The Washington State University Cougar Marching Band will not travel to Husky Stadium for Sunday’s Apple Cup game against the University of Washington, KIRO 7 News Seattle reported. The decision follows seating changes that move visiting school bands from field level to the upper deck, an adjustment made when UW joined the Big Ten Conference in 2024.
Jon Haarlow, WSU vice president and director of athletics, addressed the issue on a podcast, noting that conference realignment has altered visiting team ticket distribution. He expressed concern that the logistics of moving between the upper deck and the field would prevent the group from having the desired experience.
Rick Flores, president of the board for the Cougar Alumni Band, highlighted the substantial hurdle of maneuvering a 260-member ensemble through crowds with large instruments. Flores told KIRO 7 News Seattle that the move would cause students to miss significant portions of the first and third quarters. This absence breaks a long-standing tradition between the rival programs. Flores recalled a 2018 moment of sportsmanship when the WSU band quickly learned the UW fight song after a charter bus crash. He noted that conference realignments affect more than student-athletes, extending to band members and cheerleaders, and urged fans to compensate for the band’s absence with their own energy in the stands.
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