Marching Illini cancels football-field performance
Due to a COVID-19 breakout, the band will play from the stands Saturday afternoon.
The Marching Illini perform on the steps of Foellinger Auditorium during Quad Day on Sunday. The band has announced that they will be performing on the stands of Memorial Stadium rather than on the field during the football game against Wyoming.
August 26, 2022
The Marching Illini will be performing from the stands instead of on the field during the football game against Wyoming on Saturday.
According to a statement by Barry Houser, director of the Marching Illini, this change was made because the band wasn’t able to practice with its full roster this week since “several members of the band have tested positive for COVID-19.”
“We do not want to perform the formations our fans have come to know and love if we can’t deliver them to the highest standard,” Houser said in the statement. “I know this will be disappointing to many of you, but we appreciate your understanding and concern.”
The positive cases among the Marching Illini have been “very mild or asymptomatic,” according to the statement. Houser also noted that 92% of students at the University are fully vaccinated.
“We expect to be back on the field for the next home football game against Virginia on Saturday, Sept. 10,” Houser said.
Get The Daily Illini in your inbox!
Other than the statement, the Marching Illini declined further comment.
