It was September, 1980. Grasshopper No.2 had enrolled at UW-Madison. She had also enrolled in the UW Marching band. Our family was not familiar with the band and what it entailed. I do remember No.2 committing to an exercise program during the Summer to get ready for “The Band”. She was one of the first female trombone players because girls didn’t have the stamina for rigorous regimen. Nobody tells No.2 that she couldn’t “make the band”.
The Band always plays before, during, and after the Saturday Home games. I don’t remember the exact date in September but UW’s first Home game in 1980 was against Michigan (The Darth Vader of the conference). UW hadn’t beat Michigan in 30 years (?). I had purchased football tickets for the game. I know that your Mom and I, Nana and Grandpa and I think Grasshoppers No.3 and No.4 all went down to the first game.
Game Day for us started at the South Union at around 11:00 AM. The Marching Band which of course included Grasshopper No.2, put on a Pep Rally at the South Union for about 20 minutes usually ending with the “Bud” song. It was followed by the band marching across campus to Camp Randall followed by all the fans. There was always the “Bucky Wagon” (old fire truck) and lots of brats and beer (beer has since been outlawed).
The Band always had the “run-on” before the football game.
The half-time musical performance was always the highlight for the Band.
The game was followed with the Band playing “the chicken dance”, the Bud song twice (maybe more) and of course the “Alma Mater”.
The Band ended their performance with a march out of the stadium to Bascum Hill where they played some final sentimental tunes (of course the Bud song again).
By the way, on this beautiful sunny Saturday in September 1980, Wisconsin beat Michigan. The place went nuts.
Our family has followed UW-football and the Band ever since. When Barry Alverez took over the football program in 1991 (?), we had to get season tickets just to be able to attend games. Our four season tickets were used by Nana, Grandpa, Grasshoppers (and friends), Grand-children (and friends) along with Sons-In-Law and Daughters-In-Law. It has been at least 25 years of season tickets.
This will be the first year of “no season tickets”. It has been a great ride. Nana, and Grandpa have passed on, Grand-kids are going off to college and most Grasshoppers have “a life” on busy Saturdays. Letting the tickets “go” creates a form of withdrawal but the memories will last forever.
Just because we don’t have season tickets doesn’t mean that we can’t attend a game! For me it would have be a Big 10 game against some of the old rivalries like Ohio State, Michigan, Michigan State or Penn State. We’ll see!
Love,
Dad