Alumni Chapter creates legacy for every Pride member

Once a Pride member, always a Pride member.

The motto has an even greater meaning with the founding of the Pride of the Dakotas Alumni Chapter. It became official with the signing of the chapter bylaws May 4.

According to the bylaws, membership will consist of alumni, former students and friends of the Pride of the Dakotas Marching Band.

“It’s extremely exciting to create a chapter that will represent the prestigious legacy of every Pride of the Dakotas member who has ever put on the uniform and performed,” says Dave Jones, a 1988 State graduate.

Membership, though, isn’t entirely tied to the marching band. In fact, anyone who has been associated with the SDSU Music Department can join the chapter.

“A member doesn’t even have to graduate from SDSU,” remarks Jones. “Anyone who participated in music performance and music education is eligible to be a member.”

The chapter is governed by a nine-member board of directors, including Jones. The others are Stephanie Broderson, ’88; Jennifer Cady, ’08, president; Dan Carlson, ’99; Paula Derickson, ’92; Steve Johnson, ’92; Kevin Kessler, ’98; Jesse Miller, ’04; and Mike Uken, ’02.

While alumni chapters are typically geographically based, the Pride chapter is based on a common interest in SDSU music.

“What makes this chapter somewhat unique is that it’s not defined by a geographic locale or region as most are,” notes Jones. “We have Pride of the Dakotas alumni all over the globe.”

Interest there for chapter

According to Broderson, people will be pleasantly surprised when the alumni chapter comes marching their way.

“We hope to make the next alumni band as big or bigger than the Pride,” she says with a broad smile. “It’s so exciting to be part of something like this.

“For me, it will be the opportunity to reconnect with a group of people who had a huge influence on me and what I have become and what has remained important to me during these many years since graduation.”

Pride alumni have been holding reunions every five years, and every time they’ve come together, thoughts of forming a chapter seemed to always pop up for discussion.

The idea was greatly accelerated when they gathered for a reunion in honor of the 100th Hobo Day Parade in fall 2012.

“We were able to visualize improvements to our planning and execution if we had a formal relationship with both the SDSU Music Department and the SDSU Alumni Association,” says Jones.

“When we gauged interest from attendees at the reunion, we felt that we had the support to move forward. With the help of Mike Hart — president of the Sioux Empire Staters and Pride alum — we engaged in conversations with the Alumni Association to initiate the process.”

Jones points out that the chapter plans on being much more than a performance outlet.

“We plan to work closely with the music department, the alumni association and the SDSU Foundation to serve as ambassadors of the Pride,” he says.

“We want to better understand the resources they need to improve education, student scholarships and enhancing performance opportunities.”

A tradition to share

Plans call for chapter members to continue holding reunions every five years with the exception of coming together for special events. However, chapter members have loftier goals in mind.

“I envision a worldwide group,” says Broderson, “and that’s not a problem if some people can get back only periodically.

“Since most activities will involve university functions such as Hobo Day I would think most gatherings would occur in Brookings, but who knows what ideas people may have once the chapter is up and running.”

Says Jones, “Yes, we will be getting together mainly around university activities, but we’re also discussing getting members in the tri-state area for more frequent performing opportunities.”

The Pride of the Dakotas Alumni Chapter is open to all comers with a shared interest — an interest that harkens the tradition of “Ring the Bell” and “Yellow and Blue.”

“What strikes me the most is that even though most of us come from different eras of the Pride, we can all identify with the same traditions, challenges and memories of being a member of the Pride of the Dakotas,” says Jones.

“I think most people would agree that the undergrad years were the most formative, fun and the first time many of us were away from home,” says Broderson. “I would love to again see the people from the Pride who I spent so much time with.”

Chief Warrant Officer 4 Fred Ellwein, a 1983 SDSU graduate, is the commander of the United States Army Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps. It’s one of the country’s most historic military bands that performs at all armed forces arrival ceremonies honoring visiting dignitaries and heads of state at the White House.

As a former member of the Pride, Ellwein always says this of the Pride of the Dakotas Marching Band: “It’s more than an institution — it’s a family.”

For information on becoming a member of the Pride of the Dakotas Alumni Chapter, contact Annie Spaulding of the SDSU Alumni Association at 605-697-5198.

Kyle Johnson