What? Cocktail Attire Requested?

[Cat Grad]

Is it just me, or has the alumni association forgotten where we are and who we are? I got the notice, first off it's a wine tasting (again this year) and they're "asking" us to wear "Cocktail Attire!" What the heck! Why not all of our craft brewers in this state? And cocktail attire for most of us would be blue jeans like our former governor (a MSU product), plaid shirts and some type of boot. Maybe a few of our higher society type alumni would want a ditch, but I don't know any who sip wine

[rtb]

Maybe, just maybe, this event has been one of the most successful events that the athletic department has put together and there are many people out there that enjoy it! I haven't been in a few years now that I'm out of state, but I am a gigantic beer snob and while I like the idea of doing something with the many craft brewers in the state I enjoyed the wine event the last time I attended. There aren't that many times you get to get dressed up(I mean take of my ball cap) in Bozeman so it seems that many of the wives really enjoy it, tell their husbands to spend some money on Bobcat items, etc. I don't think this is really a big miss based on the number of people that attend and the numbers I've heard from Bobcat Club.

Now, again if there is a craft beer event tied to MSU Athletics, I'll probably buy a plane ticket so maybe there is room for both?

[kmax]

As a member of the state Bobcat Club board and one that has helped put on this event the last several years I'll go ahead and take a stab at answering a few of your concerns.

1. A small but very important distinction here, this is not an alumni association event. It is a Bobcat Club event.

2. rtb is correct here, this event is huge. Huge from a people attending standpoint that is (more on that distinction below). One of the primary reasons this year's event was moved to the south endzone is because it has outgrown the GranTree which is basically the largest space in town aside from the sub ballrooms. It actually outgrew the space two years ago but plans to move it to an outdoor location last year fell through due to a number of issues. While it is understood that many Bobcat supporters may not be huge wine fans, the simple fact is that many are and there are many more that come to enjoy the party and grab a cocktail that they will enjoy from the bar. Being under the endzone this year, there will be full bar services provided by Plonk just as there is at many events on campus.

3. Despite the large numbers in attendance, this is not (and is not intended to be) a huge money maker for the Bobcat Club. This party is intended to be a "thank-you" party for all of the generous members. While there is an entrance fee, it is extremely minimal for members for this type of an event. The entrance fees barely cover expenses. Some money is raised from the raffle and wall of wine sales, but when the amount of time and effort is figured in this event is not a money maker. The response from those who attend is overwhelmingly positive and the event keeps growing precisely because of that fact I believe. People enjoy the fact that they get to get out and have a bit of a party with fellow Bobcats without being hounded for money at every turn.

4. You'll notice that the invite is labeled with "Cocktail Attire Requested," not required. In the past several years I've seen everything from formal gowns and tuxes to Gold Rush T-shirts and shorts. You won't be turned away or even looked at twice if you don't dress up, but the idea is as rtb said a chance to dress up a bit and enjoy a night out which doesn't happen all to often around here. Blue jeans, boots and a button up shirt would fit in just fine, so if that's what's holding you back don't even think twice.

It's unfortunate that you have such a preconceived bias toward the event but that's your prerogative. If you can get past it I would be willing to bet you would have a pretty good time if you chose to attend.

As for a beer event, trust me it has been and continues to be looked at but there are a whole lot of things that have to happen to make something like these events come to fruition. With any luck sometime in the future rtb can spend some of his frequent flyer miles to come back to Bozeman and enjoy some brews since he can't make it for Fall Party next week.

[Cat Grad]

Okay, obviously my futile attempt at sarcasm failed miserably with you two... If I would have compared this event to the Wine and Cheese events of the late 70s at all the Hail and Farewells I was forced to endure as a young Lieutenant (are those just now getting to MSU?) and stated I always wound up in the kitchen of the host staff officer drinking beer with all the other Lieutenants instead of rubbing elbows with dignitaries such as Geoff Gamble still imagines himself to be, I would have come across as crass? Doubt it, I'm just sarcastic by nature and yes, I want to see somebody arrange a huge craft beer event or two in and around MSU, hopefully this fall.

Anyway, it will be a great time I'm sure but for the most part I'll have to skip all the Friday events this year unless my youngest son's high school team plays somebody in and around the Gallatin this year during the playoffs.

Also, for what it's worth, y'all need to stock up on beer because the rain really hurt the malting barley crop. The price of beer is going to skyrocket...

[bobcat99]

Okay, obviously my futile attempt at sarcasm failed miserably with you two... If I would have compared this event to the Wine and Cheese events of the late 70s at all the Hail and Farewells I was forced to endure as a young Lieutenant (are those just now getting to MSU?) and stated I always wound up in the kitchen of the host staff officer drinking beer with all the other Lieutenants instead of rubbing elbows with dignitaries such as Geoff Gamble still imagines himself to be, I would have come across as crass? Doubt it, I'm just sarcastic by nature and yes, I want to see somebody arrange a huge craft beer event or two in and around MSU, hopefully this fall.

Anyway, it will be a great time I'm sure but for the most part I'll have to skip all the Friday events this year unless my youngest son's high school team plays somebody in and around the Gallatin this year during the playoffs.

Also, for what it's worth, y'all need to stock up on beer because the rain really hurt the malting barley crop. The price of beer is going to skyrocket...

Except it isn't going to skyrocket. I wouldn't be too concerned if I were you.

[LongTimeCatFan]

Okay, obviously my futile attempt at sarcasm failed miserably with you two... If I would have compared this event to the Wine and Cheese events of the late 70s at all the Hail and Farewells I was forced to endure as a young Lieutenant (are those just now getting to MSU?) and stated I always wound up in the kitchen of the host staff officer drinking beer with all the other Lieutenants instead of rubbing elbows with dignitaries such as Geoff Gamble still imagines himself to be, I would have come across as crass? Doubt it, I'm just sarcastic by nature and yes, I want to see somebody arrange a huge craft beer event or two in and around MSU, hopefully this fall.

Anyway, it will be a great time I'm sure but for the most part I'll have to skip all the Friday events this year unless my youngest son's high school team plays somebody in and around the Gallatin this year during the playoffs.

Also, for what it's worth, y'all need to stock up on beer because the rain really hurt the malting barley crop. The price of beer is going to skyrocket...

Except it isn't going to skyrocket. I wouldn't be too concerned if I were you.

Nah, there's always Canadian barley