Prep School Band Cheers Duquesne To Victory Over BYU In Emergency Situation

The Duquesne Dukes got to the March Madness tournament for the first time since 1977, but they didn’t have a band to come and cheer them on.

That is, until the Creighton Preparatory School (CPS) band stepped in.

A group of about two dozen high school students from the local school traveled to the CHI Health Center Omaha in Omaha, NE, and came to the aid of the Dukes for their Round of 64 matchup against the BYU Cougars on Thursday. For the kids who showed up, it was the experience of a lifetime to play in front of 17,650 fans.

"It made us feel really important," tuba player Patrick McFall said. "Just having a little part of it means a lot."

The CPS students got this opportunity thanks to their partnership with Creighton University, which is hosting all tournament games played in Omaha (the same city their campus is in). On occasion, host schools will provide visiting teams with local bands if they aren’t able to provide one. Last year, the University of Dayton supplied Fairleigh Dickinson with a band in its March Madness run.

For some of this year's members, it wasn’t just the first time that they got to perform on a big stage, it was the first time they got to witness the magic of March up close.

"I honestly didn’t believe it at first," said trumpet player Ryan Eichele. "I’ve always watched March Madness, but I’ve never got a chance to actually attend a game." 

The band of youngsters previously had some experience by playing at Creighton volleyball and basketball games, but nothing like this before. As such, it left an indelible impression on the musicians.

 Jimmy Clark III and the Duquesne Dukes were cheered on b y a local band in their first March Madness win in 55 years. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

"I personally had to step back more than once and process the fact that we even had an opportunity like this," said percussion leader Andrew Tran. "The energy of the band was the highest I have ever seen it and I could tell they were enjoying it just as much as I was."

"It was a feeling of ‘making it’ of sorts," McFall added. "We’re like big dogs now." 

And who knows? Maybe their presence was the spark Duquesne needed to win its first tournament game since 1969.