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Webmaster's notes on this article:
We must be pretty significant to get a feature article when we're not even
at the game... Mr. Rohde seems mostly well-informed, but he is mistaken in one
respect: our show scripts are not pre-approved by Student Affairs.
Two MOB shows are referred to: OU '79 and Michigan '00. Both are
accessible from the MOB show archives page.
THE DAILY OKLAHOMAN
Saturday, September 23, 2000
John Rohde
Rice band marches to a different tune
NORMAN -- The year was 1979. Joe Castiglione was 21 years old and just
graduated from the University of Maryland.
He excitedly entered the business world as athletic promotions director at
Rice.
That's when a man named Castiglione first saw the MOB.
This MOB did what it wanted, how it wanted, when it wanted. And got
away with it.
Why?
"That's a great question. No one ever gave us an answer,"
Castiglione said, shaking his head. "I just couldn't believe what I
was seeing. I can't find the proper adjective."
Castiglione stayed at Rice nearly two years. "A great
school," he said.
Then it was off to Georgetown for a year and to Missouri for 18 before
arriving at Oklahoma 2 1/2 years ago.
While he was at Rice, Castiglione's future employer paid a visit to play some
football.
The MOB laid in wait for the Sooners. At halftime, it struck with its
own skewed rendition of "Oklahoma!"
The Marching Owl Band (MOB) is a marching band that does not march.
Stanford has one. So does Virginia. But there's no mistaking the
MOB.
On Sept. 29, 1979, the MOB took the field in an "OK" formation
while playing Rodgers and Hammerstein's familiar theme song.
Then came a scene with Curly, Larry and Moe; a wedding bells formation,
another scene; a violin; another scene; a wagon; another scene; then the band
left the field playing "California, Here I Come!"
If it all seems a bit discombobulated, it was. That's the MOB.
The third-ranked Sooners somehow overcame the confusion to squeak out a 63-21
victory.
That was the last time OU and Rice met on a football field, until
today.
Today's point spread might not change much from 1979, but the MOB has.
School officials insist the band has toned down its act.
The MOB is a free-spirited form of self-expression. It has its own
website.
The band considers its work thought-provoking. Their halftime scripts
are pre-approved by Student Affairs.
The MOB makes you think. It is in the know and in the now.
If the band rekindled its 1979 halftime script today against OU, it might
have left the field playing "Californication" rather than
"California, Here I Come!"
Critics, however, claim the group still obliterates the line of poor taste.
The MOB preys on those who are wound a bit too tight, which has made Texas
A&M its favorite target.
There was a 1973 incident when the MOB paid tribute to Revielle, the Aggies'
female collie mascot, by forming a fire hydrant and playing, "Where, Oh
Where Has My Little Dog Gone?"
Angry Aggies surrounded the MOB after the game. Food service trucks
eventually were called in to rescue the band.
Through the years, Rice has often had trouble filling its 70,000-seat
stadium. The MOB has been somewhat of a drawing card, however.
Castiglione recalled several fans came just to watch the band.
"After halftime, the fans left," Castiglione said. "At
least we had them for a half."
When Tulsa played Rice last week, the band's theme was "What Rhymes with
Duck?"
The MOB formed a dollar sign and came up with buck; formed a "CK"
and came up with cluck; formed a vacuum and came up with suck; formed the female
symbol and came up with luck; then left the field running amok.
See, harmless stuff.
Some opposing schools have refused to allow a visiting MOB to perform at
halftime.
Two weeks ago, however, the MOB played before a crowd of 109,778 at Michigan
stadium.
One person wrote the band's website claiming, "There is no doubt in my
mind that the University of Michigan fans will be talking about the MOB for the
next 10 years."
Castiglione didn't know it at the time, but his experience with the MOB would
help prep him for dealing with The Antlers at Missouri.
The MOB will not perform on Owen field today. Asked if he would have
allowed the band to perform had it requested, Castiglione chuckled said
"Let's just say I would be a bit cautious."
John Rohde can be reached by e-mail at jrohde@oklahoman.com.
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The Marching Owl Band