Rock Chalk Refuge

Today is the first day of college football. Across the country student athletes are chomping at the bit to start their season. Their dream of a national title and BCS bowl at stake, nerves run high for these young people as they have put in countless hours for this season to start.

For three young people in Lawrence, I imagine they have a whole different set of nerves. As new head football coach Turner Gill leads the Kansas Jayhawks on the field for the first time. These three young people will still be catching their breath from a grueling 20 minute performance. As 300+ lbs linemen rumble the ground, they will wave their arms directing the band to the tune of I’m a Jayhawk. The crowd will clap and the beads of sweat will hit their lily white uniforms. Yes it is game day and time for the band to take the field.

They say you never forget your first time. This is true. My uniform was one size too small. It was constricting and did not allow me the flexibility I needed to truly perform as the other Drum Majors have in the past. Walter and Devin were both experienced and had warned me to be ready to sweat. I did not know that every ounce of me would be drained in a 20 minute performance.

The run in from the stands starts the first test. It started with a 70yard goose step that ended with a leap and salute to the crowd. Then, a 60 yard strut that leads back through the band as we perform the KU countermarch. With mace in hand, I was now conducting from the 35 yard line. My arms were rubber. I often saw drum majors in year’s prior conduct with one hand. I now knew why. Being out of breath was not to time to be waving a 42’ mace, but still I pressed on. 2 songs later and it was back to the strut. A 40 yard jaunt into the Sunflower Formation. With thousands of eyes upon me, my pregame butterflies have now been overtaken by a mixture of adrenaline and exhaustion. The noise of the crowd cheering you on excites you, living your childhood dream motivates you. I push on to do my best.

Conducting the Star Spangled Banner never seemed difficult. When you conduct it in a traditional way with a mace you find yourself wanting it to me much shorter. The Alma Mater was no different. As the big finish comes, I lean back as far as humanly possible. The ligaments in my knees begin to remind me of my basketball injuries and I stop pushing. I knew my limit and it had been past long ago. The Rock Chalk Chant became my refuge, an oasis in the sea of exhaustion. A strut to the sideline to finish catching my breath ended and I watched the band march off the field. As Devin gave the order to the two African American drum majors that flanked him, rose to a 40 yard goose step across the field.

I rose from my knees and took off my helmet. A mix of emotions was met with cheers from the fans and high fives from fellow band members. Hours of practice have lead to this point, and it was only pregame. We had a whole other performance to do at halftime.

To the young men and women at the University of Kansas, I salute you all who blow the whistle and strike up the band. May these next few hours stain your memories as they have mine a decade later. As you call the hogs, pray for strength and stamina. Pray for precision and perfection. Always remember that it is a great day to be a Jayhawk.