Stanford, Cal bands mostly left behind on ACC trips, another realignment casualty

The end of an era

For decades, the bands from Stanford University and the University of California, Berkeley have been a staple at their respective schools' football games. The bands would travel to every away game, providing a raucous atmosphere for the team and the fans. However, with the recent realignment of the Pac-12 Conference, the bands are now mostly being left behind on ACC trips.

The Pac-12's new television contract with ESPN requires that all conference games be televised on either ESPN or ESPN2. This has led to a significant increase in the number of Pac-12 games that are played on the East Coast. As a result, the bands have found it increasingly difficult to travel to these games.

A costly venture

Traveling to the East Coast is a costly venture for the bands. The bands have to pay for transportation, lodging, and food. In addition, the bands often have to miss classes in order to travel to the games. This can be a significant academic burden for the students.

The bands have tried to find ways to reduce the cost of travel. Stanford has partnered with Southwest Airlines to get a discounted rate on flights. Cal has started a crowdfunding campaign to help pay for travel expenses. However, the bands are still struggling to make ends meet.

A sad reality

The fact that the bands are being left behind is a sad reality of the new college football landscape. The bands are an important part of the gameday experience, and it is unfortunate that they are not able to travel to all of the games. However, the bands are determined to continue to represent their schools, even if they have to do it from afar.

The impact on the bands

The decision to leave the bands behind has had a significant impact on the bands themselves. The bands have lost a valuable source of revenue. In addition, the bands have lost the opportunity to perform in front of a national audience. This can make it difficult to recruit new members and to raise funds.

The bands are also concerned about the impact that this decision will have on the gameday experience. The bands believe that their presence at the games helps to create a more festive and exciting atmosphere. Without the bands, the games may feel less like a special occasion.

The future of the bands

It is unclear what the future holds for the Stanford and Cal bands. The bands are hopeful that they will be able to find a way to continue to travel to all of the games. However, it is also possible that the bands will have to scale back their travel plans. Only time will tell what the future holds for these two iconic bands.

Conclusion

The decision to leave the Stanford and Cal bands behind on ACC trips is a disappointing one. The bands are an important part of the gameday experience, and it is unfortunate that they are not able to travel to all of the games. However, the bands are determined to continue to represent their schools, even if they have to do it from afar.