Mob Rules

Photo courtesy of MOB Facebook page

As a member of Rice’s Marching Owl Band, I have often thought that the MOB does not receive the amount of attention it deserves. Why are our musical accomplishments, hilarious shows and devastating fashion sense ignored by football fans? Fortunately (or unfortunately, depending upon your viewpoint), this season has already given current MOBsters an infamous story. I was initially drawn to the MOB by the band’s refusal to take itself seriously, a welcome change from the dreariness of high school orchestra.

In the last three years, I have played songs that should never come within 10 feet of a violin, and I have heard more puns, on and off the field, than I ever needed to hear. The MOB has provided me with a greater sense of community and friendship than I have found anywhere else on campus.

In the last three years, I have played songs that should never come within 10 feet of a violin, and I have heard more puns, on and off the field, than I ever needed to hear. The MOB has provided me with a greater sense of community and friendship than I have found anywhere else on campus.

That sense of community has become obvious in the preparation for and aftermath of the Baylor halftime show. I know that the show has been discussed thoroughly, but I will reiterate this: Our show did not intend to make light of sexual assault, which we know is a serious issue and would never mock. The script criticized Baylor president Kenneth Starr and football coach Art Briles for covering up the scandal in order to uphold the reputation of their football team. The MOB’s writers and members carefully crafted this show to balance humor with commentary on the sensitive topic of sexual assault and the reactions to it.

Of course, the MOB has had its controversies in the past (We now are extremely careful with any references to Reveille; will A&M ever forgive and forget?) But when an article on the MOB appears in national newspapers, something important has happened. Like much of the MOB, I do not regret this halftime show, because talking about the proper way a university administration should address sexual assault cases, and holding them accountable for mishandling the cases, is important. Taking into account all the criticism and all the applause, I believe that the Mob did something good. Now we just need to think of a way to trump even that show. Here, Reveille, come …

—Taegan Howells ’18

Howells is an intern at Rice Magazine.