What do you think of when you hear the word sport?  Most think hard work, physical activity, skill etc.  What are some examples of sports?  Again most people would say basketball, baseball, football, soccer, etc.; but would marching band come to mind?  Could it be called a sport? I believe the answer is yes.

A sport is defined as an activity involving physical exertion and skill in which an individual or team competes against another or others for entertainment.  Is that not what marching band is?  It’s very difficult and takes a lot of skill to play an instrument or spin a flag/rifle/sabre while marching across the entire length of a football field.  They practice every day and they condition, just like any other sport would.  Some marching bands even go to contests where they compete against other bands.  They also provide entertainment at football games.

Color guard member Marlen Lopez says, “When I first joined marching band I thought it was going to be really easy, but it’s not.  It takes a lot of skill and can be very tiring.”

Marching band member Megan Healey states, “To me marching band has all of the aspects any sport does.  It’s difficult, and will always be a sport in my mind no matter what anyone says.”

To many people marching band isn’t just some hobby, it’s an actual sport that takes time and effort.  Marching band takes skill, has a lot of physical activity, provides entertainment and has contests where you compete against other bands.  Aren’t those all the qualities in the definition of a sport?  If so, then why is it still not classified as one?  

To me and many others marching band will always be a sport.  Do you think it is?