Down and Off

Down and Off

The Down and Off a podcast for members, alumni, friends, and family of the University of Iowa Hawkeye Marching Band. Hosted by Alums John Brown ('85-'89) and Tim Clay ('08-'12). Our plan is to dive through the rich history of the HMB, interview folks from over the years, give you a chance to share your stories, learn about the HMB, relive memories, and share in the On Iowa cheer. This is a platform for alums to share their stories with others. #OnIowa #GoHawks

Episodes

September 22, 2025 92 mins

It's Homecoming 2025 and John and Tim sit down with 70s Drum Major Dr. Tom Leslie to talk about his time under Dr. Tom Davis in the Hawkeye Marching Band. Dr. Leslie gives us an overview of his time in the band, as a twin drum major, with the first Lani Jo- the first Golden Girl, the legacy of Fred Ebbs, what the HMB taught him, and his journey to being a 40 year director at UNLV. Give it a listen to hear what the band was lik...

Mark as Played

Down & Off is back with a look ahead to Homecoming! John & Tim sit down with Homecoming Chair and Musical Director Jeff Sebille to talk about what folks can expect for Homecoming 2025.

Jeff gives a brief history of the Alumni Band, talks about the Thursday Reception, the Friday Parade & post-parade activities, and game day on Saturday! All the things necessary to Take Back the Field in front of a roaring crowd. 

As always...

Mark as Played

THANK YOU LOU!

In honor of the last game of the Legendary Golden Voice of the Hawkeye Marching Band Lou Crist, here is the interview Tim & John Brown did all the way back on Down & Off Episode 1 in November 2020!

Listen to Lou talk about his time in the HMB, his journey to becoming the Golden Voice, the band under the direction Fred Ebbs, Dr. Tom Davis, the many road & bowl trips, did you know Lou was ...

Mark as Played
August 19, 2025 71 mins

IT'S BAND CAMP TIME! The Hawkeye Marching Band is gathering and getting ready for the upcoming season, and Tim and John sit down with the Associate Director of the Hawkeye Marching Band, Dr. Nick Miller, and the Director of the Hawkeye Marching Band and Associate Director of Bands, Dr. Eric Bush to see what the upcoming season has in store!

Topics include Student Leadership, Drum Major Brandon Alpers & Golden Girl Carissa W...

Mark as Played
August 1, 2025 46 mins

Down & Off is back! Tim Clay is joined by John Barker, a trombone & sousaphone player that joined the Hawkeye Marching Band in 1989. John has agreed to join the Down & Off team and shares about his time in the band and his journey afterwards in the world of radio (and the other HMB, the Hungry March Band). 

Reminder for Homecoming! Registration closes on August 8th! Register Today! If you have any questions, reach out to...

Mark as Played
November 16, 2024 57 mins

Finally! The re-release of the Jose Gallardo episode. Enjoy the conversation between John & Jose as they reminisce over great friends & memories from their time in the HMB.

Enjoy this series of behind the scenes moments as John & Tim record the episode. 

Find the whole conversation on Apple, Stitcher, Spotify, or whichever fine purveyor of podcasts you prefer!

Mark as Played

University of Iowa Alumni Band 51 is here! We are joined by featured guest for Homecoming 2024, former Director of the Hawkeye Marching Band, Professor L. Kevin Kastens!

Humble co-host Tim is joined by fellow Alumni Board member (and former guest of Down & Off) Craig Brown.

Alumni Band 51 was a blast! Listen to the rest of Professor Kastens' remarks from the Homecoming Reception on Thursday, where he ta...

Mark as Played
October 2, 2024 22 mins
Mark as Played

The Hawkeye Marching Band is set to salute Lisa Bluder and her amazing career this weekend, and Down & Off is back to sit down with Homecoming Chair and Director of Alumni Bands Jeff Sebille to get a preview of Homecoming '24 festivities!

Jeff Sebille shares his excitement for Homecoming 2024 and walks through logistics of the weekends events! Starting with the Thursday night Homecoming Reception, through the Para...

Mark as Played

Rumpadiddily! Band Camp is on, marching band season looms, and it's time for our annual check in on the State of the HMB.

John & Tim are back to interview Director of the Hawkeye Marching Band, Dr. Eric Bush, and Associate Director of the Hawkeye Marching Band, Dr. Nick Miller, about all the goings on with HMB 144.

Dr. Miller introduces himself, and his journey from St. Louis to the University of Missouri...

Mark as Played

The regular season has come to an end, bowl season approaches, basketball season is here, and John & Tim are back with 00's Drumline Alum & current Digital Media Specialist for the University of Iowa Center for Advancement and Hawkeye Marching Band John Emigh!

John shares his memories of his time in  the band and the tremendous work Dr. Bush is doing with the Hawkeye Marching Band currently. John shouts out n...

Mark as Played
Mark as Played

Homecoming approaches and John and Tim are privileged to sit down with former President & CEO of the Alumni Association, Vince Nelson, to share his stories with the Alumni Band and growing up. Vince is a delightful presence that fully supports the Alumni Band and the Alumni Association.

As always, send feedback to iowaalumniband@gmail.com, "Like" the "Down and Off Podcast" page on Facebook, and follow the us ...

