The Ohio State and Iowa Marching Bands displayed an ode to Elton John at Saturday's football game halftime show- which earned them a nod from the singing legend himself.

UI Hawkeye Marching Band alum Laurie Canady documented the joy of 50 years of women in marching band with new project.

“In a lot of situations, it would be difficult to do something like this, so the decision was thoughtful and planned out,” said Frankl. “While I was abroad, I focused on meeting new people, studying so I could excel in my classes, and utilizing time management strategies learned over the years so I could also spend time each week training and preparing to interview for the drum major position.”

After earning the competitive title of Golden Girl for the Hawkeye Marching Band, sophomore Ella McDaniel has now been crowned Miss Majorette of America.

When the Hawkeye Marching Band takes the field for the first football game in Kinnick Stadium Sept. 3, it will be accompanied by the Teenage Miss Majorette of America. In July, the University of Iowa's "Golden Girl" Ella McDaniel won the title. For McDaniel, it was a decade-long dream finally being fulfilled.

Christian Frankl wanted to be a Big 10 drum major for as long as he could remember, and this spring, his dream came true. While studying abroad in Scotland, Frankl spent time out on the grassy hills of Edinburgh practicing his mace routines in preparation to fly back to Iowa City and audition for the desired position.

Tyler Strickland will graduate having conducted the Hawkeye Marching Band on some of the biggest stages: Kinnick Stadium, a Big Ten Championship game, and the Citrus Bowl.

The Hawkeye Marching Band was one of two areas to exceed 180 gifts during the University of Iowa's 24-hour online giving day in 2021. Its members are ready to inspire more participation during this spring's event.