I attended the 2012 Fiesta Bowl and was proud of Oklahoma State's victory. While I have many great memories, the greatest source of pride came while the game clock wasn't running. The Cowboy Marching Band displayed the class one would expect when representing the university. The band was rewarded with a standing ovation from our fans.

This reminded me of a touching moment during the Bedlam game. In a display of true respect, both the Cowboy band and the Pride of Oklahoma took the field together to play “Amazing Grace” in tribute to the victims of the plane crash that had just taken lives of four of the OSU family.

Both band programs are often overlooked, though they typify an aspect of what makes Oklahoma a great state. I hope more fans in the future deliver standing ovations to the students who help make game day even more enjoyable.

To donate to the OSU band, go to www.osugiving.com or send a check to the OSU Foundation, 400 S. Monroe, Stillwater, OK 74074. Designate it to the Cowboy Band Fan Club fund; the fund number is 22-84700. To donate to the Pride of Oklahoma, go to www.oufoundation.org or mail contributions to: The University of Oklahoma Foundation, 100 Timberdell Road, Norman, OK 73019, with “To benefit The Pride of Oklahoma” in the memo portion of the check.