I know colleges are imitating the NFL, but I am really sick of piped in music. Part of the pageantry of college football is hearing that school’s BAND. Or the actual cheers. Every break these days it’s piped in music. Going to break it was ABBA “Dancing Queen.” I like ABBA just fine. But I would rather hear the terrific BYU band. They have a great music program up there.
Oh well. I ain’t winning this battle.
I agree, I’ll always noticed the music really subdues the crowd (especially in basketball) at critical times. We have to remember certain songs are just as inspirational to the other team as it is ours.
Exactly. The reason the NFL pipes in music is because they don’t have marching bands. For that matter, they don’t have cheerleaders—just scantily clad dancers. College football is unique, but we keep trying to make it NFL-lite
Disagree. Most people younger than 45 or so want to hear it. Sorry, just the way it is. Gotta give the customers what they want.
We get hammered with it in Middle School football. I’m old. 
Well, I guess I’m just old lol.
Didn’t say everyone agrees with my taste. I said the pageantry is what makes college football unique. It’s why I prefer it.
First they need to ban cowbells!
I agree. Let the bands do the laying. That is football
I largely agree with you, but I’m on the wrong side of 50 now.
Not only do the fans under 45 want it, but the players like the piped in music.
It is what it is and it’s not going to go back to the way it was.
I agree! College football is about bands not piped in music.
It was necessary in the pandemic, but that’s done, time to get back to normal.
Those under 45 will learn to like it.
There’s a happy medium option, give them a few piped in moments.
Was in High School Band back in the day. Loved playing for the crowd. Crowd loved to listen to us. Was one of the happiest times when I was young. College needs to find a balance. Piped in music before and after the game? Sure. Before second half kick off? Fine. During the game? No. That’s what the band is for.
Jackson is right. Huge for the recruits too. And non-athlete student recruitment I might add. You don’t want to be “that school” who just has the band playing music, when all of the others UArk competes against have a DJ and are streaming in hip hop, etc. before, during and after the game. If you want a bunch of #35 recruiting classes, or worse, make the stadium an old folks home.
They used to say the same thing about ugly, non traditional uniforms. Gotta wear them. The recruits love them. And yet we couldn’t beat mid major teams wearing those crappie uniforms. Those kids in the stands with instruments are UofA students. They spend a lot of time practicing with those instruments, and they deserve to be heard. The guys on the field are football players. They are not music directors. They will like the band music, played by their fellow students just fine.
They won’t - trust me, I’m around kids of this age a lot and the DJ and piped in music is what keeps the kids engaged. I sit right behind the students in the East Outdoor Club and the kids are never more engaged than when the DJ is doing his thing.
Going back to the way it was before isn’t going to happen.
Are you talking about players or ordinary students? And are these piped music loving people long time fans who contribute financially to the program? If not, why is their bad taste being catered to?
I’m talking about both…as Hawgjabend said this isn’t an Arkansas thing. It’s happening in the same way at Alabama, Tennessee, Georgia, etc.
Because they are future long time fans who are here now — part of the 30,000 + student body — and who will give money and support in the future. Plus, better recruiting and more wins will yield much more financially than individuals like you giving here and there. Wins = money. Do what you can to cater to the dinosaurs (me included in some respects) but do everything you can to recruit, recruit, recruit and win more.
I’m calling bs on that just as I called bs on wearing goofy uniforms helps recruiting nonsense.
I’d rather pipe in banned music. Louie Louie, Lola or something similar. Where’s John Lydon when you need him?