2019 Madison Scouts!

[ftwdrummer]

5 hours ago, MikeRapp said:

The tough thing about Scouts is, their historical identity was about masculinity, not the type of shows they did. Cavaliers seem to have moved on from the whole gender thing to just being Cavaliers—but for whatever reasons, Scouts alums still insist on defining Scouts in terms of history and male-ism.

Lots of people mocked Bluecoats when they first ran out onto the field in their squiggle costumes. But they aren’t laughing now.

Scouts, like all entities, have to find their identity. Fwiw I think they were dead in the water by playing to the whole “Superman suit” crowd.

There is still a huge contingency of Miami Fl football fans who insist that The U continue to be defined as it was in the 80s: a bizarre collection of thugs, criminals and social misfits who were only at Miami to play football. But that era is gone and time marches on. 

Not quite sure why this was going off of my quote, given that mine was in reference to the specifics of using this year's show as a throwback rebuild.

Don't disagree with what you said; just not sure how it relates to what I said.

[Gantang]

9 hours ago, billj said:

They've had female members in, what, 3 or 4 past years?

One year, 2018. She was given a member jacket. Bonnie Howard and Rebecca Hershman were billed as Guest Performers. 

Edited August 3, 2019 by Gantang
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[Jeff Ream]

Saw it live. Way too bass patch heavy

[jordsterr]

1 hour ago, Gantang said:

One year, 2018. She was given a member jacket. Bonnie Howard and Rebecca Hershman were billed as Guest Performers. 

I was too young to see the first one, but I cannot imagine why "Carmen" wouldn't be given a jacket.  She was the freaking star of the show!

[FlamMan]

8 hours ago, MikeRapp said:

The tough thing about Scouts is, their historical identity was about masculinity, not the type of shows they did.

Nope. It was the combination of both. Neither works without the other. Fans LOVED Madison shows and the machismo.

[WarriorHal]

8 hours ago, billj said:

Not really. The sooner people get over this, the better because I seriously doubt this decision will be undone.  

What I took issue with is your statement that there is no difference between 150+ guys and one girl guest performer and a fully coed corps. That is ridiculous.

Beyond that, you actually believe that  fundamentally changing the makeup of the corps and tossing aside 80+ years of history and tradition is no big deal? You "don't understand the uproar" over the decision and "this is the way of world,"  so anybody who has a different opinion needs to just "get over this." Got it.🙄

[FlamMan]

13 minutes ago, WarriorHal said:

What I took issue with is your statement that there is no difference between 150+ guys and one girl guest performer and a fully coed corps. That is ridiculous.

Beyond that, you actually believe that  fundamentally changing the makeup of the corps and tossing aside 80+ years of history and tradition is no big deal? You "don't understand the uproar" over the decision and "this is the way of world,"  so anybody who has a different opinion needs to just "get over this." Got it.🙄

Exactly right WH. Just ridiculous.

[billj]

4 hours ago, WarriorHal said:

What I took issue with is your statement that there is no difference between 150+ guys and one girl guest performer and a fully coed corps. That is ridiculous.

Beyond that, you actually believe that  fundamentally changing the makeup of the corps and tossing aside 80+ years of history and tradition is no big deal? You "don't understand the uproar" over the decision and "this is the way of world,"  so anybody who has a different opinion needs to just "get over this." Got it.🙄

"Traditions" (there are other words that could be used) regarding exclusion based on gender are a dying breed, and for good reason. So, I'm saying that this isn't a new or surprising thing to happen.

Everyone is free to feel how they want, but there's no amount of outrage that's going to undo this, so it seems like misplaced energy. I have only so much free time and energy and I spend it only on things I can control. 

Would anyone like to look the Scout's female members from past in the eye and tell them that they weren't really members?

[Gantang]

8 hours ago, jordsterr said:

I was too young to see the first one, but I cannot imagine why "Carmen" wouldn't be given a jacket.  She was the freaking star of the show!

She did marry the drum major. That was better than a jacket!

[Deb's Diner]

 

I have been a Madison Scout fan since my teenage years.  I was a volunteer from 2003-2009 running the food program.  I am the Mother of a Madison Scout. I live with a Madison Scout who marched from 1969-1976.  My SO has volunteered multiple seasons as a semi driver.

 

 

Many posts talk about the Scout’s placement success until 2007.  For the past 12 years we have witnessed the Scout’s sliding from 6^th to 17^th and bouncing from 17^th to 12^th and back.  Since 2007 we bite our nails as the season winds down wondering “will the Scouts make Semi-finals and/or finals.”

 

 

In 1975, the first Championship year, Bill Howard walked into a staff meeting and delivered a simple message: “I want an undefeated season.“ The staff delivered.  Beyond this championship, the Scouts were known for “blow your face off” entertaining shows.  The Scouts would rather produce an entertaining show than a show for high placement.  Is there anything wrong with producing both:  entertainment and placement?  One year while I was on the cook truck a staff member commented that he talked about setting a goal to win and he was told that was not the Scout way.  Fine, but is the Scout way to be in 17^th (or lower) place?

 

 

The corps has also moved from respected and revered TRADITIONS.  When is the last year we witnessed a company front breaking into a fleur dis leis?  Handing out members jackets was a revered ceremony.  Veterans and staff talked to the members about the meaning of the jacket, the rules of the jacket, the importance of the jacket, the pride in wearing a MS jacket.  When ndkbass received his jacket in 2007, a BOD member brought the box to the housing site, put the box on the gym floor and the kids dug threw for their jackets.  The nail program was started by staff who were Alum as a program to link MM with alum.  During one of my SCV years, I talked with the staff member who started the nail program and learned the program has been converted to a fundraiser.   The MM were so proud of their nails and the connection to an alum.  One MM REFUSED to remove his nail when he entered the Marines.  He came up with a good story and was allowed to wear his nail.  His story:  This nail represents my religion and it’s the Madison Scouts!

 

 

The leadership of the MM needs to be returned to the MM.  Strong leaders from previous years need to return to guide the new MM on how to be a Scout (not a strong man but a strong Scout.)  MM need to understand the history and legacy they are participating in and carrying forward.  SCOUTS ARE IN THE HOUSE!

 

 

This corps has 81 years of TRADITION and HISTORY.  If you truly love this corps and want to see it rise like a Phoenix, then get involved.  Do something, anything.  Sign up to volunteer.  Volunteers are the life blood of tour; camps and Spring training.  Go to a BOD meeting and/or Annual meeting and voice your opinion.  Cast your vote.  

 

 

Airing concerns and griping on DCP will not affect the needed change:  DP and CK and the BOD must be replaced, soon.  If not, they need to take a group photo for the final chapter of the Scouts history book:  these are the folks responsible for the demise of the Madison Scouts.

Regarding "Carmen" not being a full member and receiving a jacket:  when Michael introduced "Carmen" to the members they were told she was a guest performer, and not a full member, therefore she  would not receive a jacket.   

Edited August 3, 2019 by Deb's Diner
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