USC to Help Band Play On

With an assist from USC Athletic Director Mike Garrett, the Sherman Oaks Notre Dame High marching band is expected to keep alive a 20-year tradition of serving as the pep band for the University of Notre Dame in its football games against USC at the Coliseum.

This year’s appearance by the band for the Nov. 30 game was canceled last week after the university’s compliance officer determined that a new NCAA rule, which went into effect in August, makes it illegal for Notre Dame to invite the band.

The new rule does not specifically allow visiting teams to hire bands for regular-season away games.

However, Garrett has decided “it would be appropriate” to have the band play at the game and will make the phone call today to invite them on behalf of USC, school spokesman Tim Tessalone said.

“The stipulation is they have to wear Cardinal T-shirts and play ‘Fight On’ at least three times,” Tessalone said jokingly.

The band’s director, John Combes, said that if invited the band would accept.

Ironically, the NCAA amendment was designed to create more opportunities for bands.