As a former Bandie, this article on the prevalence of marching band injuries caught my eye.

In addition, states like Texas and Oklahoma “have started to mandate pre-participation physical evaluations for marching band members, recognizing that the physical demands and environmental conditions of these students are similar to those experienced by athletes,” according to the National Federation of State High School Associations.

“This study is overdue. I think many of us focus on the athletes on the field and the court and can overlook the physical demands of being in the marching band,” Dr. Robert Lapus, a UTHealth Houston emergency medicine physician affiliated with Children’s Memorial Hermann Hospital, told UPI via email.

UPI.com

It’s about time bandies were recognized for the athletes we are! By the way, this is my favorite marching band injury:

They were a bunch of punks: