Lincoln Southeast Band Representing Huskers at Holiday Bowl

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Updated: 7:41 PM Dec 29, 2009 Lincoln Southeast Band Representing Huskers at Holiday Bowl Lincoln, Neb. The Lincoln Southeast Knights Band has been called up to fill in for the Cornhusker Marching Band for the bowl game. Posted: 2:16 PM Dec 29, 2009 Reporter: David Jespersen Email Address: david.jespersen@1011now.com

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There's been a big change as far as who is on the field for the Holiday Bowl Wednesday. But don't worry, it doesn't include any players or coaches. The Lincoln Southeast Knights Band has been called up to fill in for the Cornhusker Marching Band for the bowl game.

It happens in sports all the time: the starter goes down, the back-up gets the call to be the hero - and so it is with the Holiday Bowl - only it's not players, but bands.

Mother Nature effectively took the Cornhusker Marching Band out of the game by stranding the group in Lincoln. But Lincoln Southeast's Marching Band made it and Monday they got the call from UNL Chancellor Harvey Perlman - they are in.

"I think we're nervous and excited," said Lincoln Southeast Band Director R.J. Metteer. "There's a lot of Southeast band alums in the Cornhusker Marching Band. I feel bad for those kids not getting the chance to do this but for our kids it's a once in a lifetime opportunity and we're going to do our best."

It's a big honor for the band, but also a big responsibility. They are picking up the load the Cornhusker Marching Band would have carried including pregame, postgame and half-time festivities, and then some - not to mention they have to learn the Husker routine, and fast.

"We learned the music yesterday (Monday). We're going to play some of the Husker music. We're going to play Hail Varsity, There is No Place like Nebraska and March of the Cornhusker. We're going to spend an hour today (Tuesday) learning a bit of drill of how to make an N on the field so it is exciting but also busy. It is a challenge. I think when it all shakes out we will have given up approximately four hours of our trip time to do the Husker kind of stuff, but I don't really think that's an issue. I think everyone is just excited to get to do it."

It's the Cinderella story of the bowl season and the underdogs are ready to step up. While there may never be a movie made from their experience, you can bet it will be one these band members will tell for years to come.

The Knights have a busy couple of days ahead. Tuesday they have rehearsal, a pep rally, another rehearsal for marching and then Sea World. Wednesday it's the Holiday Bowl parade and the bowl game. On Thursday, the band goes to Disneyland for a New Year's Eve parade.

Latest Comments

Posted by: Anonymous Location: Lincoln, NE on Jan 11, 2010 at 12:46 PM

I believe that this is crazy, I participated in this HS role, taking the place of UNL was amazing, I got home to Lincoln 4 hours before my flight left. I drove through a blizzard to just go to San Diego after paying a lot of money. Turn that down, for what? Boredom? I dont think so, but the opportunity was the most exitiing I have bad. Never likes football, but I actually don't mind it now. Its sad UNL didn't make it, I really wanted to meet them. I hope UNL is ready for me in two years, Im trying out for Color Guard, I'm pretty sure I have those routines pretty well memorized... THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO MADE IT POSSIBLE. We were the first high school to step in for UNL and we are proud to say, There is no place like Nebraska.

Posted by: Jeff Location: Lincoln on Jan 4, 2010 at 12:13 PM

Great job Lincoln Southeast Band Members! UNL Marching Band Members and Concerned Husker Football Fans: Quit whining about the UNL Marching Band not getting the trip already! It's over, and there are plenty of other UNL sports that want and need your support! Go Men's and Women's Husker Basketball!!!

Posted by: A.T. Location: Lincoln on Jan 1, 2010 at 07:12 PM

The reason why they had to cancel the entire trip for the Cornhusker MB was due to the fact that many had left Nebraska during the holidays, and they were unable to RETURN to Nebraska to make their flights. I had a great time playing at the Bowl, and as an LSE Marching Knight, it was an outstanding way to end my high school marching band career. We really appreciated everyone's support!

Posted by: MJ Location: Omaha on Dec 31, 2009 at 11:26 AM

What a thrill for the band, but as a former HS Marching Band member... how can a Nebraska HS band NOT know Hail Varsity and Dear Old Nebraska U? I played them from grade school band through my senior year. To the Kids... FANTASTIC JOB and thanks! To the band director... HELLO??????

Posted by: Anonymous on Dec 31, 2009 at 07:39 AM

The "Grinch That Stole Christmas" I defend the Cornhusker Marching Band directors in thier decision not to send the band because of Safety reasons.Not a easy decision on their parts to make. But I believe if Harvey Pearlman wanted the band to be there he would have made it possible.It was like from the begining they didn't want the band to go. A lot of kids in the band put a lot of work and plans on hold to make the trip. Why couldn't have the Univeristy of Nebraska put a little more effort into the decision not to go? I glad the Southeast band got to go for them. But they will never fill the shoes of the Cornhusker Marching band at any bowl game.Evry kid in the Cornhusker Marching Band has work countless hours to make the band to begin with. Besides I believe ESPN actually showed a marching band on TV during a broadcast. Whats up with that? We never get to seeany band on TV for more than 2 secondsata time.

