Welp. Not exactly a Minuteman Band tradition, but certainly a tradition for MassWildlife and the W.E.B. Du Bois Library at UMass Amherst. In 2024, members of the Minuteman Marching Band had the opportunity to name one of the peregrine falcon chicks nesting atop the W.E.B. Du Bois Library—and naturally, a little band humor followed.
Meet Ian Bandwich Hale
Named in honor of Associate Director Ian Hale, the healthy male falcon (band number 73/BZ) was officially banded by MassWildlife on May 24 as part of an ongoing conservation effort to monitor and protect Massachusetts’ peregrine falcon population.
bandwich (noun) \ˈband-wich\
- A bagged sandwich provided to members of the UMass Minuteman Marching Band during travel to performances, competitions, and other events.
- (affectionate, UMMB slang) Any boxed or bagged meal eagerly consumed between rehearsals, football games, or long bus rides.
Example: “Grab your bandwich before we load the buses.”
Updates
- Follow the Du Bois Falcons on Facebook
- Watch Falcon Cam (live)
- Order a Falcon plushie from the UMass Store
September 10, 2024 – Ian Bandwich Hale was spotted at the Quabbin Reservoir by photographer Ernie LeBlanc.
June 4, 2024 – Ian Bandwich Hale is on the move!
May 24, 2024 – It’s banding day for Ian Bandwich Hale (73/BZ). He’s a large male, and was named by our UMass Minuteman Marching Band.
