WKU News

The Hilltoppers take on Liberty University this Saturday in  the first home game of the season.

It’s music to the ears of one group that’s especially excited to attend, as WKU’s Amy Bingham explains in this week’s View from the Hill.

It’s finally time for football again here at Houchens Industries-L.T. Smith Stadium and no one is more excited than the Big Red Marching Band.

Game day is going to look a LOT different…

But THIS sound will be the same…

“We’re gonna do halftime from the stands and we’ll do pregame from the stands so everything we normally do. We just won’t be on the field when we do it.”

The Big Red Marching Band, made up of 248 students, is willing to do whatever it takes to have a presence at home football games.

 “We’re taking lots of safety precautions. The band’s gonna look a little bit different.  We have three sections this season that we’re gonna be sitting in the stands, 125, 126 and 127.”

It is anything but normal, but band members say it’s worth it just to be there.

“Even with the masks and restrictions and everything I still enjoy being in the band. Even if it’s a little piece of cloth on my face I still love being out there on the field and playing. It doesn’t take the joy away from me.”

“If anything ever goes wrong and we’re not able to continue doing this that would be a really big loss for us to not be able to continue through this season.”

The band is still rehearsing this fall’s halftime show on the field, even though it will be presented in a different manner.

 “We’re working on a show just like we normally would but this year it’s going to be videoed sometime close to homecoming and hopefully that video will be played at one of the halftimes during football.”

McCurry says all they really want to do is perform and they finally get their chance, this weekend.

“We’re gonna do everything we can in the stands to make it an exciting experience for the fans and for the students that are in the band.”

Less than 5,000 fans total will be allowed in the stadium on Saturday. A minimum of 1,000 seats will be held for WKU students.  Kickoff against Liberty University is at 11 a.m. For gameday information, visit www.wkusports.com/footballgamedayinfo