Fresno State Athletics
Traditions Grow Stronger for the Bulldog Marching Band
10/27/2008 12:00:00 AM | General
Oct. 27, 2008
FRESNO, Calif. - The Bulldog marching band enters its 15th year since the re-birth in 1993. The marching band took a year hiatus in 1992 due to not having time to hire a new director.
In the summer of '93, Fresno State President Dr. John Welty and the athletic department felt the need to revive the Bulldog Marching band. The first step was hiring a new band director. The future of the Fresno State marching band was laid in the hands of Gary Gilroy.
"The support of Dr. John Welty is unparallel," said Director of Bands Gary Gilroy. "Dr. Larry Sutherland also had a tremendous role in supporting the marching band."
In order to bring the marching band back to life it was going to take financial support, staffing, and scholarships, all of which became priorities of Dr. Welty and Gilroy. When the marching band started up in '93 it consisted of 125 members. The next few years the number of members fluctuated. Today the marching band is 270 members strong.
"We set on a course to establish a marching band which would be known for its quality but which would also contribute to attracting students in music who would strengthen other areas of the music program," said Welty.
During the year the band had off, a pep band emerged with 80 members, called the Bulldog Beat. The beat, as it is known, plays at volleyball matches and basketball games. The pep band helps recruit instrumentalists for the marching band.
The Bulldog Beat is broken down into two bands, uptown and downtown, named for the location where the band played. The two bands began touring local high schools, which helped recruit.
"Since 2006, the two Bulldog Beats split the basketball schedule, so both bands will play for men's and women's games. In addition to the Bulldog Beats, the basketball pep band is made up of other marching band members who wish to participate," said Band Director Tim Anderson.
During the 15th anniversary season alumni band members will come back and play with current players. Alumni of the marching band returned and made an appearance with the current marching band at the homecoming football game against Idaho. Also, this season the band will feature music from 1993.
The Fresno State band is one of the largest in the state of California and the largest in the Western Athletics Conference. Tim Anderson recently took over the role of marching band director. Entering his third year of conducting at Fresno State he is keeping Gilroy's traditions alive.
The band has small concerts and sings the alma mater after each football game. Special songs are played for various coaches and athletes. Some examples include playing "The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly," for Head Football Coach Pat Hill or "Cleveland Rocks," for Head Basketball Coach Steve Cleveland. It has also been a tradition for the marching band to travel to at least one away game and participate in bowl games, WAC tournaments, and NCAA tournaments.
"We were one of few bands at the WAC tournaments and we had our entire band at the Humanitarian Bowl game," said Anderson. "It makes a difference when we are there and it helps pump up the team."
The support from coaches and student-athletes has been great over the years. Football coach John Baxter has given input to the band for years and attended the banquet last year.
"We let Clifford Smith conduct a song after the game. It is his way of thanking us for playing the Batman theme song," said Anderson.
Bulldog fans are welcome to join the marching band during warm-ups two hours prior to kick-off at the Music building. Once warm-up is completed the Bulldog marching band parades across campus to Bulldog Stadium.
Show your Bulldog pride by continuing to support the Bulldog Marching Band and make the next 15 years even more memorable.
"Join the State, Fresno State!" - The `Dogs celebrate Senior Day and the last regular season home match of the season on Sunday, November 2 as they host Nevada at 2 p.m. There will be an autograph session with the team following the match. To purchase tickets, click on the tickets icon at the top of this page, call the Bulldog Ticket Office at (559) 278-DOGS, or stop by the Bulldog Ticket Office.
