Band, take the field

The Band. What an important role they "play" in the Game Day experience.  They do so much more than play the fight song, the National Anthem and do half-time performances.  They get the crowd involved in the game, have percussion skits during time-outs, taunt the other team when they make a bad play or don't get the first down.

We would argue that our teams have the best fight songs in the country, and many people agree with us.  For those of you that may not know the words, here they are:

              The Victors

             by Louis Elbel 1898

Hail! to the victors valiant

Hail! to the conqu'ring heroes

Hail! Hail! to Michigan

The leaders and best! 

Hail! to the victors valiant

Hail! to the conqu'ring heroes

Hail! Hail! to Michigan,

The champions of the West!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jmlhHlG0T4Y

 The Victory March

by Michael and John Shea 1920s

Cheer, cheer for old Notre Dame,

Wake up the echoes cheering her name,

Send a volley cheer on high,

Shake down the thunder from the sky.

What though the odds be great or small

Old Notre Dame will win over all,

While her loyal sons are marching

Onward to victory.

Our Pick 6 quirky things about the bands:

1. Louis Elbel was a track star for Michigan

2. 1846 - The University of Notre Dame Band is "The Oldest Band in the Land."  

3. 1972---the year women were admitted to the Michigan Marching Band

4. Knute Rockne, legendary Notre Dame football coach, played flute for ND.

5. 1932---Michigan Marching Band wrote the first "script Ohio" at The Game.

6. 1887 - first ND band performance at a football game, against Michigan.  The band hasn't missed a game since.  This was the first meeting between the teams.  Score: Michigan - 8 ND - 0.