Bucknell University Athletics
Penn State Blue Band to Perform at Saturday's Bucknell-Columbia Game
9/21/2004 8:00:00 AM | Football
Sept. 21, 2004
LEWISBURG, Pa. - The famed Penn State Blue Band will make a special appearance at Christy Mathewson-Memorial Stadium this Saturday, performing before, during and after Bucknell's football game against Columbia. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.
Backed by more than a century of tradition, the Blue Band is one of the nation's premier collegiate marching bands. After performing for pregame tailgaters, the band will march onto the field for a routine prior to kickoff. It will perform on the field again at halftime and immediately following the game, as well as from the stands during the contest.
"We are thrilled to have the Penn State Blue Band join us at Christy Mathewson-Memorial Stadium," said Todd Newcomb, associate director of athletics for external relations and the Bison Club. "Last week at the Cornell game we experienced a tremendous amount of fan spirit, particularly from the students, and the presence of the Blue Band will only enliven the atmosphere even further."
According to the group's Web site, the current Marching Blue Band numbers 281 members, including 233 instrumentalists, 32 silks, 14 Touch of Blue (majorettes), a featured twirler, and a drum major. Members come from virtually all curricula and colleges represented at the University Park campus of the Pennsylvania State University. The band is directed by Dr. Richard Bundy.
The Blue Band has appeared at 31 bowl games including multiple appearances in the Orange, Cotton, Sugar, Fiesta and Citrus Bowls. The band has also performed at the Outback, Blockbuster, Holiday and Rose Bowls and for the Buffalo Bills on Monday Night Football. In addition to marching in several Orange Bowl, Citrus Bowl and Fiesta Bowl parades, the Blue Band marched in the Bicentennial Constitution Celebration Parade held in Philadelphia in 1987 and made its first appearance on January 2, 1995, in the Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena.
Also, Saturday is Junior Bison Club Night at Christy Mathewson-Memorial Stadium, with a special pregame party planned exclusively for Junior Bison Club members. For more information on the Junior Bison Club, call Ryan Burd at (570) 577-3550.
It is also Take a Kid to the Game night, where youths aged 14 and under are admitted free with a paying adult.
Bucknell is 1-1 on the season after last week's 15-9 victory over Cornell. Columbia fell 17-14 to Fordham in its season opener. The Bison are 10-3-2 all-time against the Lions, including a 4-0 mark at home.
