Ohio State University Drum Major: Doug Secrist

Doug Secrist was a student of Tim Burke (Ohio University Band). Secrist, Burke, Kopetz (OSUMB drum major 1972-73) and Gammage (OSUMB drum major 1974-75), all attended Walnut Ridge High School, Columbus. The three from OSU were assistant drum majors before winning the top position.

The assistant drum major today has different responsibilities than in the '30's. His duties then were to pace the distance between players during rehearsal of the formations, to serve in some managerial capacity, to play in the band (if he was a musician) and to be a standby alternate for the drum major in case of emergency. On occasion the assistant would perform in specialty numbers with the head drum major.

In the '50's, '60's and '70's, OSU was fortunate enough to go to the Rose Bowl. The assistant led the Rose Bowl Parade while the drum major performed the halftime show. In addition to his Rose Bowl responsibilities, the assistant drum major presently serves as a squad leader for the alternate. Beginning in 1979, he will be assistant leader for the drum major squad teaching charting, conducting,


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	Doug Secrist 1976
Doug Secrist was a student of Tim Burke (Ohio University Band). Secrist, Burke, Kopetz (OSUMB drum major 1972-73) and Gammage (OSUMB drum major 1974-75), all attended Walnut Ridge High School, Columbus. The three from OSU were assistant drum majors before winning the top position. The assistant drum major today has different responsibilities than in the '30's. His duties then were to pace the distance between players during rehearsal of the formations, to serve in some managerial capacity, to play in the band (if he was a musician) and to be a standby alternate for the drum major in case of emergency. On occasion the assistant would perform in specialty numbers with the head drum major. In the '50's, '60's and '70's, OSU was fortunate enough to go to the Rose Bowl. The assistant led the Rose Bowl Parade while the drum major performed the halftime show. In addition to his Rose Bowl responsibilities, the assistant drum major presently serves as a squad leader for the alternate. Beginning in 1979, he will be assistant leader for the drum major squad teaching charting, conducting,		Doug Secrist
and leadership training, marching and twirling. When Secrist was assistant drum major, he led the band in the Rose Bowl Parade. He also shared leadership of the band with the head drum major at the pep rallies before home games. Secrist's year of training under Gammage paid off in May 1976. In the drum major tryouts, he had an excellent score in the five required categories: traditional ramp entrance, twirling, aerials, goal post toss and overall showmanship. As drum major he had the honor of leading the OSUMB in the Orange Bowl Parade and the pregame and halftime shows. Secrist was a polished, well-disciplined, accurate performer. He concentrated on strutting and down field performance, but lacked the charisma that his assistant, Dwight Hudson displayed. In the spring tryouts of 1977, Secrist equaled in performance of Hudson, but was unable to match him in showmanship requirements. Hudson showed more exuberance in the eyes of the judges.