockies for the FIRST TWO or THREE shows (in Nor Cal). Why does Charolette, NC deserve shows 3/4 of the way through tour with polished shows and scores in the 90's, not 70's. Don't even get me started on the fact that they want us to pay Finals type pricing because the show is in Stanford Stadium - BFD! Some of the Best performances ever in California were in Spartan Stadium (San Jose State). I've said this before, and save your flame throwers because I know what you're going to say if you live west of the Rockies, but virtually every sport has a home field advantage (for best records). In my opinion, the DCI Finals should be held in the state of the previous years DCI Champion. This year it would be in where ever the Cadets are calling home now (they will alway be Garfield to me). Ya'll think there'd be any booing if Saturdays show was in the Rose Bowl (same scores, same placements)??? +1 You are 100% right about the shows, home field advantage etc... And the top 3 open class corps are all west coast. And I like your idea about finals. But, that would require some work (oh no, we cannot have DCI actually doing work can we?) As for all of the hand wringing that is going on out there, save the logistical whining for later. There are far more demanding venues than DCI that can accommodate changing every championship. I think one is currently going on in London. DCI needs to step it up. This is my last travel to Indy. 4 times is enough for a lifetime. Edited July 30, 2012 by ajwdad Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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