Posted by: Jamie Location: Geneva on Dec 30, 2009 at 11:41 PM

What an awesome game, what a tragedy for the band. Harvey, please step down, look how many fans made the trip, if they could not catch friday's flight it could have been monday or whatever, the team flew on friday, the bus could not. Fly the band, if I were still a band member for NE I would quit because our chansler does not care about the band. The band has been practicing for this for weeks and really months to prepare for a bowl game. This really upsets me. The band members should have been back to Lincoln before the storm and I believe they were, it is a terrible excuse for cost cutting. If a band member was stuck, say in Geneva, I would have bet they would have paid their own flight on later flight to make it a day or two late. This makes me madder the more I think about it. FIRE Perlman

Posted by: Mari Location: Yakima, WA on Dec 30, 2009 at 06:56 PM

I'm thrilled that there's at least a BAND down there to represent our Huskers, and to play for our victories! I do feel for the UNL band members, though, that won't be able to say they played for the Huskers in the 2009 Bowl game. GBR!!!!!

Posted by: tanker on Dec 30, 2009 at 06:13 PM

sorry but i have never been impressed with Harvey Perlman. Hes basically a ceo whos getting a big paycheck for work done by the people under him. Except when he makes a bad decision and costs the university tons of money he has nobody over him to question him. They just raise the tuition-- This band thing didnt cost him any money, but it did cost him creditablity

Posted by: Anonymous on Dec 30, 2009 at 01:23 PM

I am glad the Southeast band is filling in for the Cornhusker marching band. Good Luck Knights. They sounded really good on tv. And go Huskers. Southeast marching band alumni and Southeast symphonic band and Baskeball band right now. I play the Baritone. In band and in Marching band this year.

Posted by: Marv Location: Lincoln on Dec 30, 2009 at 01:17 PM

I would like to know when Harvey Perlman and Tom Osborne ever rode on a bus for 30 hours to get to a foot5ball game?I would also suggest to Perlman and Osborne that the sellouts, which you take great pride in at Nebraska are partially because of the band.Many people but tickets to watch the band perform and football is their secondary pleasure. Mr. Perlman in the pastfew years has played a great role in getting rid of one coach . It took four ye3ars to correct the football program. This came with enormous payouts for their mistake. Flying the Nebr. band to SanDiego would have cost much less than any of these payouts.In addition Perlman was also instrumental in moving the State Fair out of Lincoln.Is it about time for the University president to evaluate Hoiw the university is being operated?If anyone believes that the band is not important let them try playing a few Sat. football games without the band.Do we need to dress the band members in short skirts in order to get recognition.

Posted by: Chad Location: Lincoln on Dec 30, 2009 at 11:57 AM

I feel really bad for all the seniors in the UNL band that won't get to make the trip. Glad we have somebody there to play us to victory though.

Posted by: Myrna Location: Lincoln on Dec 30, 2009 at 10:50 AM

This has nothing to do with UNL dropping the ball. Their band members were spread out all over the state and surrounding states for Christmas vacation. Asking those band members to travel to Lincoln AND RISK THEIR LIVES ON THE ROADS would have been irresponsible. Even if there had been a plane - how would they have gotten to it? The Southeast band members were all in town for the holiday and did not have to travel on treacherous roads. Does that make any sense now to you people who are having a mini-fit over this situation? I feel bad for the UNL band members, but I'm also glad they are all alive.

Posted by: Linda Location: Davey on Dec 30, 2009 at 10:39 AM

Former LSE Marching Band Member 1980: Go Knights! I know that you are a great Band, and that your talents are the best in High School Bands. My eyes well up with tears reading about your great opportunity to represent the State of Nebraska in the Holiday Bowl Game. I look forward to watching you this evening. I played Base Clarinet, and had a blast. I am sure you will show off Nebraska pride and glory.

Posted by: Susy Location: Nebraska on Dec 30, 2009 at 09:08 AM

I think it is really bad that the university band didn't get to go to the game......money is wasted everywhere else down there....THIS WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN A WASTE TO FLY THEM THERE......THEY ARE AN IMPORTANT PART OF THE UNIVERSITY!!!!!!!!!!!!!this is really bad judgment!!!!!! way to go unl...................NOT

Posted by: Former Southeast Band Parent Location: Lincoln, NE on Dec 30, 2009 at 06:00 AM

UNL should be ashamed of themselves for not making every effort to get the Cornhusker Marching Band to San Diego. Seems to me that they should of been flying there and not depending on a bus to get the band there in the first place. This is Nebraska and we do get snow in the winter and the interstate does close when the weather is bad. These band members work long hard hours to be in the band and look forward to bowl trips. I'm a former Southeast band parent and I know the band will do an excellent job in representing Nebraska. I just feel terrible that the Cornhusker Marching Band(Pride Of All Nebraska) can't represent their own school because the university really goofed on this one and didn't seem to try and correct it. Hopefully UNL learned something from this and next time will book a plane for the band. I'm glad that there will be a band from Nebraska to cheer the Huskers on. Just very disappointed in UNL and how they're treating the UNL band members. GO BIG RED!! GO KNIGHTS!!

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