Founded over the summer by sophomore Elizabeth Bundy and instructed by Furman alum Andy Lecture, the Furman University Color Guard is a team of individuals dedicated to perfecting the art of flag spinning. They have performed with the Furman University Marching Band at every football game this season and are in the process of forming a winter guard team for the upcoming performance season. Furman has even filled a niche role in high school recruiting with the color guard: many of the team’s freshmen cite the color guard as their reason for choosing Furman.
But what’s arguably most compelling about Furman’s team is that just months ago, during Furman band camp, the FU Color Guard almost ceased to exist.
Early in the summer, Bundy presented Professor Jay Bocook, Director of Athletic Bands, with the idea of actually starting a color guard at Furman. Bocook agreed to the proposal and even hired an instructor for the guard. Unfortunately, the hired instructor decided not to show up for band camp, and the new guard was left without any routines to learn.
“For the entire band camp, we had no instructor; the entire band was learning, but not us,” said Bundy, the guard’s captain.
The guard’s members attempted to write their own routines but didn’t have much experience, and it looked like the guard would have to wait another year.
Then, at Bundy’s request, Furman alum and color guard performer Lecture agreed to instruct the new Furman Color Guard on a voluntary basis even though he was simultaneously participating in three other guards.
“Having never had the opportunity (but always having the desire) to teach a color guard before, I jumped on the chance and started teaching them on my own time for free, simply because I love color guard,” Lecture said.
Two weeks into Lecture’s work with the guard, Bocook officially hired him. After many rehearsals, as well as performances at football games and in McAllister, the color guard gradually regained lost ground from band camp.
Color guard is a rigorous physical activity, but it’s also rewarding and not beyond the reach of someone looking to pick it up.
“It’s one of those things, once you do it, you keep doing it — challenging enough to be worthwhile, but not impossible,” Bundy said. “There’s a pressure we put upon ourselves. We know what we should be.”
Additionally, the guard’s members tend to bond through this struggle to meet each routine’s physical demands.
“I’m from Connecticut and guard is different there, but you can still connect [here], said freshman member Melissa Christiano. “It’s a family.”
Next up for the FU Color Guard is the winter guard season, in which the guard will perform in competitions throughout the region. The focus is on performing routines to popular music in three to five minute segments. Those interested in joining the winter guard may contact the Furman Color Guard at furmancolorguard@gmail.com.