Ready for the Boom: Faces of the Band

Drum Major

PHOTO: JOHN EMIGH Drum major Christian Frankl is performance ready at Kinnick Stadium.

Band members call Christian Frankl a natural-born leader. The political science and music student has been involved in the marching band since his freshman year and booked a flight back to Iowa during his study abroad in Scotland to audition for his role. Frankl conducts the band in an a cappella version of “Alma Mater Iowa” in the tunnel below Kinnick and can be seen with his mace forward, leading the band onto the field before each game.

Frankl has been “obsessed” with Big Ten bands since he was a kid and felt inspired by the leadership he saw during his first year in the band. “The drum major is a special position,” says Frankl, “because it blends leadership with performance, and I absolutely love doing both.” As the primary instructor of traditions and marching fundamentals, he says it’s “especially rewarding to see new members become part of such a storied tradition at Iowa.”

Band Mom

With more than 250 members, the band relies on U-Hauls on game days just to transport instruments from the practice field to Kinnick. When the band travels farther distances for exhibitions or special performances (like its mash-up with Ohio State this past October), it rolls out in seven charter buses and a tricked-out semitruck.

Nearly everyone associated with the band says none of this would be possible without Kathy Ford (92BA). Ford is the Hawkeye Marching Band operations manager and administrator, though she’s affectionately referred to as “Band Mom.” Considering the snacks she provides after halftime, the dry-cleaning she organizes, and the props she secures for performances (think 76 trombones for The Music Man), her nickname seems fitting. She embraces the title and says, “I have 264 kids.”

Golden Girl

PHOTO: JOHN EMIGH In July 2022, Golden Girl Ella McDaniel became Miss Majorette of America with her baton-twirling skills.

Iowa currently has the No. 1 twirler in the country. Golden Girl Ella McDaniel recently won Miss Majorette of America after competing nationally against 60 collegiate twirlers. McDaniel has dreamed about becoming the Golden Girl since watching Chelsea Russell (11BA, 13MAT) perform at the 2011 Miss Majorette pageant. At band practice, she helps lead the warmup and stretches with drum major Christian Frankl and can be spotted twirling mid-formation.

“Being the Golden Girl is honestly such a privilege,” says McDaniel. “It’s my second year twirling with the Hawkeye Marching Band, and it’s still such a surreal title to hold. Twirling on the field with such pride for my school is the best part of my week.”

Voice of the Band

For 42 years and counting, Lou Crist (60BA, 81MA) has served as the golden voice of the Hawkeye Marching Band. The former band member previously performed in the 1959 Rose Bowl.

When the Hawkeyes traveled last New Year’s Day to the Citrus Bowl, Crist was unable to make the trip due to COVID-19 concerns. Being in Iowa while the Hawks were in Florida didn’t stop him from leading the band onto the field, though. As the band readied to enter the stadium, Crist broadcasted from a Cedar Rapids radio station, “It’s time to get ready for the BOOM!”