So I know that when people see marching bands, they think "well, they're just a bunch of geeks running around on the field during half time." I am here to tell you that that is not true. I have been doing band now for about 7 years and in those 7 years I have made some of the best friends and the best memories that I could have ever hoped to make! In high school, I got my first taste of marching band and instantly fell in love with it! I never missed a game and I was there for every quarter. It also lead me to the college that I now attend where I am a Marching Southerner at Jacksonville State University. Anyone that is reading this and hasn't heard them; you need to see a show! The best thing about the band is that even when your team is down, they will still be your best supporters. I have been in games where my team was losing by 4 touchdowns, but we were still the loudest section in the crowd! So basically I do not believe that band programs are supported as they should be at most places, but some schools do have lots of support. Jacksonville State has fans that LOVE the band and will even stay after games to watch the band to do post game performances. Schools that have good relationships with their band programs also tend to do better in football. For instance, The Marching Southerners have a very close relationship with our athletic department and our team is #2 in the FCS rankings. Ohio State has a very close relationship with their staff and they have always had one of the best football teams in the country. In conclusion, I believe that band students and programs should be shown more love from their schools and their crowds because they are the most loyal fans and they can leave a lasting impression on their audiences.