Male High School marching band makes up for missed home football concession sales

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) – Male High School’s first home football game was supposed to be Friday night, but their field is still under construction.

Instead of fans in the stands, the marching band practiced in a nearby parking lot — something they’ve been forced to do for weeks. Bulldozers and workers are still finishing the turf and goalposts after weather delays pushed the project back.

For freshman Eli Bennett, tonight would have been his first chance to play saxophone under the lights.

“The field is kind of in ruins right now,” Bennett said.

The field delay also hurts the band financially. Band boosters usually run concessions at football games, bringing in thousands of dollars to help cover the program’s $150,000 annual budget for travel, uniforms and instruments.

“Concessions are a big deal for us,” said band director Katelyn Blaszynski. “We need that money to keep things afloat.”

On Friday night, the band performed for parents instead, debuting parts of their Beatles-inspired show, “All the Lonely People.”

The hope now: a finished field, so students can get back under the lights — and the band can get back on track for competition season.

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