A Day In The Life...

Of an member of the ISUCF"V"MB. Okay first off I will clarify what that means The ISUCF"V"MB is the Iowa State University Cyclone Football "Varsity" Marching band. Well now that that's clarified your probably asking where the junior varsity band is, well they are in Iowa City, and Lincoln. Just kidding its a joke that we have. The Cyclone Marching Band picked up the "Varsity" back when they were REALLY bad it was in the late 70's (yes I know they went to a couple of bowl games then too) I believe it was in the Wooden or Majors era and the team was getting completely demolished in the game and the band was cleaning the stadium after games to help pay for some trips. After the was over the band cleaned the stadium and then went to the locker rooms (which they had been told they could use) to shower before leaving for Kansas City to perform at a Chiefs game the next day. While they were in there the coach walked in and said "You guys get have to get out of here this is the varsity locker room." Well a smart mouthed band member (go figure!) said "We are the Varsity band!" Well it the stuck and now we are "The pride of Iowa State. The Iowa State University Cyclone Football "Varsity" Marching Band!" If you want to know more of the story and know my dad, ask him he was in the band at the time and was present when it happened.

Okay so a day in the life. I will start off with a normal school day. We go to class all day (well most of us) and then we have practice that starts right at 4:30PM and ends at 5:50PM. Five days a week we do that, doesn't sound like much time does it. It really isn't and it goes fast which is why we work very fast. We are required to have all of our charts (the things that tell us where to go on the field) and music marked prior to practice to help practice along. As a freshman you audition during your summer orientation. We start band camp a week before school starts and have pretty much 8-12 hour days of practice then. Game day's are...interesting.

For the most part on game day's we meet a few hours before kickoff for morning practice. This past weekend for instance we had an 11:00AM kick, which meant morning practice started promptly at 7:00AM at the Bergstrom Indoor Practice Facility...in full uniform. Personally this meant I had to get up at 5:45 to get dressed and meet my ride at 6:15 to get a little closer and then walk the last mile or so. At morning practice we run through music, as well as the halftime and pre-game shows several times. After that we play for the Cyclone Spirit Walk, which is when the team gets there. That is SUPPOSED to be two hours before kick off however our team likes to be early so it was approx 2.5 hours before kick off this week. After we do that we eat, do another quick warm up and pep rally before stepping off to the stadium about an hour before kick off. Our march to the stadium is probably around 3/4-1 mile. After we do the whole game thing we wait for a bit and march back to Hilton. On a normal game day this is about seven to eight hours after starting and about five hours since you last sat down. Our next home game will be a little weird though. We will meet at 11:00AM practice for an hour and half take pictures then we are off for two hours until we resume the rest of game day with the Spirit Walk.

Even though we get free trips, food, and into games being in band is no cake walk. Practices and game days are a ton of fun, but strict. If we are even five seconds late to anything you are an alternate for the next game. On game day's we are required to have our uniform completely on from when we leave our room till we get back when the game is over, no exceptions. This is not fun especially when it is hot. We are also not allowed to use phones at any time during any practice or performance. Swearing of any kind is strictly prohibited as well. Violation of any of these will result in becoming an alternate. This may sound a little too strict and obsessive but there is also a reason why we get hundreds of e-mails and comments from not only Cyclone fans but from the general public and fans of opposing teams that wish their bands conducted themselves as well as we do.

Overall band is a tough but more than worth it. The friends and relationships that you develop in such a tight group will last a lifetime and they really do become your family. I have several favorite parts of band from marching in front of a packed house at Jack Trice Stadium to yelling "GO STATE!" one of the best though is singing the Alma Mater of Iowa state "The Bells of Iowa State" after every practice and performance with my band family. Every day is truly a great day to be alive and be Cyclone! GO STATE!!! GOD BLESS!!!

A video of Pregame...not very good sorry
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1vLkssP6ePY
A video of the Drumline from our visit to Cedar Rapids last year
A little fun prior to a game in 2007. It's good but you have to see it in person to understand the power of 350 members.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CalXTr7qc7g&feature=related
A video of us at Linn-Mar last year...very rainy night so we didn't march to save the field
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TddETplq66k&feature=related
FIGHTS!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UgsdqrXNzDo&feature=related
Us singing Bells after the game this past weekend along with Drum Major Dan Heinz's Dismissal
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9xnRASaqjyg
On our march to the stadium this past weekend
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_xGKm_rdaMM&feature=related
Another video of our march to the stadium this past week...the guy with the hat on backwards at the start of the video towards the bottom...ya that's my dad with my mom next to him
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tELKnL28e4c&feature=channel
The all of those from that person are from last weekend...I am done now...for real

GO CYCLONES!!!