BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — As school bands roll in and out of Legacy Arena for women’s March Madness, each has its own way of showing school spirit. Some wear extra stylish uniforms with beaded necklaces, others wear green glittery hats, or even a leprechaun hat.
During TCU’s Sweet 16 game against Notre Dame on Saturday, fans saw a band accessory most had surely not seen before: an inflatable deer.
Bandbi, as the deer is known, has its own X account. In the bio? “A beacon of truth in the collegiate world. I am also full of hot air (literally!) and my lifeless body is waved by band students.”
When the opposing team is shooting free throws, a band member grabs Bandbi, who wears a TCU jersey, and waves it in the air passionately in effort to distract the shooter.
“TCU is in Fort Worth, which is called Funky Town, and since we are from Funky Town, we think having Bandbi shows that and represents us,” sophomore band member Garrett Nelson said.
Bandbi was adopted by the TCU band back in 2014. He was abandoned in a parking lot in Funky Town, and a band member at the time decided to take him to a basketball game. When one decided to pick up Bandbi and wave him in the air, and the tradition was born.
“Bandbi has been through a lot and is still here,” senior band member Amanda Whitley said. “So he represents perseverance.”
Like the perseverance that has brought TCU to its first Sweet 16 in program history.
Popi Márquez is a student in the University of Georgia's Sports Media Certificate program.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Meet Bandbi, TCU pep band's inflatable reindeer for March Madness
