The University of Nebraska Lincoln School of Music presents the Cornhusker Marching Band Exhibition on Friday, August 22, 7:00 p.m. in Memorial Stadium. Get a head start on the Husker football season with the 2008 pre-game show of the Cornhusker Marching Band, one of the nation's premier marching bands as they preview the musical highlights of what is destined to be another exciting Husker season.

Admission is FREE and open to the public. Enter the stadium through gate 3 in the southwest corner or gate 11 in the northwest corner. The stadium gates will open at 6:30 p.m. Seating is available in the lower level of the west stands. Patrons are encouraged to use the downtown parking garages (there is a fee for parking). There is no rain date for this event.

I'm posting this along with a question for current students, alums and otherwise. When I was a student (1980-1987, when I smashed a four-year degree into seven years), I always tried to make it to the stadium in time to see the band run onto the field. Guys from my dorm and other friends were in the band, and I loved to see them hit the field running, get to their positions and simultaneously start to play. 

When I do get home for a game, the whole tunnel walk stuff does little or nothing for me. Maybe it's a growing resentment I have for canned entertainment, maybe I just hate the idea of an "applause" sign at a sporting event, or maybe I hate the continued commercialization of my favorite sport. Maybe it's all of the above.

So the question - how do people feel about "The Pride Of Nebraska"? Do they still pay much attention to the band now that we've got a great big board with replays and ads splattered all over it? Has the college band been replaced in the eyes of the entertained or does it add to the entertainment value?

And do they still run onto the field before the game starts? I need to get home more often......

In any case, get out and support the band and then you can head to the bars for a beer. It's the least you can do - it is part of tradition.