Alumni will join Marching Chips for game parade, performance
Greg Burghardt“The alumni band will join us for the parade Saturday, as well as for part of the half-time show at the game. We are anticipating 70 alumni participating,” said James Batcheller, Chippewas Marching Band director.
The alumni in attendance Saturday will include members from the class of 1960, when the band was formed. The Chippewa Marching Band now consists of more then 260 members.
“Homecoming is a big event for us,” Batcheller said. “Friday, we have our annual meeting for the band chapter of alumni, with a reception immediately after for all school alumni.
“This year in particular is special because it marks the 30th year that Dr. Richard Allen, a retired CMU professor, has been the voice of the band. He is the one that coined the phrase, ‘Welcome to Sunny Kelly/Shorts Stadium,’ and always says it at every game regardless of the weather.”
The band has been practicing to prepare for the 2002 Homecoming Weekend.
“We have been rehearsing and practicing for it, just as we do for all the games. It’s not particularly an extra practice, but rather a standard rehearsal,” said Trumpets Rank Captain Christin Lewis, Warren senior.
The alumni also will join the Marching Chippewas for a practice Saturday morning.
“After the parade in the morning, we end up at the alumni house. It’s really kind of neat. At the halftime show, the alumni join us for two songs,” Lewis said.
