New practice turf puts bounce into Michigan marching band's steps
Gone is the parking lot the Michigan marching band practiced on for years. In its place is a plush practice field at Elbel Field.
The turf is easier on knees and ankles, and morale among band members is high, director Scott Boerma said.
"This is just a dream come true," junior Kayla MacLennan said. "There definitely is a little bit of a bounce to it. ... Your feet are just spoiled. It's like walking on a cloud."
The band will practice today at 10:30 a.m. and at 7:30 p.m. and at 10 a.m. Saturday before the Western Michigan at Michigan football game.
Angela J. Cesere is a photographer for AnnArbor.com. She can be reached at angelacesere@annarbor.com. Follow AnnArbor.com photography on Facebook at AnnArbor.com Photo and on Twitter at @AnnArborPhoto.
Comments
garrisondyer
Fri, Sep 2, 2011 : 3:37 p.m.
Call me old fashioned, I guess, but I really miss seeing real grass on sports fields. And trust me, I've heard plenty of times about the benefits of artificial turf, so nobody needs to get into that here. I just miss real grass.
Lorain Steelmen
Fri, Sep 2, 2011 : 1:41 p.m.
The band used to have big ten school flags, for each team in the league, instead of the 'shoe flags' currently used. Also there were NO females allowed on the field, until 1968. No female cheerleaders, nothing. Boy, how times have changed!
smokeblwr
Fri, Sep 2, 2011 : 1:31 p.m.
HA! Good one Craig! I remember as a youth going to games and trying to throw marshmallows into the tubas. The tuba players really seemed to enjoy that as they'd yell encouragement to us whilst shaking their fist. We assumed this meant they wanted more marshmallows as they were probably hungry after having practiced on asphalt all week.
Craig Lounsbury
Fri, Sep 2, 2011 : 12:47 p.m.
At around the 2:04- 2:06 mark I believe one of the lads said this field will make for... "an easier transition in to the big house with 110,000 people screaming at you" shame on all you folks for screaming at the band. Maybe instead of yelling at the trombone player you should wander out to the concession's and get a chaser for your flask...errr......a soda pop and a hot-dog.