Two MHS alums participating in bowl games with university bands

Top: The CMU Marching Chippewas include the color guard. Lilly Diuble of Manchester is a member of the Color Guard team. Bottom: Jacob Mann of Manchester is part of the EMU Marching Band, “The Pride of the Peninsula.”

It has been a good year for football in Michigan. Michigan State (10-2) is going to the Peach Bowl on Dec. 30; while the University of Michigan (12-1) is going to represent the Big 10 in the Orange Bowl on Dec. 31.

In addition, the Central Michigan University Chippewas will be attending the Arizona Bowl in Tucson, as they face Boise State University at 2 pm on Dec. 31, and the Eastern Michigan University Eagles will attend the Lending Tree Bowl in Mobile, Alabama on December 18, to face Liberty University of Virginia.

And why do these smaller, lesser-known Bowl games matter to Manchester, you wonder?

Lillian Diuble, a 2020 graduate of Manchester High School, is a member of the Color Guard with the Central Michigan Marching Chippewas. And Jacob Mann, a 2021 Manchester graduate, is a member of the EMU band. Both bands will, of course, be heading south with their respective bands to cheer on their teams to victory!

Because the CMU/Boise State game is on New Years Eve, Lilly says she will be able to go home and spend Christmas with her family, as the current plan is to leave December 29 to start rehearsing for their performance. “Plans are still up in the air for our performances,” Lilly said in an email. “We are likely doing pregame, but other information is to be determined.”

To be “Bowl eligible,” teams must have won a set number of games, and EMU won seven out of its total 12 games this season. This made them eligible to represent the Mid-American Conference.

The Eagles band has converted its regular practices to “Bowl Game Practices” — as the band staff puts together another halftime show, and another version of the pregame show.

“We will start our 15-hour bus ride to Alabama on Wednesday, December 15, and will travel back home on Sunday, December 19,” said Jacob. “While in Alabama, the EMU Marching Band, ‘The Pride of the Peninsula,” will participate in pre-game activities, including a parade!

“And yes, I will get to spend Christmas with my family, which is special — I get to spend time with my new band family AND my family here at home. I could not ask for a better way to end the year!”

Lilly adds, “I have enjoyed our other performances this year and I feel that I have grown as a performer. I am excited to cheer on our team at the bowl game; I think it will be a fun and rewarding experience, especially to wrap up the year!”

So it appears that regardless of the scoring outcome of any of the aforementioned football games, there will be at least two very happy, musically-inclined, Manchester High alumni by the end of 2021. Good luck to all of the teams!

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by Marsha Chartrand

Marsha Johnson Chartrand, a founder, writer, and copy editor with the Manchester Mirror, is a 50-year resident of Manchester. She has a long history of volunteer and community involvement.