By Marisa Dawson

Above: The Badger pep band performed at the recent basketball doubleheader against Blair. Photo By Marisa Dawson

The Bennington High School Badger Band is gearing up for an exciting invasion of Bluejay territory this Sunday, January 11, when 74 students of the over 100-member band will perform at the Creighton University women’s basketball game against No. 1-ranked UConn. The highly anticipated matchup, set for 1:00 p.m. at the CHI Health Center in Omaha, marks a rare opportunity for the Badgers to bring their school spirit to a Division I arena. Creighton reached out to band director Cassi Vallis on short notice, eager to fill the stands and energize the crowd, and the Bennington community quickly rallied to make it happen.

Vallis, a Creighton alum and former pep band member, called the invitation a “full circle moment.” She highlighted the significance, saying, “I think it’s just a testament to how hard they work and all the school spirit that they have; also just their pride in themselves and in their band.” The Badgers will deliver their crowd-favorite tunes, new classics, and Creighton’s fight song “White and Blue,” which Vallis noted feels fitting given Bennington’s own White Band and Blue Band ensembles. With the largest visiting group Creighton has hosted this season, the Badgers are poised to make a big impact in the packed arena.

Students are filled with excitement, according to Vallis: “They’re really pumped about it… They’re eager, they’re hungry, they’re excited.” Creighton is providing pizza for the band, and discounted tickets (only $8.38) are available for family, friends, teachers, and community members through this special link: https://www.gofevo.com/event/Benningtonhighschool2. Organizers are urging Bennington fans to snap up seats and help pack the house with Badger blue to cheer on both the band and the Bluejays in this marquee showdown.