By now every Oakland University student has probably seen or heard about OU’s men’s basketball team becoming Horizon League champions and representing the school all the way to the NCAA tournament.
The men’s basketball team traveled to Indiana for the Horizon League finals, but with them also came the Golden Grizzlies Athletic Band.
So, who is the Golden Grizzlies Band?
If you’ve gone to any of the men’s or women’s basketball games this season, you’ve seen the band. They’re present at every game and tend to be one of the loudest sections — instruments or not.
The Golden Grizzlies have their own sets of chants and cheers, some of which poke fun at the other teams. Some of my personal favorite cheers include those they yell during opposition free throws. Listening to the band is entertainment of its own.
The band is composed of student musicians who play for home games and occasionally follow the teams elsewhere. The band sometimes also plays for other OU events throughout the year.
Because of this, the band brings forth so much spirit and love of the game that takes the energy level of the O’rena to new heights. With their singing, playing and dancing, they’ve made a spectacle of their presence.
The band plays a valuable role in the game both for fans and players.
“I feel like it’s important for us to be there so the players know that they’re supported. I’ve talked to several players before, whether it’s in my classes or getting an autograph, and they’ve actually mentioned, ‘Hey are you in the band? We really love you guys and we appreciate you guys,’ which is nice,” Ava Hanchon — who plays the drum set for the band — said.
Those in the band also really enjoy their participation in the extracurricular.
“I know how basketball works now. Like before this, I didn’t know anything about basketball. I didn’t even watch it. Now I’m like the number one basketball fan and I actually bought ESPN Plus to watch the semi-finals,” Elise Perez — who plays flute for the band — said.
At a time like this where the men’s basketball team will be making it to the NCAA tournament, it is important for them to have a support system. The band will be traveling with the team throughout the tournament and to all of the various locations they’re scheduled to play at.
“I am super proud of the students who have been members of the ensemble this year. They were always on their A-game whether we had a full house or a sparse crowd. Truly a professional and spirited group. I couldn’t have asked for a more enjoyable first year as the director of the Golden Grizzlies Band,” Professor and Band Director David Visnaw II said.
The band is made up of standard marching band instruments including bass guitar and drum set. If you’re interested in joining the band, contact Professor Visnaw at [email protected].
For more information about the tournament, you can visit the Golden Grizzlies website which provides details and times for all athletic events.
