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Posts: 7085
Jan 23 12 5:06 PM
Bleeding Red and Blue
A PROPOSAL TO RAISE OUR SPIRIT
We, a group of loyal alumni and fanatic followers of Gael basketball, season ticket holders all, propose an idea that we feel will:
Those of us who traveled to the University of Nevada game in Reno last year were very impressed with the sound effects played when their team ran onto the court—the intimidating sound of a pack of howling wolves. The Irish theme of the Gaels, newly reinforced by the new athletic logo and lettering, presents a unique opportunity for us to do them one better. Bagpipes accompanied ancient Celtic warriors into battle for the very purpose of instilling fear in their enemies. Imagine the lights being lowered in the gym, followed by wail of bagpipes throughout McKeon rising to a crescendo as the Gaels charge out in spotlight accompanied by a pipers and a drummer. Our opponents would be unnerved. Our fans, especially the Gael Force and faithful alumni, would be worked into a frenzy that would continue to inspire the team throughout every game.
Our proposal is this: To form a booster club, in cooperation with and under the oversight of the SMC Athletic Department, to cover the expense of having bagpipers perform at the opening of home men’s basketball games.
STEEPED IN TRADITION
We have come up with the perfect name and slogan for our club. We would call our club Fear Dearg (pronounced FOR-DARE-IG), after a character from Gaelic folklore. Our slogan would be “We pay the Pipers.”) Anna’s Irish Folklore Page describes the character in this way:
The far darrig (or fear dearg) is a near relation to the leprechaun, with similar features and a short stocky body. . . . He dresses in red from his hat to his tail-trailing cape to the woolen stockings which cling to his calves. . . . This is the reason he is called the far darrig or red man. . . . He is known not only for his color but for his delight in mischief and mockery. He can be a gruesome practical joker. Mortal terror amuses the far darrig. With all his pranks, the far darrig desires not to do harm but to show favor. He actually is good natured and will bring luck to those whom he approves; but he cannot resist a preliminary teasing.
Both the Gaelic origins and the red costume of Far Dearg are perfect for Saint Mary’s as is the spirited and mischievous nature of the character, especially his delight in inspiring fear—the principal objective of the bagpipes. We see the Fear Dearg becoming, for alumni, a companion booster organization to the Gael Force, filling the opposite side with another sea of red-shirted rooters, as the Red Zone has begun to do at women’s games. We would love to work on chants and cheers in which we answer one another across the floor. While the majority of dues would go to pay the pipers, we would expect to have enough to host a social event to reinforce boosterism of Gael basketball, plus any number of pay-as-you-go get-togethers throughout the season.
Our tee-shirts would be red with the inscription “Fear Dearg: We Pay the Pipers” using the Gaelic script of the new logo. There would be a cartoon depiction of the namesake character.
A SOUND BUSINESS PLAN
We are confident that Fear Dearg could easily fund the creation of a bagpipe tradition and more at Saint Mary’s. We propose the formation of the club, led primarily by a volunteer corps, the undersigned as charter officers, but operated with the support and under the oversight of the Athletic Department. The volunteer leaders would be responsible for promoting and enrolling members, while the College would handle facility and other arrangements (lighting, dressing room if needed, etc.), mailings, and the receipt of dues/donations as a 501C3 organization. The amount of dues would far exceed the value of material deliverables to members (a tee-shirt, partial subsidy of one social event), hence the surplus would cover all of the fees and expenses associated with the pipers. As a club, the group could stage other spirit-reinforcing social events on a pay as you go basis.
We are researching availability and fees of musicians and are informally polling our constituency to determine interest, with already positive results. In the meantime, however, the following seems like a very conservative projection:
150 members @ $50, minus $10 cost of tee-shirt, net $40 per member
$6,000 revenue, divided by 12 home games, or $500 per game
3 musicians at $150 per game, or $450, leaving $150 for contingency/expansion
Given the strong response to booster club movements evidenced by Gael Force, The Red Zone, the VolleyGaels, and stronger-than-ever season ticket sales, the feasibility of this scenario seems more than reasonable, and the prospects are probably much better. For example, we already are in contact with one piper who is so taken by the idea that he has offered to perform for free. By comparison, the Red Zone enrolled more members at a higher cost from a smaller constituency than assumed in this model. We envision an extremely popular organization and want to use every advantage it provides for the benefit of the College and its basketball program, for example, offering discounted memberships to fans who graduate directly from the Gael Force into Fear Dearg or for first-time purchasers of season tickets. Another positive aspect is that this project could start small and grow. If we have to start with one piper at select games, we can incrementally increase the number of appearances and the number of performers. Fear Dearg’s mission will be to make Gael basketball games an unforgettable experience for friend and foe alike and establish, once and for all, that McKeon Pavilion is the toughest road venue in the WCC.
We would welcome the opportunity to meet and discuss our idea in more detail.
Respectfully submitted:
______________________________ __________________________
Tom Bruce Michael Johnson
Class of 1967 Class of 1987
Ken Dothee John Neudecker
Class of 1967 Class of 1972
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