The Miami University Marching Band is excited for the home debut of their brand new look at Saturday’s home game against Bowling Green as part of Miami’s Family Weekend events. First seen last weekend when Miami traveled to Notre Dame, the uniform represents the first major design departure in the past two decades. The uniforms were designed by Michael Cesario, one of the top designers in the marching and pageantry medium and were produced locally by Fred J. Miller, Inc., a Miamisburg-based manufacturer and one of the industry leaders.
Dr. Stephen Lytle, Director of the MUMB, is thrilled at the result. “The uniform’s jacket is intentionally modern with features such as a split collar and the multi-toned fabric print yet we sought to preserve some traditional elements that make the uniform unique to us such as the beveled M in the front as well as the MIAMI back-drop. The jacket is back-zipped, requiring a friend to help zip up. At the top of the back collar is the phrase, ‘Love and Honor’ so each member is literally greeting each other as they help to dress for the game. The black pants are a departure from the white but it is not the first time the band has worn black, having done so before in the early 1990s. Additionally, the black pants will be more practical in care and upkeep.”
In addition to the design of the uniform is a noticeable improvement in comfort for the performers. The fabric no longer contains wool and is lighter and more breathable, making it much more comfortable to wear, particularly in the warmest parts of the season where on-field temperatures can reach above 100 degrees in the direct sun.
