Marching bands and college sports go hand and in hand like chocolate and peanut butter. But when a school doesn’t have a marching band and makes it to March Madness, what do you do?
Well, if you’re Fairleigh Dickinson, who made it to the second round of the 2023 men’s NCAA tournament, you borrow a pep band from someone else! Headed into the tournament, No. 16 Fairleigh Dickinson seemed unlikely to make a lot of noise. Then, the Knights upset No. 1 Purdue on Friday to become the second No. 16 team to upset the top seed in men’s NCAA tournament history.
And perhaps Fairleigh Dickinson’s biggest fans this year were Dayton’s pep band, who the Knights borrowed for the tournament since the school doesn’t have one! In the ultimate show of band solidarity, local school Dayton and its pep band has been cheering on and supporting Fairleigh Dickinson from the sidelines with the school’s fight song and more.
Tired: using your own pep band to play pregame
Wired: borrowing the @DaytonFlyers pep band to play your music pregame
FDU is working smarter, not harder.
In all seriousness, kudos @FlyerPepBand @NJSpotlightNews pic.twitter.com/Z5VQrIA8RV
— Ted Goldberg (@TedGoldbergTV) March 20, 2023
And hey, it seems as if even props have been involved as well!
Cool tidbit from the Columbus regional: Since Fairleigh Dickinson doesn't have a band, Dayton's band has stepped up. The UD band learned FDU's fight song minutes before tip Fri. Today, they're waving around plastic swords they got from Party City as they root for the Knights
— Jake Trotter (@Jake_Trotter) March 20, 2023
Oh and just for fun, Dayton’s band director turned up the style with his outfit for the team’s Sunday matchup against Florida Atlantic.
FDU band director with a jacket unlike anything I’ve ever seen pic.twitter.com/1cRDofvELu
— giselle (@GiselleMarstell) March 20, 2023
Seriously, props to Dayton’s pep band for going all out for Fairleigh Dickinson. How cool is that?
