The Drum Major Flip
Chances are you have been fortunate enough to see this tradition in person. If not, get yourself to State College on a Saturday this fall already, would you? If you get a chance to record the pre game show, make sure you scout out your view before hand…
HT: Black Shoe Diaries for the video
Poor guy.
The Blue Band drum major performs his pre game flip twice before every home game. He does it for each end of Beaver Stadium, though his opening flip receives the most attention.
“The Flip” started almost by accident in 1974. After years of drum majors improvising their spontaneous routines on the field it was Jeff Robertson strayed away from the norm in 1971. Traditionally the drum major performed entertaining routines utilizing the drum major’s baton. Robertson was unsure of his baton tossing abilities so he decided to perform a back flip and the crowd loved it.
Eric Felack took over the role of drum major in the mid-seventies and di not perform the crowd-pleasing flip, much to the disappointment of the Penn State fans, who booed Felack’s performance. Ever since then drum majors have made the flip a staple in the pre game routine.
Since the days of Robertson’s spontaneous back flip, the move has changed to a forward flip with a running start. To cap off the flip was the split and salute to the fans. In the 1980’s a second flip was added to please the fans in the south end of the stadium.
In recent years a new tradition has developed as well; the exchanging of the baton between the Nittany Lion and the drum major. Before the game the two icons exchange the mace and shake hands as a symbol of school unity and pride.
Oh, and by the way, here is that previous drum major flip from a different angle…
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