Here at Texas Tech, we take great pride in our student organizations and the fact that everyone is welcomed to be involved in something, no matter what that something may be. Each individual college has something to offer its respective students. This is made possible by an incredible faculty and advisors that actually care about your well-being.

There's one student organization, however, that's bigger than the rest. An organization that welcomes anyone to audition for a place, no matter what college you're in or what your major is. That organization is Texas Tech's very own Goin' Band from Raiderland.

For the sake of transparency, I must admit something; I was a Music major once upon a time. In the year 2011, I was a member of the drumline in The Goin' Band from Raiderland. In 2012, I performed with the Texas Tech Symphonic Wind Ensemble and top Percussion Ensemble.

(That's me second from the left.)

Being a Music major is possibly one of the most insane things anyone can do. It's up there next to the most difficult of majors because of what is expected out of you. If you don't spend at least three hours a day honing your craft, you won't keep up. You just wont. And chances are, when rehearsal time rolls around and you don't have your material down pat, you'll be embarrassed in front of your peers. The level of competition is built to be extremely high.

My reason for switching from a Music major over to Communications constitutes a conversation for another time, but now you know.

Now, I work closely with The Goin' Band from Raiderland as a photographer, and I write this piece with a little bit of anger.

During the TCU game, I heard multiple students shouting derogatory terms at The Goin' Band; yelling obscenities and calling members names that I won't repeat here. This is unacceptable, and those students should no longer be welcomed inside The Jones.

Before you read any further, I want you to do something. I want you to imagine a packed Jones AT&T Stadium. Imagine we're playing one of our biggest conference opponents. Imagine the rowdy student section we've all come to love. Now, imagine all of those things without The Goin' Band sitting behind the South Endzone. It doesn't work, does it?

All too often in the year 2015, I hear students making fun of the band, and that's just not OK. Here's why:

They probably work harder than you:

The Goin' Band rehearses every day of the school-week. Sometimes twice a day. Rain, snow or shine, you can find them in the band parking-lot South of the Student Union from 12:00 - 12:50 every Monday, Wednesday and Friday; and at 12:20 - 1:50 every Tuesday and Thursday. If there is a home game that weekend, they rehearse in The Jones Thursday evenings as well. They do all this for one hour of credit.

They most likely have more, and closer, friends than you do:

With all that time spent out in the sun, rehearsing for dozens upon dozens of hours week after week, this is a given. Members of The Goin' Band are tight-knit. They share a bond that you have to see to believe. In an organization containing hundreds of members, everyone knows each other's names. I don't even know the names of 90 percent of my classmates.

Oh, the football team is traveling? So is The Goin' Band:

A couple of weekends ago, The Goin' Band traveled to AT&T Stadium in Arlington, TX. They will also be traveling to Austin for the UT game later in November. They make these trips to ensure that our football team has something familiar to bolster the players during away games. Despite our (embarrassing) loss to Baylor, Texas Tech fans in DFW were still in high spirits thanks to the sights and sounds of The Goin' Band.

Chances are, they have more school spirit than you do:

Ever heard the saying "you get out what you put in?" Well, not many people put more into the gameday experience than The Goin' Band. They leave everything they have in The Jones every time they step foot in the place, and they're rewarded with an overwhelming sense of accomplishment and spirit. You'll be hard-pressed to find a group of people with more pride in their school.

Respect The Goin' Band from Raiderland:

Next time you see The Goin' Band or a member of The Goin' Band, you should thank them. I can guarantee you this: if you've never been in a marching band, you have no idea the amount of work that goes into it. Absolutely none. You have zero knowledge on the subject unless you've lived it. They're in The Jones to make sure your gameday experience is as amazing as it can be, and you should respect them for that if nothing else.