Dear Mr. Travis,

As I was scrolling through my Facebook timeline after my classes today, I came across a link. It was an article about the length of October 8's football game between the University of Tennessee and Texas A&M University. Included was a clip from your radio show. In this clip you said you made Twitter suggestions on how to lower the time of college football games. One of your suggestions was eliminating the band's half time show. Now, I don't know too terribly much about football. Up until this year, I've been to almost every single UT home game for the last 4 or 5 years. In those few years, I've managed to learn about the basics of football. I've enjoyed going to numerous Vol walks, watched the salute to the Hill many times, and I've watched every single half time show.

Mr. Travis, I don't know a lot about football. One thing I do know, is that you are wrong.

In this clip you attacked the band for their half time performance. The band works extremely hard for their half time show. They spend countless hours fine tuning every single note they play and step they take. They spent 12 hour days in the simmering summer heat to learn their steps. They spend most days after classes rehearsing until every note is played correctly. The band works for their spot during the half time show. They don't just show up and hope it looks okay. They make sure that each show will be the best show the audience has ever seen.

I understand you don't suggest eliminating the band completely, just eliminating the half time show. The band's half time show takes approximately 8-10 minutes. Over the span of a 60 minute game, that's not a great deal of time. Those few minutes are not going to elongate the game. If anything, the unnecessary amount of commercial breaks during the game is what elongates it. Why are you not calling for an end to commercials?

Another suggestion was for the band to perform before or after the game. It may seem like a well thought of suggestion, but look at it this way: before the game, people are constantly up and down allowing patrons to pass by so they the get to their seat. Of course this happens at half time as well, but I personally have seen it happen more before the game. Additionally, after the game, everyone is usually exhausted and in some cases, furious, and are ready to leave. When it's 11 pm and you have kids at home, are you going to stick around and watch the band? Probably not. If your team has just lost a big rivalry, chances are you're getting the heck outta dodge. Moving the band's performance to after the game causes many people to miss one of the greatest parts about college football. Additionally, guests are occasionally a part of the half time show. This year, Emily Ann Robertson, last season's runner up of The Voice performed during one of UT's half time show. How would many people get to see this talented star without the half time show?

One of my best friends is in the Pride of the Southland marching band. Her father was a member during his time at UT. It has been her lifelong dream of following in his footsteps. She has been extremely dedicated over the past several years to practicing for the chance to hopefully become a member of the Pride. She spent 6 years in our high school's marching band (2 of those years she was in middle school!). The weeks leading up to her audition she took every moment to practice. The day she found out she was in the band was one of the best days of her life. She had spent so many years for this moment. She is extremely grateful and proud to be a member of the Pride. She always tells us how much of a dream come true it is. She also has told my friends and I how football players and coaches will come up to them, thanking them for what they do.

Mr. Travis, I know many people don't come to college football games for the band. Many could care less; but, there are many people who enjoy and appreciate when the band performs at half time. Eliminating the half time show would upset many people. It would be a loss of one of the greatest shows one could ever see.