In a stunning twist that has taken the music and collegiate world by storm, ESPN has crowned the Ohio State University Marching Band (often affectionately referred to as “The Best Damn Band in the Land,” or TBDBITL) as the #1 marching band in the world. The recognition is not just a point of pride for Buckeye Nation but a historic achievement that has placed the once regional symbol of school spirit on the global stage.
The Crowning Moment
On May 12, 2025, ESPN released a comprehensive global ranking of marching bands, considering criteria such as innovation, musical precision, historical impact, crowd engagement, and global reach. Surpassing longtime leaders such as the University of Southern California’s Spirit of Troy, the Royal Marines Band Service of the UK, and Japan’s Kyoto Tachibana High School Band, the Ohio State Marching Band surged to the top.
In ESPN’s own words:
“What sets Ohio State apart is not just its performance quality, but its creative storytelling, unmatched precision, and ability to inspire awe on both athletic fields and international stages. They are no longer just America’s band—they are the world’s band.”
The moment marked the culmination of years of hard work, tradition, and a relentless pursuit of excellence that transformed a collegiate band into a global cultural icon.
The Origin Story: Humble Beginnings
Founded in 1878 as a military band, the Ohio State University Marching Band was originally a student-led effort composed primarily of brass players. By the 1920s, the band had adopted a more structured approach, growing in both membership and musical repertoire. However, it wasn’t until the mid-20th century that the band began its rise to national prominence.
In 1936, Eugene Weigel took over as director and introduced precision military marching that laid the foundation for the band’s future stylistic identity. Under his leadership, the band adopted its now-signature brass-and-percussion-only format, distinguishing it from virtually every other collegiate band.
Yet, for all of its accolades and traditions, nobody in the early 1900s could have imagined the sheer scale of what the band would become nearly a century later.
The Turning Point: Innovation in the 21st Century
What truly launched the Ohio State Marching Band into the global conversation was its embrace of innovation and technology. With the arrival of Dr. Jon Waters and later band directors like Dr. Christopher Hoch, the band began experimenting with animated formations, 3D field performances, and music-driven narratives that became viral sensations.
Perhaps the most famous example was the now-legendary “Michael Jackson Moonwalk Tribute” in 2013, where the band recreated the King of Pop’s dance moves through synchronized movement on the field. The video racked up over 15 million views in just a week, earning international headlines and firmly placing Ohio State in the spotlight.
Subsequent performances paying homage to Super Mario, Hollywood blockbusters, Broadway musicals, and even NASA space missions proved the band could connect with global audiences across cultures, ages, and languages. These weren’t just halftime shows—they were artistic spectacles.
The 2024–25 Season: A Year of Dominance
While TBDBITL has been a mainstay of college football’s most electric atmospheres, it was the 2024–25 performance calendar that elevated the group to unrivaled status.
Here are some of the highlights that impressed ESPN’s global panel of judges:
- “Legends Never Die” Tribute at the Michigan Game: A tribute to sports legends that brought 105,000 fans to their feet with a spellbinding field formation featuring Jackie Robinson, Kobe Bryant, and Jim Brown.
- International Tour in Europe: For the first time in program history, TBDBITL performed at the Edinburgh Military Tattoo in Scotland, Bastille Day in France, and Rome’s Colosseum Square, drawing unprecedented crowds and media coverage.
- Partnership with Hans Zimmer: In a groundbreaking collaboration, the band performed a live arrangement of Zimmer’s “Time” from Inception, paired with a drone light show, creating one of the most visually and aurally striking spectacles of any marching band performance in the world.
- Super Bowl Halftime Showcase: Though not the main act, the Ohio State Band was invited to be part of the pre-show performance at Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans, performing alongside Beyoncé in a show seen by over 100 million viewers.
Each performance was met with standing ovations, glowing reviews, and viral social media moments.
Technology Meets Tradition
Despite its embrace of cutting-edge visuals, Ohio State has remained fiercely loyal to its roots. The “Script Ohio” formation—where sousaphone players dot the “i” in a swirling script across the field—remains the crown jewel of the band’s traditions.
This unique fusion of heritage and modernity was cited by ESPN as one of the key reasons for its #1 ranking. While other bands have more instruments, more dancers, or larger formations, few combine artistry, discipline, and cultural storytelling the way Ohio State does.
The People Behind the Magic
While the spotlight shines brightly on the band’s formations and performances, the story of TBDBITL is, above all, a story about people.
- Dr. Christopher Hoch, Director of Marching and Athletic Bands at Ohio State, has been instrumental in guiding the band’s growth. His leadership has focused on precision, creativity, and student empowerment.
- The students, who commit hundreds of hours to practice, rehearse on blistering August days and freezing November nights. Many are not music majors but participate out of pure love and pride for their university.
- Alumni, such as Paul Droste, who led the band during the 1970s and established many of the performance standards that continue today, laid the foundation for today’s success.
Even more quietly, the dedicated staff behind the scenes—arrangers, drill designers, uniform custodians—have worked tirelessly to ensure the band maintains its world-class quality.
A Town Transformed
Columbus, Ohio, is no longer just a football town. It has become the epicenter of marching band culture, with fans traveling from around the world to witness live performances during home games. Businesses capitalize on the band’s popularity by selling TBDBITL merchandise, local breweries name beers after famous shows, and even local schools have adopted elements of the band’s routines.
The cultural influence has seeped into every part of the city’s identity.
“It’s like living next to the Beatles,” said one Columbus resident. “You see them at Kroger, then the next week they’re performing in front of 80,000 people. It’s incredible.”
Global Reactions
The announcement of Ohio State’s new #1 status was met with a flurry of reactions from around the world.
- The Kyoto Tachibana Band, previously considered the top global act, congratulated the Buckeyes in a heartfelt message, calling the Ohio State Band “an inspiration to students across Asia.”
- BBC Radio aired a special hour-long program highlighting Ohio State’s legacy and playing clips from their European performances.
- The New York Philharmonic’s Music Director Jaap van Zweden tweeted: “Their sound, precision, and creativity are second to none. Congratulations to TBDBITL!”
Even rivals such as the Michigan Marching Band paid their respects, tweeting, “We may battle on the field, but today, we tip our hats. Well deserved.”
What’s Next for TBDBITL?
Being #1 isn’t the end—it’s a new beginning.
Plans are already in motion for a 2026 World Tour, with stops in South Korea, Brazil, Germany, and South Africa. Discussions are also underway for a feature-length Netflix documentary, which will delve into the stories of the band members, their preparation, and their road to glory.
Ohio State is also exploring partnerships with Grammy-winning artists, including rumored interest from John Legend (an Ohio native), to create crossover music experiences that push the boundaries of what a marching band can be.
Final Thoughts: The Soundtrack of a Legacy
For decades, the Ohio State Marching Band has been the heartbeat of game day, the voice of tradition, and the soul of Buckeye pride. Now, with the world’s eyes upon it, TBDBITL stands as a symbol of what is possible when tradition, passion, and innovation come together in perfect harmony.