Feb. 24, 2005
By Dan Tomlin
Sports Editor

Ah, here we are at another CABtastic decision. The sometimes annual (three years ago they decided they just wouldn’t have one) spring concert.

Two years ago was Ben Folds, last year was O.A.R, and this year...... Emerson Drive.
That’s right Emerson Drive. Although I’m sure you all knew that, since the lunch tables have been adorned with bags and enough square pieces of paper to make me stop wondering where all the shade went.

As to the decision of Emerson Drive, it’s good to see that CAB didn’t have the wherewithal to poll the student body on what genre of music they would like at their spring concert. Rather it was just decided by CAB for us.

Refer to Anthony Loconsole’s article and you will see the glaring problems.

“This year we decided to change it up a bit,” SAU CAB special events chair Lauren Parchem said. “In the past we’ve brought mainly alternative rock groups, and we figured why not bring a country band to SAU and see how it’s received.”

The first thing that comes to mind is “why did you change things up?”

The reason that we’ve had alternative rock bands is because in the past students have been asked who they want to come to campus, and if CAB was unable to get them they would get someone similar.

I’ve got an answer for their question “why not bring a country band?” Because you’re not catering to the majority of the students. What service are you doing the students when you don’t survey them to see whether or not they want a country band?

The more you start reading and thinking about it the more you start to realize, it’s all about money. In the last few years CAB has lost money on the spring concert.

WLLR is the biggest radio station in the Quad Cities and can be heard up to 100 miles away. Teaming up with them, CAB is virtually guaranteed to turn a profit.

So what?

Why is St. Ambrose in the business of putting on a large concert? Why are we worried about turning a profit? There are funds allocated to student entertainment.

The outcry by the student body is starting to be heard, and it’s not a whisper, it’s a resounding scream that is fed up with the inconsistency of how CAB is run.

So for those of you who plan on attending the spring concert, enjoy yourselves.

For those of you who are disappointed that CAB decided that your input didn’t matter, let them know about it.

E-mail your comments, send a letter, give a phone call. Let CAB know how you feel and give a constructive idea on how to plan for next year. Unfortunately, since it seems as if they don’t listen to any of us outside the club, you’re going to have to join CAB to make any changes.

Good luck. This cliche is almost harder to stay in than get into due to the leadership.
It should be what’s best for the students, not what’s best for a select group of individuals.

Emerson Drive is a fine band, and CAB will probably make a few extra dollars, but at what cost? Losing touch with the student body.

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