President Wagner Quotes in Drumline (2002)

Dr. Lee: What was that? Why do we rehearse? Why... do we rehearse? You're out there showboating for five minutes. If I wasn't able to signal a drum major to back you up, you'd still be out there beating your damn drum!

Sean: Dr. Lee, sir, maybe there's an explanation. Devon...

Dr. Lee: Do I look like I need you to explain anything right now?

Sean: No, sir.

Dr. Lee: I don't know what the beef is, but you better grill it up and eat it. Because it is my a** that is on the line.

President Wagner: Now that is a new beginning. That's exactly what I'm talking about.

[shakes Devon's hand]

President Wagner: Great job, son. You are something. You are something special.

Devon: Thank you, sir.

President Wagner: Great job, all of you. Now let's see Morris Brown top that!

[band cheers]

President Wagner: Some alumni wanna speak with you. There they are. Don't keep them waiting. New beginning! NEW BEGINNING!

Dr. Lee: Sean, I want you to polish the drums tonight. And I'd better be able to see myself in the surface.

Sean: Yes sir.

Devon: I left the polisher on the bottom shelf.

President Wagner: "The beginning is always today," one of my favorite quotes.

Dr. Lee: President Wagner, what a pleasant surprise.

President Wagner: So what exciting new beginnings can we look forward to this year?

Dr. Lee: Well, for the most part, I'll still continue with the overall direction of the program.

President Wagner: That direction is a losing one.

Dr. Lee: I don't think we can measure the amount of success in our program by the number of people shaking their butts on the stands. And no, we didn't win the B.E.T. Classic. But our first obligation is to educate and then entertain.

President Wagner: Please, not the edutainment speech, James. Save it for your students.

Dr. Lee: It's a good one. The kids in my program are learning.

President Wagner: There won't be a program if the alumni continue to lose interest. We win, they write checks. Dr. Hinderson was smart enough to know that. He played popular music.

Dr. Lee: That was James Brown and Marvin Gaye, not "The Thong Song". Alright, I'll play popular music, but not at the expense of musicianship. When you hired me you wanted me to strive for excellence. And that is exactly what I am doing.

President Wagner: I also said we needed to win.

President Wagner: Dr. Lee, do you want to explain why Devon is not on the field?

Dr. Lee: No, really.

President Wagner: Well, let me rephrase. I want my boy on the field *now*.

Dr. Lee: There are some issues preventing that.

President Wagner: No, the only issue, is for you to give me the same show like you did the last game or there won't be a program next year.