For many University of Iowa alumni, the memories made on campus are cherished for a lifetime. The roar of the crowd at Kinnick, the camaraderie of student groups, and the distinct feeling of Hawkeye pride shape who we become. For Iowa Club of Michigan member Ellen Kelly Mange (Class of 1981), these experiences were amplified by the rhythm of a drum cadence and the thrill of marching onto the field as a four-year member of the Hawkeye Marching Band.
Ellen’s journey into one of the “best marching bands in the land” began somewhat unconventionally. A flute performance major from Cedar Falls, she assumed joining the band would be a natural next step. However, she missed the memo on “Hell Week” and auditions, showing up one day as a walk-on after practices had already begun. The rest, as she says, is a bit foggy, but she successfully auditioned and secured her spot in the flute section for all four years of college.
For Ellen, every home game was a memorable event. “There was something about hearing the drum cadence that would kick off the band,” she recalls. The pre-show routine, marching from the Field House into the stadium, always gave her chills and a deep sense of pride. It wasn’t just about the performance; it was about the shared traditions. A favorite prank involved a group of band members running to the visitors’ side between quarters to “steal” a cheerleader, bringing her back to the Hawkeye side to lead an Iowa cheer. The opposing cheerleaders were always good sports, adding to the fun.
The band wasn’t just a gameday activity; it was a community. Ellen recalls traveling to one away game each year, with bus rides filled with songs and laughter. One particularly frigid game against Minnesota around Thanksgiving stands out, with temperatures well below freezing. The season always concluded with a celebratory banquet at the Ox Yoke Inn in the Amana Colonies, a cherished tradition.
In her final year, Ellen took on the role of section leader for the piccolos. Her responsibilities—ensuring her rank knew the drills, offering help, and communicating clearly—mirrored the skills she would later use in her 30-year career as a special education teacher. “I look at my time as a section leader as really like the role of a teacher,” she reflects, “being organized, communicating clearly, solving problems, and making sure everyone felt heard and seen.” Even in retirement, she continues to use these skills, working part-time with families of young children with developmental delays.
When asked what advice she would give to current students, Ellen’s answer is simple: “Get involved!” Whether it’s joining a club, playing an intramural sport, or working a part-time job at the student union, she emphasizes the importance of connection. “Some of my closest friends yet today are those I did meet either in marching band or an on-campus club,” she says.
Looking back, Ellen describes her time in the Hawkeye Marching Band as “amazing, transformative, blessed.” It was an experience that made her feel that her small contribution mattered within a much larger whole. That feeling of belonging is something that stays with you for life.
Today, watching the new tradition of the band and stadium waving to the children in the Stead Family Children’s Hospital windows solidifies for Ellen what a special place the University of Iowa is. It’s a pride that travels, even all the way to Michigan, connecting Hawkeyes wherever they go.