The Dave Matthews Band could play the University’s homecoming with help from students.
AT&T is sponsoring the band’s contest that will land the band at whichever school tallies the most votes.
As of press time Tuesday, the University was ranked No. 48 while the U.S. Military Academy claimed the top spot.
Dwight Roy, international studies freshman, is rallying students to make it happen with his Facebook.com group “Get Dave Matthews Band to Play at LSU!” of more than 2,000 members and growing.
“If the whole school wants it, we would win,” Roy said. “Even if you are kind of [apathetic] about it, just do it for the school spirit. Have a good time for homecoming with great live music and some football.”
Some students liked the idea of the concert but said they did not have time to participate in voting.
“I’m not a huge Dave Matthews fan, but there are a lot of them from Louisiana. This would be huge for LSU,” said Matthew Nomey, economics senior.
According to AT&T’s blue room Web site, students may vote up to 50 times a day until Oct. 15.
AT&T/Cingular wireless users can vote by sending text messages.
Voters can also submit online “invitations” in the form of four categories: essays, pictures, audio or video.
The blue room’s contest rules allow for the winner of the best invitation in each category to be flown to the concert, regardless if their universities win.
Roy said he would be happy if the University at least made it into the top 10.
“For LSU to get somewhere close to No. 1, even if we don’t win, would still be pretty big. There would be some sort of incentive for the band to play in the future,” Roy said.
Senior criminology student Ryan Dendinger said he will likely participate in the contest.
“I love Dave Matthews, but I probably won’t [vote] 50 times a day,” he said.
Roy said the Dave Matthews concert would make for a lively homecoming.
“For people who haven’t seen them live, they really put on a show like no other,” Roy said.
—Contact Adam Pfleider at [email protected]