By: So......Part 4

So......Part 4
Fri, 24 Apr 2015 17:37:19 +0000

Dearest TBDBITL Parent,

It is very unfortunate that folks with OSU ties have been excluded, really it is because all 3 of them would be great leaders for the program (will stand behind those words). I am completely against folks here that are crying foul because of this very situation because people act as though “exclusion from jobs, organizations, parties, etc” have never happened in life (but that leads to another topic, for another time). The student that left the search committee made up her mind on her decision and I respect that however, in how many national searches for prestigious positions in colleges and universities have allowed students to be such a huge part? That’s on the committee for leading her astray in that thinking and I wish her well in her endeavors

I have had organizations that I am affiliated with that have been scrutinized and have had many personal situations where I have been scrutinized (some caused by myself, some cause by others, for a multitude of reasons) but I have sense enough to know where I land in bigger picture of the situation. This one in particular, the university feels as though the want to stay complete start over with a brand new person away from this university. That’s their process, regardless of how people feel about it being wrong or right, everyone has to honor it. As backwards as it may seem, that is what is in place. Besides, Hoch was the #2 guy in charge when this situation hit the fan and yet kept his job. He should thank his lucky stars that he did not get canned (thrown under the bus, used as a scapegoat, blah, blah) and be grateful for the chance to still be able to work with this program and provide for his family.

As for your personal ties, the organization’s reputation took a huge hit this summer and I know how you feel (have two children, one still in the group) but from what I have seen there are still members who have left the band that are still getting great jobs in their field of choice. My child is not going to jail, will be looked at as a felon, or anything else because of what has happened. If it does, then maybe whatever place, job, location my child wants to go is not meant for him. If anything, my child is still thought of as a superstar because of their involvement in this program from their hometown band/school. There are still going to be over 400 students to show up to auditions in August, there will still be a record number of bands to show up at their Buckeye Band Invitational, they will still be the face of college marching band and ambassadors for the OSU community (like they have been in the past). It may come off as me blowing it off but my child was not physically harmed because Jon was fired or because the upper administration decided to exclude OSU folks from their search, therefore I am not up in arms. My child will still have a great career (much better than mine) and hopefully will gain a great perspective on life while this situation continues.

That’s why I am fired up about this, I have personal, deep ties to this situation (and the university AND THE ORGANIZATION) like many other people but this has been long out of our hands. Let the university works the process that they have laid out (even though it has taken forever) and leave it alone.

I do appreciate how you called out my family even though I never mentioned anything about yours. I just wanted to debate your thinking, which goes personally towards you (not your family).

Go Bucks!

With much love, grace and affection,
So……Part 4