Temple University Bands are a vital part of Temple’s artistic, athletic and social community. In 2025, the band will celebrate its 100th anniversary with a special appearance at NBC’s Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. The Diamond Marching Band, as it is now known, is a mainstay at Temple events like football games, pep rallies and of course, Homecoming and Family Weekend.
Alumni members of the marching band return each year to reunite and perform at Homecoming and Family Weekend, showcasing the lifelong connection that band members forge during their time at Temple. We spoke to a few of the band members who return every year about why it’s so important to them, and why that #TempleMade connection persists through generations.
Benjamin Basalik, BYR '18
Benjamin, a music education major, initially joined the Diamond Marching Band at Temple as part of his coursework and quickly fell in love with the experience. As a tuba player and section leader, Benjamin’s time in the band became a core part of his identity at Temple, filled with a mix of stress and enjoyment from various performances and events.
His favorite memories include a monsoon during the 2015 Boca Raton Bowl and the electrifying atmosphere at the 2015 Temple vs. Notre Dame game, where he says the crowd's energy surpassed that of the band during pregame. He says coming back for Homecoming is always a fun opportunity for him to reconnect and relive those memories.
Benjamin enjoys playing songs like "Basket Case," "Forget About Dre," and "Halftime" with the band. He believes that Temple's school spirit stands out due to its energy and positive vibe, even in tough times. He says the band fosters friendships and community, often through shared experiences and challenges. He describes Temple as a gritty, real-world school that reflects the essence of Philadelphia. He adds that his favorite spot on campus is Jay Krush's office in the basement of Presser Hall, a place that holds personal significance for him.
"Temple is like Philly. If you love it, it will love you back. Temple is special because of what it represents to all who go there."
Grace Keiser, EDU '21
Grace chose Temple primarily because of its marching band, a passion she carried over from her high school color guard experience. The university holds a special significance for her, as her parents, Ken and Jeanne Keiser, met while members of the Temple marching band. During her time with the Diamond Marching Band, she formed lasting friendships and enjoyed performing at home and away games, including bowl games.
Her favorite memories include performing with her dad at Homecoming games and participating in fun outings with the color guard, such as “Sundae Sunday.” Grace looks forward to Homecoming each year, relishing the chance to reconnect with friends and perform at Lincoln Financial Field alongside her dad. She particularly enjoyed the 2017 Ed Sheeran show and the band’s performance of “Fat Lip.”
Grace appreciates all the opportunities for friendship within the marching band, especially its traditions, including freshman and upperclassman march-offs and inspirational talks from Dr. Brunner. Her favorite spot on campus is the Crepe Truck, a beloved hangout from her student days that she looks back fondly upon.
"Temple is also particularly special to me because my parents met each other for the first time as members of Temple's marching band!
David Troyer, LAW '82
David Troyer was an active member of the Temple University Diamond Marching Band from 1975 to 1979, which he says was the outright highlight of his college experience. He formed lifelong friendships and cherished memories, including performing at events like the Temple vs. Penn State game in front of 65,000 fans in 1975 and two trips to Tokyo for the Mirage Bowl.
David values the TUDMB for its central role in fostering school spirit at Temple and believes it brings people together, having witnessed friendships and even marriages formed within the band. He proudly displays his Margaret C. Miller Award for outstanding band membership alongside his accolades from the U.S. Department of Justice. He fondly anticipates returning to perform with the band during Homecoming each year, particularly enjoying playing "Fight Temple Fight." David also appreciates Temple's strong reputation, which he discovered more fully during his 17 years in South Florida, and he holds a special connection to the campus garden off 13th and Berks honoring great teachers, where his father's name, Dr. J. Robert Troyer, who taught at the med school for 39 years, is listed. David continues to look forward to returning to Temple each year to play with the band at Homecoming.
"Temple is such a great school with a great reputation. I lived in South Florida for 17 years and when I told people I went to Temple, they were impressed. You don’t realize how great the reputation is."
Members of the Diamond Marching Band often meet for the first time at band camp, but the bonds they form can last for decades after their marching days are over.
Read more about the band: where harmony and friendship meet.
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