Falcon and Rocket Marching Bands both set to perform during 2025 Battle of I-75

BOWLING GREEN, Ohio (WTVG) – Members of The University of Toledo Rocket Marching Band are warming up for a road trip. They’re headed south to Bowling Green State University for the Battle of I-75.

“It’s a great day for college football, for the rivalry, for two great bands, and halftime is for the bands, and so we’re going to showcase both bands at halftime. The University of Toledo will do a show. We will do a show. We’ve invited the University of Toledo band director to conduct the National Anthem at the game, and so, you know, it’s part and parcel of everything that is great about college football. The students, obviously, the players on the field, but the bands. The bands make the true essence of college football and we’re going to have it right here on Saturday,” said Jon Waters, Director of Marching and Athletic Bands at BGSU.

Last year, in 2024, the University of Toledo hosted a Hall of Fame induction ceremony during halftime of the rivalry game at the Glass Bowl. UToledo said there was not enough time for the Falcon Marching Band to perform.

This year, in 2025, BGSU is welcoming the Rocket Marching Band to the Doyt. The 475-member Falcon Marching Band, one of the biggest in the country, will make room for the Rockets.

“And you know what’s great is many of these students have gone to high school with the Rocket Marching Band members and so, many of our students know students in the Rocket Marching Band and there’s a great camaraderie with the students, with our band with their band. You know, we’ve been friends. Yeah, of course, we’re rivals on Saturday, but we are friends every other day of the year,” said Waters.

BGSU also issued this statement:

“College marching band performances are part of the rich tradition of college football, and any university’s marching band will always be welcome to perform at the Doyt when playing Bowling Green. We want to recognize all the students, from both universities, who have worked so hard in preparation for this celebrated rivalry game, and we look forward to the Rocket Marching Band’s performance during the Battle of I-75 Halftime Show at the Doyt this weekend.”

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