Chuck Cowley

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Cowley seldom interacts with the band. But he was pleased when, three years ago, a band member handed him a card that read, "Thank you for being at all our practices, no matter how cold it is." The unsigned card hangs on his office door. And trumpet player Clara Jones recalls the musicians' amazement last year when, on the Monday before the Ohio State game, Cowley joined Boerma on the director's stand.

"Everyone was like, 'that's that guy!'" says piccolo player Rachel Forche. With a smile on his face, Cowley introduced himself and explained simply that he loves watching the band rehearse. In return, Boerma told him that it was great to have his support--and then led the band in playing "The Victors" in Cowley's honor.   

[Originally published in October, 2012.]