ESPN attends rehearsal as Penn State blue band prepares for whiteout

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. - The famous Penn State Whiteout is right around the corner and it’s brought massive media attention to State College. It’s well known that ESPN’s College Gameday is in town, but it’s gone under the radar that on Friday, ESPN visited the Penn State Blue Band’s rehearsal.

Fourth year, Blue Sapphire Mackenzie Bronk believes it’s particularly exciting that ESPN is covering the Blue Band alongside Football.

“I was ecstatic, I feel like that's so exciting for the Blue Band,” Bronk said. “It’s sports that they normally cover, so the fact that they’re branching out to things that support the sports is huge and super exciting to say the least.”

Some of the members believe there’s a different level of preparation before the Whiteout.

Three of the five most attended Penn State home games have been official Whiteout games. Members believe the stage the Whiteout presents and the sheer number of people is why it’s one of the most unique performances to prepare for.

“It’s (the Whiteout) truly a different beast,” Alyssa Sproul, a second-year majorette, said. “There are so many more people in State College as a whole…When we’re performing, we really just have to try our hardest to focus on what’s in front of us and not the 110,000 people.”

Meanwhile, media attention is something Ellie Sheehan, the first female Drum Major of the Blue Band, blocks out routinely to focus on her job.

“I just kind of block it (the media) out when I go and do my job, ” Sheehan said. “I have to push that to the side and focus on my job and what needs to be done.”

Multiple members show praise and excitement for Sheehan as she enters her first Whiteout game as Drum Major.

“I am really pleased that Ellie has been getting the coverage she’s been getting and I hope ESPN continues to celebrate her,” Cara Arnoldi, a fifth-year baritone member, said.

“I love any opportunity that the Blue Band gets to get our name out there…Especially for Ellie being the first female Drum Major - any publicity that she gets is incredible for her and the Blue Band in general,” Lucy Schilling, the student president and fourth-year trumpet player of the Blue Band, said.

With ESPN in attendance at Friday’s practice, Arnoldi believes it gives first-year members a sense of how important this game is.

“I think ESPN will help freshmen take into account how awesome and big this game is, how it’s, you know, the best show in college sports,” Arnoldi said.

Schilling believes the band is ready, and the ESPN cameras will be a glimpse of what they’ll see in Saturday’s contest.

“I think it gets us in the mindset of, there’s more eyes on us…just preparing for more cameras, more eyes, more people watching and watching what we do, we’re ready for it,” Schilling said.

All of the members interviewed agreed that they hope ESPN covers the unseen hard work, dedication, and team effort that goes into preparing their performances week in and week out.

“It takes a certain level of dedication to uphold the legacy of the Blue Band,” Sproul said.

“I hope they see the hard work and grit that we put in today,” Schilling said.

“I hope ESPN covers the unsung heroes of the Blue Band,” Arnoldi said.

“I hope that they capture the hard work and dedication that goes on behind closed doors,” Bronk said.

“I really hope they capture the behind-the-scenes, the hard work, the building each other up and persevering through the tough times,” Sheehan said.

Vinny Jones is a second-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, please email him at vtj5006@psu.edu.