Fresh designs
UD Marching Band sports new uniforms this season
2:45 p.m., Aug. 30, 2013--In keeping with the kick-off of a new era of football at Delaware Stadium, the University of Delaware Marching Band is sporting brand new uniforms.
Described as “edgy” by Heidi Sarver, UD Marching Band director and associate professor of music, the newly arrived ensembles display the same color spectrum as previous uniforms but the former curved lines are now straight with hard angles.
Campus Stories
From graduates, faculty
Doctoral hooding
Although the design is fresh, Sarver noted that the uniforms also connect to the past via their capes and sashes, with the familiar dark navy background providing a neutral color from which the UD royal blue and yellow can pop.
“Additions that speak to current uniform trends are captured by the uniform concept seen in the sash now showing up on the hat,” Sarver said. “The small personal touches are there as well, with ‘Hens’ appearing on the back brim of each hat and in script on one of the sleeves.
The trademark interlocking “UD” on the left front chest area assures Blue Hen fans that while the new uniforms are contemporary, they keep the collegiate look that the marching band is known for, Sarver said.
The final design for the uniforms made by DeMoulin Bros. and Co. of Greenville, Ill., was one to which all members of the marching band contributed, Sarver said.
“The challenge for most of us, including myself, was to let go of the past uniform design and embrace the new one,” she said. “This was a challenge because we all truly loved the previous design but once we saw members wearing the sample uniform, it was a striking moment of ‘Wow! These look great!’”
With 336 members, the marching band represents one of the three largest in UD history, said Sarver, now in her 19th season as band director.
The main show this season features music from Les Miserables, while popular post-game traditions, like the playing of the Lennon-McCartney classic In My Life, continue.
The 2013 season also introduces new traditions, with the Fightin’ Blue Hens football team being accompanied by the marching band from Delaware Field House along Stadium Drive, something that will take place about two and one-half hours before each game.
Fans are invited to remain after the game to join the football team and the band for another new tradition in the southwest corner of Tubby Raymond Field.
“Singing and playing the alma mater together at the conclusion of every game, win or lose, is something that will unite not only the students with each other, but also the students with the fans,” Sarver said. “Creating new traditions or rituals to enhance those we already have is one of the things I am very excited about this season. The strong vision of unity by Eric Ziady, our new director of athletics and recreation services, is a welcome addition.”
Fans can get an opportunity to see the new uniforms first-hand at home games this month scheduled Saturday, Sept. 7, against Delaware State University; Saturday, Sept. 21, against Wagner University; and Saturday Sept. 28, against Colonial Athletic Association rival James Madison University.
Article by Jerry Rhodes
Photos by Mark Campbell