When the Buckeyes return this Ohio Stadium this fall to kick off the football season, the Ohio State University Marching Band will have two new drum majors leading the way.
Ben Fox, a rising sophomore studying mechanical engineering, will serve as The Best Damn Band in the Land’s 67th drum major. Jacob Snyder, a rising sophomore majoring in zoology, was selected as the assistant drum major.
Fox and Snyder were among seven candidates who competed in tryouts over the weekend at Lincoln Tower Park.
Each candidate performed a traditional pre-game ramp entrance – including the high strut from the north side of the field, the backbend and the goal-post toss – as well as an individual twirling routine and a series of five high aerial tosses. Candidates were judged by a panel of previous drum majors and members of the band staff.
“We have two terrific performers and leaders who have earned their spots today,” Christopher Hoch, TBDBITL director, said in a statement. “This was a very close tryout, and I give my applause to all seven candidates who tried out. I’m really looking forward to working with Ben and Jacob this season.”
Fox, a graduate of Upper Arlington High School, has been training for this position for over four years, according to a university press release. He is the first head drum major from Upper Arlington.
“Honestly, it still doesn’t feel real,” Fox said in a statement. “Hearing my name called was one of those moments you dream about. I’m beyond excited for what’s ahead and incredibly grateful for the opportunity to lead this band that means so much to me.”
Fox and Snyder are the first two students to secure their spots for the 2026 marching band. All other TBDBITL hopefuls will try out in mid-August.
Higher education reporter Sheridan Hendrix can be reached at shendrix@dispatch.com and on Signal at @sheridan.120. You can follow her on Instagram at @sheridanwrites.
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Ohio State’s marching band named two new drum majors for the 2026 season
Reporting by Sheridan Hendrix, Columbus Dispatch / The Columbus Dispatch
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