Big Ten Flags
The Big Ten Flag Corps is a pre-game and parade tradition in the Spartan Marching Band. Members carry large banner type flags on lance poles, which salute the twelve universities in the Big Ten Conference. The section consists of dedicated, hard-working and athletic individuals who carry out unique traditions that exhibit the style and form of the Spartan Marching Band.
The Big Ten Flag Corps comprises two squads. The section leader, who carries the Michigan State flag leads the squad consisting of the Minnesota, Indiana, Northwestern, Iowa and Ohio State flags. The squad leader carries the Michigan flag and leads the squad consisting of the Illinois, Nebraska, Penn State, Purdue and Wisconsin flags. Members audition once during pre-season and a second time during the middle of the season for flag placement. The section leader and squad leader evaluate members for flag placement. Members are evaluated on performance of the Series, fundamentals and Prancing.
Flags are not ranked; however each flag has a specific role dependent upon their position in the block. For example, typically the Ohio State flag and Wisconsin flag are held by good prancers because that position requires the individual to travel the furthest during pre-game, while Penn State is in the center of the squad and therefore requires an individual with good 8 to 5 marching.
Read more about this topic: Michigan State University Spartan Marching Band, Gameday Traditions
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