Butler Band Traditions
Creating the Freshman Class Picture!
Every year since 1994, after the President's Convocation, the
freshman class is released onto the lawn in front of Clowes
hall. There they find a group of band students, who have
spent hours designing and painting some sort of shape or
word. The band members ensure that this is done quickly and
effectively. The freshmen are then photographed and their
class picture is put on display in Atherton Union. Watch the
video below for an example of 2011's freshman picture!
After Bulldog Victories
When the Butler Bulldogs pull off another great win, the band
gives them a little extra treat. After the final whistle or
buzzer, the War Song is played, followed by an arrangement of the
song "Celebrate" by Kool and the Gang. Then "One! Two! Back
to old BU!" A great finale with a lot of Butler spirit!
The tag ending is played only after a victory, and is the band's
last send off to the team and the fans. The spirit of the
Bulldogs and support from the band really makes Butler sporting
events a memorable experience.
Where my Dawgs at?!
Make sure you come early to football games! When the pre-game
clock strikes 12 minutes, the band pours onto the field from the
tunnel. The drumline cadence gets everybody into position and
then the pre-game show begins. After the National Anthem, the
next order of business is to "Go Get The Dawgs." This traditional
cadence has crowd participation! The band then welcomes the
team on the field by creating a tunnel to the bench and playing the
War Song when the cheerleaders lead the team through. This
excitement really shows what it means to be a Bulldog fan.
Alumni Band At Homecoming!
Each year band alumni are invited back to perform in the
pre-game show with the current BUMB. Their chops don't last
long, but they have a great time back out on the field and telling
their "War Stories" about how the band was so much better when THEY
were in it. The current band members will come back and say
exactly the same thing at future Homecoming performances!
The Team "Protects Our House," But Who Cleans It?
Years ago Vicki Devine, a member of the athletic facilities
staff, joined the band so she could march with her son Jim who was
the Drum Major. Vicki marched for two years with her son, and
then for many more years after that! The band noticed that
one of many of Vicki's jobs was to help in the cleaning of the
stadium after football games. The Band saw one of its own out
there working and decided to help. For more than a decade
now, after each football game the marching band cleans the
stadium. That is one tradition the band is proud of that most
folks don't even know exists!
Full Season DVD
Each year since 2004 the marching band creates a DVD of the
season's shows. This has grown from a one-camera production to a
three camera, high definition product of two interns from Butler's
Media Arts Department. This student-generated product looks
terrific and sounds great in 5.1 surround sound!
This page was created by Athletic Bands members Mike McFall,
alto sax, '07-'11 and Aaron Kelly, percussion, '09-'13.