It's Marching Band Season!

Auburn University Marching Band 2002

It's that time of year. Schools around the nation are saying goodbye to the summer break. Students near and far are reporting to camp in preparation for the upcoming season. They head out to the field, they run drills in the extreme heat day after day, because nothing less than superior performance on the field is acceptable.

It's that time of year. It's that season. Marching Band Season.

I am a band geek. I marched in high school, and I marched with the Auburn University Marching Band. Today, I am a band dad for my son's high school marching band. There is nothing - nothing - like being out on the field week after week giving a performance in front of thousands, or tens of thousands of people (regardless if they all pay attention or not). I've marched on every SEC field (before expansion) except Arkansas, Kentucky, and South Carolina. Memories I will never forget, and a legacy I am watching grow in my own son's marching exploits.

So a couple times a week, and every Friday night, I'll be there helping to load, move, and unload equipment. I'll be on the sideline, setting up and taking down the drum major podium. I will rove the stands, passing out water, guarding seats, finding music, and stay late until everything is done and stowed. A few Saturday's out of the fall I'll resort to DVR'ing college football to accompany his band to marching competitions. I may grumble at first, but it all washes away the minute my eyes see and my feet touch the playing field. And if I get a chance this year, I'll march with the Auburn Alumni Band later this fall.

Because I am a band geek. And it is Marching Band Season once again.

On to vict'ry. Strike up the Band!