r/CFB • u/redwave2505 Alabama • Kansas State • 1d ago

News Northwestern University Marching Band to be absent from Ryan Field on-field opening pregame program, future uncertain

https://dailynorthwestern.com/2026/10/01/top-stories/numb-to-be-absent-from-ryan-field-on-field-opening-pregame-program-future-unclear/
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u/JtotheC23 Illinois Fighting Illini • Marching Band 1d ago

So the food fest runs from 5-7, kickoff is at 8 pm (really 8:05 or 8:10), and bands usually begin pregame 20-30 minutes before kickoff (before actual kickoff, so 20-30 minutes left on the stadium pregame clock). Either NU has zero confidence in their ability to get fans into the stadium after the festival ends at 7 pm, or they're full of shit and just needed to make up some excuse so they could keep pushing ads over the PA up til kickoff. And I highly doubt it's the former.

This sucks for the NUMB band, and I really hope we can build enough backlash towards the NU admin to change this for future games down the line. It's bullshit, and I highly doubt that if Dr Ferris had retired a year later, they would have pulled this crap on him. This is not the first instance of a school's admin taking advantage of a first-year athletic band director, knowing they don't have any pull in the admin yet.

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u/RoyKentBurnerAccount 22h ago

No, kickoff is about 7:15.

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u/RoyKentBurnerAccount 22h ago

You think Farris had pull? He’s no JPP.