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BGSU says UToledo has decided Falcon Marching Band will not play Battle of I-75 halftime show

The letter from BGSU President Rodney Rogers says the university does not know why the decision was made for this year's annual rivalry game.

BOWLING GREEN, Ohio — The University of Toledo has decided Bowling Green State University's marching band will not perform in the halftime show of this year's Battle of I-75 football game, according to an email President Rodney Rogers sent to students on Monday.

The letter states that UToledo "has informed us the Falcon Marching Band would no longer be given time to perform during halftime" at the annual rivalry game, which is scheduled for Oct. 26 at the Glass Bowl Stadium.

"This breaks what we believe is decades of tradition and goodwill for this rivalry game, where the hosting university has welcomed the opposing team's band to perform during halftime."

RELATED: Start time announced for Battle of I-75

Rogers' letter goes on to say that the university does not know why the decision was made and that it "came as a surprise to BGSU just weeks before the game, directly impacting our band members' student experience as one of our two planned away game halftime performances this season."

The letter adds that BGSU would not do the same to UToledo's marching band, which "will always be welcome to perform at the Doyt (Perry Stadium) when playing BGSU."

UToledo provided the following statement Tuesday:

The University of Toledo is proud to be honoring its annual Hall of Fame class during halftime of the October 26th home game against Bowling Green State University. UToledo replied to BGSU’s request to perform through a series of communications to BGSU leadership that we would be utilizing the time available at halftime for our Hall of Fame inductions and the Rocket Marching Band performance. 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”.

UToledo’s obligation is to fully recognize the members of our community who have meant so much to our success and to our hard-working students in the Rocket Marching Band. We will not compromise on this opportunity to celebrate these remarkable individuals. We welcome the attendance of the Falcon Marching Band at the game and recognize the value both bands add to this rivalry.

This year's matchup will be played on a Saturday for the first time since 2019 and will be streamed on ESPN+.

The Rockets, who lead the all-time series 43-41-4, took the trophy back from the Falcons at the Doyt last season after rallying in the fourth quarter to win 32-31.

Editor's note: This story has been updated to include a statement from the University of Toledo.

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