Imagine a college football game stripped of its soul, reduced to mere athleticism without the electrifying presence of the marching band. NIU needs the marching band more than ever, and we are taking it for granted at our football games.
The football game against the University of Notre Dame, for example, has demonstrated the immense value of having the Pride of the Midwest at large games. What could have been a regular football game transformed into an extraordinary event, showcasing the spirit and pride of NIU on a national stage.
The atmosphere at Notre Dame Stadium was electrifying, with stories of the band’s performances making headlines. The spirit of NIU brought an emotional intensity and unforgettable experience for Huskies across the nation, even leaving alum head coach Thomas Hammock’s face filled with love for our university.
The Pride of the Midwest Marching Band is not just a musical ensemble; it exponentially enhances the game-day experience at Northern Illinois University. Their presence energizes the crowd, boosts team morale and creates unforgettable memories for everyone involved.
NIU should not aim to replicate the bands of the BIG10 or the SEC conferences. Instead, we should embody the heart and soul of NIU’s athletic traditions by energizing the crowd with our spirited performances.
“A lot of colleges aren’t what they are without marching band football teams, they look weird without one,” said Madelyn Montiel, a first-year music education major and tenor sax player in the marching band. “So to a football game and to a lot of colleges, the marching band is also a big selling point, at least that’s what sold me to NIU was the marching band here.”
“(The Pride of the Midwest) adds a little more pizzazz to the game than just a bunch of people hitting each other,” Montiel said. “It gives a guaranteed spirit for every football game.”
The sense of community and morale fostered by these groups is needed for football games like those played at NIU, as their performances create a unique bond among students, alumni and fans, according to The National Association for Music Education.
The study highlights that during the COVID-19 pandemic, the absence of regular performances significantly diminished feelings of togetherness and community among band members and fans.
Specifically, 76% of surveyed students reported a substantial reduction in their sense of community, and 82% missed the regular music performances the most.
It’s a combination of dynamic movement, performance and choreography that captures the very essence and soul of the university. Without it, college football dies at universities across the United States.
Carrie Szostak, a senior theater studies major and flute member of the marching band, summarizes her thoughts on the type of energy that marching band brings.
“Marching bands help create that game day atmosphere. Imagine you’re a lifelong Huskies fan for NIU, and you go up to the game and there’s the third quarter, and you don’t hear the band playing right at a first down or at a touchdown,” Szostak said. “It’s not the same kind of atmosphere. And I think marching band should be at the NFL, personally.”
Game day truly begins when the heartbeat of Huskie football echoes hours before kickoff. From the stadium parade to “The Yard” performance west of the stadium, the atmosphere craves more music from the Pride of the Midwest.
That’s why they will be there Saturday when the Huskies go against the University at Buffalo Bulls. With the Pride of the Midwest fueling the energy, this game is one of the most anticipated of the Mid-American Conference. Don’t miss out on the action, it’ll be a packed stadium – let’s show Buffalo what NIU is made of! Go Huskies!