Mark as Played

The Hawkeyes prevailed against Utah State and the Hawkeye Marching Band had a wonderful performance of the music of ABBA! It is officially footba- marching band season, and John and Tim have the honor of sitting down with Hawkeye Marching Band Director Dr. Eric Bush and Director of the Iowa Alumni Bands Jeff Sebille to get a preview of the HMB's season and Homecoming festivities!

First, Dr. Bush runs down the successe...

Mark as Played

It's been a little bit, but John and Tim are back to end off Season 3 with a fantastic, sparkling, positive guest - the Operations Manager of the Hawkeye Marching Band and Band Administrator, Kathy Ford!  The always uplifting Kathy shares about her time in the HMB in the early 90s and the role she now plays within the HMB. Kathy tells of her first year marching in the Rose Bowl with the Sudler Trophy, the Holiday Bowl, the buz...

Mark as Played
April 7, 2023 53 mins

March Madness has come to an end, the Women's Basketball Team has enjoyed an historic season, and John and Tim are joined by Drum Major of the Hawkeye Marching Band, Christian Frankl. Christian shares his journey from Ames High to the HMB, his love of the alto saxophone section, quest to become drum major, and the many memories he's made along the way.

As always, send feedback to iowaalumniband@gmail.com, "Like" ...

Mark as Played
February 7, 2023 88 mins

Happy New Year! Down & Off is back and celebrating Big Ten Basketball and Pep Band with sousie player Eric Jaffe. Jaffe talks about his time in the Hawkeye Marching Band, bowl memories, and all the Pep Band games and songs trips and chants and general shenanigans. From free throw distractions like STROKE!, to sousie horn movements, yelling at the players, Johnny B, White Castle Express, STICKER-GATE, "Give him the chair!!!...

Mark as Played

Down & Off is back and celebrating 50 years of Women in the HMB with three outstanding guests, Hawkeye Marching Band Flag Guard Captains & Staffers from the 80's, Sherry Marek, Ann Costello Miksch, & Donna Walton. They share their experiences being in the HMB, the special relationship between the silks and the sousies (the Association of Silks & Sousies), how they developed routines, so many favorite memories, ...

Mark as Played
November 3, 2022 43 mins

This episode will be very different from our previous ones. As many of you know by now, our Hawkeye Marching Band family lost one of our greatest legends, Dave Woodley, who passed away on the morning of May 21. He was an HMB member, Drum Major, Assistant Director, and the 9th Director of the University of Iowa Hawkeye Marching Band. Dave also led the marching bands at the University of Louisville and Indiana University during his c...

Mark as Played
October 13, 2022 66 mins

Down & Off Episode 3 comes to you from across the Atlantic, all the way from The Hague! John and Tim are delighted to be joined by Arlene & Andy Houk, who reminisce on their time in the "Golden Era" of the Hawkeye Marching Band (Andy's words) in the early Fry Era. They share their story of growing up in Ottumwa, joining the HMB, Andy joining the pep band in the old Field House, bowl trips and road trips, so m...

Mark as Played

Popular Podcasts

    I’m Jay Shetty host of On Purpose the worlds #1 Mental Health podcast and I’m so grateful you found us. I started this podcast 5 years ago to invite you into conversations and workshops that are designed to help make you happier, healthier and more healed. I believe that when you (yes you) feel seen, heard and understood you’re able to deal with relationship struggles, work challenges and life’s ups and downs with more ease and grace. I interview experts, celebrities, thought leaders and athletes so that we can grow our mindset, build better habits and uncover a side of them we’ve never seen before. New episodes every Monday and Friday. Your support means the world to me and I don’t take it for granted — click the follow button and leave a review to help us spread the love with On Purpose. I can’t wait for you to listen to your first or 500th episode!

    Stuff You Should Know

    If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.

    The Joe Rogan Experience

    The official podcast of comedian Joe Rogan.

    True Crime Tonight

    If you eat, sleep, and breathe true crime, TRUE CRIME TONIGHT is serving up your nightly fix. Five nights a week, KT STUDIOS & iHEART RADIO invite listeners to pull up a seat for an unfiltered look at the biggest cases making headlines, celebrity scandals, and the trials everyone is watching. With a mix of expert analysis, hot takes, and listener call-ins, TRUE CRIME TONIGHT goes beyond the headlines to uncover the twists, turns, and unanswered questions that keep us all obsessed—because, at TRUE CRIME TONIGHT, there’s a seat for everyone. Whether breaking down crime scene forensics, scrutinizing serial killers, or debating the most binge-worthy true crime docs, True Crime Tonight is the fresh, fast-paced, and slightly addictive home for true crime lovers.

    The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show

    The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show. Clay Travis and Buck Sexton tackle the biggest stories in news, politics and current events with intelligence and humor. From the border crisis, to the madness of cancel culture and far-left missteps, Clay and Buck guide listeners through the latest headlines and hot topics with fun and entertaining conversations and opinions.

Advertise With Us
Music, radio and podcasts, all free. Listen online or download the iHeart App.

Connect

© 2025 iHeartMedia, Inc.