From BOWLING GREEN STATE UNIVERSITY
Bowling Green State University’s Falcon Marching Band has surpassed $1 million in fundraising ahead of its historic performance as the largest band ever to march in the Rose Parade.
Hundreds of supporters donated to help ensure all 600 members of the Falcon Marching Band can travel to Pasadena, California. The seven-figure fundraising milestone will help reduce travel costs for every student, provide additional financial assistance to those in need, and cover students’ remaining travel payments.
“The response from our alumni and friends has been remarkable, with hundreds of supporters coming together to help make this historic opportunity possible,” said Tina Hennessey, vice president for University Advancement and president and CEO of the BGSU Foundation. “Surpassing $1 million is a testament to the pride our BGSU community has in the Falcon Marching Band and its commitment to supporting our students.”
“We are incredibly grateful for the generous support of so many alumni and friends, who have chosen to give all of our Falcon Marching Band members the chance to experience this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” said Jon Waters, director of marching and athletic bands. “The students have been working really hard to prepare for the Rose Parade performance, and we cannot wait to represent Bowling Green State University on the national stage.”
For Jen Tull, a fourth-year band member and section leader, the opportunity is particularly meaningful. The Falcon Marching Band has been a transformative part of her college experience, and performing at the Rose Parade will be a fitting conclusion to her marching band career.
“It’s hard to put into words how much I’ve grown and changed simply from being a member of the Falcon Marching Band,” said Tull, who marched with the band in the St. Patrick’s Day parade in Dublin, Ireland, in 2025. “Marching in the Rose Parade is something I never could have imagined I would get the chance to do. I’m proud to be able to represent this organization and Bowling Green State University.”
The Falcon Marching Band’s performance on Jan. 1 will mark a historic milestone. According to Terry Madigan, president of the Tournament of Roses, the 600-member Falcon Marching Band will be the largest band ever to perform in the parade’s 138-year history.
Madigan said that while the band’s historic size was not a factor during the Rose Parade selection process, its culture, musicianship, and technical expertise were key considerations.
“The Falcon Marching Band has a terrific culture,” Madigan said during his visit to BGSU for homecoming. “It’s not only the largest college marching band in the country, but it’s really one of the most outstanding marching bands in the country. There is no bigger stage than the Rose Parade. This will be a life-changing moment for these students.”
The band learned in August 2025 that it had been selected for the Rose Parade following a competitive process. The announcement generated even more interest among students in the Falcon Marching Band, which has steadily grown since 2022.
The momentum continued into fall of 2026, when the Falcon Marching Band became America’s largest college marching band, with 600 members joining for the 2026-27 season.
Enthusiasm for the band has continued to grow among both students and community members. Fans continue to pack the stands at home football games to watch the band’s elaborate performances, which are now also streamed live on YouTube for audiences around the globe.
The growing support has extended beyond the $1 million fundraising milestone.
In September, Findlay-based Garner Trucking, Inc., led by BGSU alumna Sherri Brumbaugh ’93, donated a fully customized, 53-foot semitrailer to the band. Brumbaugh, president and CEO of Garner Trucking, covered the cost of the trailer, while Lisa Galvin, who has been arranging music for the band since 2022, covered the cost of having it wrapped with BGSU and Falcon Marching Band branding.
The trailer will transport the band’s equipment and uniforms to the Rose Parade.
In another show of support, the BGSU football team presented all 600 band members with Nike backpacks funded by a gift from longtime BGSU supporters Mike and Jan Wilcox. The band received the backpacks during a surprise event at the Perry Field House in September as part of an ongoing partnership between the band and football team and their shared commitment to representing the university with pride.
Gifts to the Falcon Marching Band Experiential Experience Fund will support future experiences for band members.
