Past, Present and Future Bulldog Musicians Make Their “All Star” Game Appearance at Hockey

UMD Pep Band at their "All Star" women's hockey game. Photo by Heather O'Brien

This past weekend the UMD women’s hockey team faced off against the Wisconsin Badgers. Looking over in the student section one would see an ocean of maroon and gold apparel with the number “75” printed on them. The people in the student section were none other than the UMD Pep Band, but with a large addition of individuals. At the pep band All Star Game, present, past and prospective Bulldog musicians come together for one game to show their support for the Bulldog hockey team.

The 3rd annual All Star Game turned out about 90 members for the band, about double the usual at other hockey games. Starting in the 2022-2023 school year when the Athletic Bands transitioned into a student organization, the All Star Game was created as a way to give Athletic Bands alumni the chance to come back and play at a hockey game, while also being a chance for future Bulldog musicians to get a taste of being in pep band and make connections with current members.

UMD Pep Band performing for incoming patrons. Photo by Brooke Beecroft

Before the band gets to the hockey arena they meet up at UMD’s Chester Park building so that people can grab their instruments, receive music for playing and figure out carpooling. Once all these elements are set, a caravan of cars piled with students and instruments make their way down to the arena. At the arena you can feel the excitement and school spirit coursing through present, past and future Bulldogs alike.

The All Star Game is a great time to see old friends who have graduated, meet new people and hear stories of the past from alumni. Having over 90 people playing the UMD Rouser is like no other experience. As a trombone player myself, the sound of 12 other trombone players around me was incredible. Since I am a senior, this will be my last year performing with the pep band as a current member in the All Star Game, but I am already looking forward to coming back next year as an alumni and continuing to watch the Athletic Bands’ success.