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By Rick Moore
They're the unsung heroes of the football season, not to mention a good share of the rest of the sports calendar. Their beats fill the breaks between the plays on the field; they keep fans glued to their seats at halftime; and without them, the "Rouser" would fail to rouse.
They are, of course, the members of the University of Minnesota Marching Band, a.k.a., the "The Pride of Minnesota." Some 320 members strong, the band—under the direction of director Tim Diem — has a 118-year heritage, dating back to the founding of the University Cadet Band in 1892.
As part of their participation, all band members register for Music 3480—the official marching band class in the School of Music. And like most athletes, they devote countless hours to perfecting their craft.
Their season kicks off with a two-week Spat Camp at the end of August. The "camp" is intensive, with three-a-day practices interrupted only by meals and refreshments—all in an effort to hone their skills for football Saturdays. No one said that playing in an elite marching band is easy.
Or easy on your footwear. In years past, band members have had to practice their formations on a paved and lined "field" behind the track at the Bierman athletic complex. Matt Schuette, a junior trombone player, pointed down at his foot to illustrate the pitfalls of pounding the pavement. "I lost this part of my shoe just from spinning on the asphalt," said Schuette.
Much has been made about the Gopher football team's move back to campus to play in TCF Bank Stadium. But the gridiron Gophers aren't the only students getting a new home. The Marching Band moved into TCF Bank Stadium on July 25, becoming one of only two bands Diem knows of to be housed at the campus football stadium.
For nearly 80 years, band members have made their home at Northrop Auditorium, which meant they had to spend up to five hours each week trudging to and from that asphalt practice field. And on Saturdays, they needed nine buses to transport their show to the Metrodome (at a weekly cost of $3,000-$4,000).
"It's pretty nice that they would give us this kind of a space. It's definitely needed and definitely more convenient than at Northrop [and] the parking lot we used to practice on," Schuette said. "I can't wait till things actually start going down like rehearsals and band functions. It'll be exciting to see this place come alive."
The old digs were utilitarian at best. "If anyone came to town to perform in Northrop Auditorium, they would take the stage and we were outside, regardless of the weather," said Director of the Marching Band Tim Diem.
The Gopher football team can soon boast of having the largest locker room in the free world. (It would take running back Duane Bennett more than six seconds to sprint from one end to the other.) But the band's space at TCF Bank Stadium is none too shabby, either. Or small. The band will have access to 20,000 square feet of space, including a main rehearsal hall and two smaller rehearsal spaces; a music library, an archive room; uniform and equipment maintenance and storage rooms; and locker and shower facilities sufficient for the entire band.
"The new space really brings us into the 21st century," said Diem. "We'll have audio and video recording abilities there, so we can have nearly instantaneous review of our rehearsals and performances. That means that the band will tighten up new shows much faster than in the past."
Dozens of band members helped out with the move from Northrop to the stadium on July 25, carting instruments, equipment, and uniforms into the new space. They were uniformly giddy about their new home.
"It's pretty nice that they would give us this kind of a space. It's definitely needed and definitely more convenient than at Northrop [and] the parking lot we used to practice on," said Schuette. "I can't wait till things actually start going down like rehearsals and band functions. It'll be exciting to see this place come alive."
The band produces a new show for every football game (there will be seven home games at the new stadium this year). It also performs at the homecoming parade, one Vikings home game, and an occasional football game on the road, which hopefully will include a game on or after New Year's Day. There's also the annual Indoor Concert at Northrop, when the group showcases its entire repertoire.
On move-in day for the band at the new stadium, excitement was running particularly high for the season at hand. "I think the new space is the best facility in the Big Ten right now," said Becky Schmidt, a fifth-year senior flutist. "It's definitely going to help you see the power of the University of Minnesota Marching Band like you've never seen it before."
By Russell V. Luepker, M.D..
Worried about high cholesterol? If so, you’re not alone. Today in America, roughly 10 percent of our adult population is taking prescription medications to lower their cholesterol, and many others are taking non-prescription drugs from health food stores. With our current population totaling more than 300 million, that’s a lot of pills.
Despite its negative connotation, cholesterol is important because it serves as a regulator for a number of hormones and chemicals in the body. Without it, our bodies would not properly function. But like many things in life, too much of one thing can be harmful.
When you hear doctors talking about cholesterol, they’re typically referring to two kinds: low-density lipoproteins (LDL) and high-density lipoproteins (HDL). Indeed, these are quite different; HDL cholesterol helps excrete excess cholesterol, therefore high levels are encouraged. Too much LDL cholesterol, however, is harmful.
