Kansas State University fans will have something extra to cheer about at the Wildcat football game Saturday at Bill Snyder Family Stadium.
It’s Sudler Day at the stadium with The Pride of Wildcat Land, the Kansas State University Marching Band, being honored with the 2015 Sudler Trophy from the John Philip Sousa Foundation. At a halftime ceremony, the band will receive the trophy, which is presented every two years to a college or university marching band that has demonstrated the highest of musical standards and innovative marching routines and ideas, and that has made important contributions to the advancement of the performance standards of college marching bands over a number of years.
“There are literally thousands of students, staff, directors and administrators who share in this honor,” said Frank Tracz, director of bands at Kansas State University. “This is simply recognition and validation for the ‘K-State Way,’ and I could not be any more proud of these kids and what they stand for.”
The presentation ceremony will include Louis and Virginia Sudler, whose grant to the John Philip Sousa Foundation made the trophy possible, as well as representatives from the university and the College of Arts & Sciences’ School of Music, Theatre, and Dance. It’s also Band Day and Alumni Band Day at the stadium, so joining the Kansas State University Marching Band on the field for the presentation will be 1,250 high school band members and 250 alumni members of the university’s marching band.
The Sudler Trophy was designed by artist Ed Blackwell and executed by Dieges and Clust, who also produce the Heisman Trophy. Consisting of a bronze drum major astride a football stadium and mounted on a marble base, the trophy stands 22.5 inches high.
Under direction of Tracz and Don Linn, assistant director of bands, Kansas State University’s 400-plus member marching band includes musicians, twirlers, color guard and Classy Cats dance squad. The band performs at home football games, at bowl games, pep rallies and at special events throughout the fall, including the university’s annual Homecoming Parade, Week of Welcome Pep Rally and more.
The following students are members of the 2015 Kansas State University Marching Band: Shannon Keith- trombone, Ellsworth; Anna Frizell- clarinet, Rachael Gros- clarinet, Michelle Rooney- baritone, and Addaline Soukup- color guard, Great Bend; Evan Shanelec- trumpet, Lyons; Abigail Ayre- tenor saxophone, Pawnee Rock; Sara Gift- piccolo, Stafford; and Kwinter Hartshorn- tuba/sousaphone, Timken.