BOWLING GREEN, Ohio —
It's a rivalry that's lasted decades: the University of Toledo versus Bowling Green State University.
The Battle of I-75 is set for Saturday, Oct. 26, but this year's halftime show will only feature the Rocket Marching Band.
BGSU's president Rodney Rogers sent an email to the marching band, saying that the band will be there to support the football team, but the band will not perform on the field. Less than two weeks from the game, Rogers said this came as a surprise.
In a statement from UToledo, it said, "The response we received from both BGSU's President and Athletic Director was one of disappointment, but understanding of our time limitations. This decision was clearly communicated and not a 'surprise.'"
The statement from UToledo said it was clearly communicated to BGSU that halftime would be used to honor Hall of Fame alumni and include a performance from the Rocket Marching Band.
BGSU Falcon Marching Band alumni Lexie Beamer said she and her partner, a UToledo alum, take the rivalry between the two schools seriously.
"You place little bets like, 'You know what? If BG wins, you have to do the dishes all week,'" Beamer said. "Or, 'You have to do my laundry and this and that.' And just a little playful competition."
Beamer said the email Rogers sent was infuriating.
"It's not really a competition if both people aren't participating, and not that the bands are competing, but it feels unfair and unjust to have one band there supporting their people," Beamer said.
Alex Scheer, a UToledo alumni who has band experience, said he did not play in the Rocket Marching Band, but UToledo's response to the situation was disconcerting.
"I feel like Toledo could have maybe handled this a little bit better, knowing what the tradition was and maybe that's just the direction we're going with college sports is traditions are disappearing, slowly but surely," Scheer said.
Beamer said for her, it's a longstanding tradition she wants to stay.
"I think that no matter who's playing where, having your own band there to support your own football team is such an important part of the experience," Beamer said. "I don't think it really matters whose home turf it's on."
Beamer said she's not even sure if she wants to go to the game now that her band won't be playing.
WTOL 11 has reached out to see when UToledo communicated to BGSU that there would not be time for both bands to play and is still waiting for a response.