One of the most harmful effects of high LDL cholesterol is arthrosclerosis. When cholesterol levels are too high, build up may occur in arteries. When this happens, arteries can clog, prohibiting blood and oxygen from getting to certain organs. If an artery near the heart becomes clogged, a person is likely to suffer a heart attack; if an artery near the brain becomes clogged, he or she may suffer a stroke.
Two factors contribute to cholesterol: genetics and diet. High cholesterol can be hereditary; children of parents with high cholesterol are at a greater risk. Also, the food people eat affects their cholesterol. Saturated fats, for example, encourage the body to make cholesterol; a diet high in cholesterol found in meats, butter, cheese and egg yokes may contribute to increased LDL cholesterol.
Fortunately, there are many things people can do to help control their cholesterol. A low-fat, high-fiber diet will help lower LDL cholesterol. Fiber is beneficial because it binds cholesterol so that it can be excreted rather than absorbed by the body.
Monitoring meat consumption also may help control cholesterol. Substitute fish for poultry or red meat—fish is preferred for lowering cholesterol because it contains unsaturated fat, which tends to lower blood cholesterol.
Research has shown a correlation between high cholesterol and being overweight. Along with eating a low-fat, high-fiber diet, exercising regularly to reduce weight also will lower your cholesterol.
If diet and exercise don’t work, then high cholesterol is probably genetic. If this is the case, prescription medications may be helpful. Most statins (drugs designed to reduce cholesterol) work by blocking LDL receptors and fooling them into thinking the body has enough cholesterol in the blood. When this happens, the cells stop producing cholesterol, lowering LDL cholesterol.
While cholesterol levels in America are lower than they were 20 years ago, high cholesterol remains a problem. If you’re concerned about your cholesterol, talk with your physician; together you can work out a plan to lower your cholesterol.
Russell V. Luepker, M.D., is professor of epidemiology at the University of Minnesota School of Public Health. This column is an educational service of the University of Minnesota. Advice presented should not take the place of an examination by a health-care professional. For more health-related information, go to http://www.healthtalk.umn.edu.
By Shirley J. Anderson-Porisch
Sales are everywhere and sales are frequent. With so much influence on what’s available at such good prices, how can a consumer make the best choices that will meet their needs and wants?
Needs sustain life, and wants make life more comfortable. Not being able to separate the two when spending money may create a financial challenge. Consider product advertising – does it complicate spending and seem to make everything a need? I recently reviewed an ad for fall clothing and considered ad appeal; if pricing fit my spending plan; and if I really needed the item advertised.
I reviewed the cover – beautiful photography, “exclusive preview” terminology and promise of saving 20 percent. I opened the ad and asked myself, “had this become my need?” Inside, I found a 20 percent savings card and items priced $80-100. Prices did not appeal to me but the savings card, good for one month, kept my attention. I still had time to check my closet for similar items and save money if I decided to buy. Could I just be experiencing loss aversion?
According to research, loss aversion refers to people’s tendency to strongly prefer avoiding loss rather than acquiring a gain. Some studies suggest that losses are as much as twice as psychologically powerful as gains. Did I open the folder for fear of losing out? Considering this ad that suggested exclusive preview and saving money helps us understand the power of sales and their influence on our spending choices for needs and wants.
Clothing is a need, but in this ad the need may have been more about my not losing a 20 percent discount on clothing rather than about my need for clothes. My closet has clothes to satisfy my fall season needs. Like it or not, the new styles in that ad were definitely appealing to my wants to wear the new fall styles. Yes, I still have the savings card but before using it (and avoiding a supposed savings loss), I’ll plan my spending.
Planning starts with these questions:
Can I afford to spend the money, even using the savings card?
Is getting a bargain so important that it may put me out of control with my money?
A spending plan will put you in control of your money because it shows income and expenses – usually for one month. It also helps provide direction for using a savings card or shopping any kind of sale.
If your income and expenses are currently in balance (income equals expenses), a savings card or sale may help you save money on an intended purchase within the plan. If income and expenses are currently out of balance (expenses exceed income), a purchase with a savings card or at any sale may put expenses even more out of balance with income. Just as important, if your expenses exceed income, do your best to avoid the pressure of sales and sales people. Avoid shopping, too, if it is done out of habit or just to get the good feelings of being out.
Separate your needs and wants. Use a spending plan. Understand your shopping behaviors. Those are the strategies that will keep sale shopping to your spending gain.
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Shirley Anderson-Porisch works as a family resource management Extension educator at the University of Minnesota and is an expert in family finance. She has long been a media contributor and is an accredited financial counselor.
Find more stories at: http://www1.umn.edu/news/features/index.htm