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It’s an exciting time to be a Vandal. For the first time ever, both the University of Idaho men’s and women’s basketball teams are going dancing. The women haven’t made the NCAA tournament in 10 years, and it’s been more than 35 years for the men.
The University of Idaho band, however, is no stranger to March Madness.
Two years ago, when Yale University’s band couldn’t make it to Spokane for the team’s March Madness games, the University of Idaho’s band stepped in — donning Yale gear and learning the fight song. Band director Spencer Martin later joked the Vandals might have played a role in Yale’s 2024 success.
“When Yale upset Auburn, I called my mother on the bus ride home, and she goes, 'Well, you know, you're the reason they won. The band's the reason they won,' and so that's always kind of been a joke,” Martin said.
Now, the band is heading back to the NCAA Tournament — this time to support its own teams.
“It’s just special. I mean, we’re Vandals first. Yeah, it was fun to play for Yale... but it’s way better to play for your people and your teams, and we have a great relationship with both teams and a great relationship with both coaches and the players,” Martin said.
This year brings a new challenge: supporting both the men’s and women’s teams after each won the Big Sky Conference Tournament.
“Instead of putting together one band, we had to put together two bands that would be traveling all over the country,” Martin said.
In another twist, both first-round games will take place in Oklahoma.
“It was also amazing to figure out we’re only going to be 30 minutes apart from each other, so that was kind of wild, too,” he said.
The band will fly charter to perform in major venues against powerhouse programs, including University of Houston and University of Oklahoma — but Martin said his group won’t be intimidated.
“Yeah, Houston’s got a great band, so do we. Oklahoma has a great band, so do we," Martin said. "Here’s the thing, too, can the bands hang? Yeah. Guess what? So, can both basketball teams as well. So, Houston and Oklahoma... they have a lot more on their hands than they realize,” Martin said.
Following a record season for the program, the Vandal women are the No. 13 seed and will play the Oklahoma Sooners in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.
Tipoff between the Vandals and Sooners is set for Friday, March 20 at 7:00 p.m. PT on ESPN.
The Idaho Vandal men will be the No. 15 seed and play No. 2 seed Houston in the first round of the men's NCAA Tournament.
Tipoff is set for Thursday, March 19 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Tipoff is set for 7:10 p.m. PT on truTV.
Continue reading...
The University of Idaho band, however, is no stranger to March Madness.
Two years ago, when Yale University’s band couldn’t make it to Spokane for the team’s March Madness games, the University of Idaho’s band stepped in — donning Yale gear and learning the fight song. Band director Spencer Martin later joked the Vandals might have played a role in Yale’s 2024 success.
“When Yale upset Auburn, I called my mother on the bus ride home, and she goes, 'Well, you know, you're the reason they won. The band's the reason they won,' and so that's always kind of been a joke,” Martin said.
Now, the band is heading back to the NCAA Tournament — this time to support its own teams.
“It’s just special. I mean, we’re Vandals first. Yeah, it was fun to play for Yale... but it’s way better to play for your people and your teams, and we have a great relationship with both teams and a great relationship with both coaches and the players,” Martin said.
This year brings a new challenge: supporting both the men’s and women’s teams after each won the Big Sky Conference Tournament.
“Instead of putting together one band, we had to put together two bands that would be traveling all over the country,” Martin said.
In another twist, both first-round games will take place in Oklahoma.
“It was also amazing to figure out we’re only going to be 30 minutes apart from each other, so that was kind of wild, too,” he said.
The band will fly charter to perform in major venues against powerhouse programs, including University of Houston and University of Oklahoma — but Martin said his group won’t be intimidated.
“Yeah, Houston’s got a great band, so do we. Oklahoma has a great band, so do we," Martin said. "Here’s the thing, too, can the bands hang? Yeah. Guess what? So, can both basketball teams as well. So, Houston and Oklahoma... they have a lot more on their hands than they realize,” Martin said.
Following a record season for the program, the Vandal women are the No. 13 seed and will play the Oklahoma Sooners in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.
Tipoff between the Vandals and Sooners is set for Friday, March 20 at 7:00 p.m. PT on ESPN.
The Idaho Vandal men will be the No. 15 seed and play No. 2 seed Houston in the first round of the men's NCAA Tournament.
Tipoff is set for Thursday, March 19 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Tipoff is set for 7:10 p.m. PT on truTV.
Continue reading...
