Ohio University’s Marching 110 alumni reflect on OHIO experience

The Ohio University Marching 110 celebrates a tradition more than 50 years strong. The Marching 110’s name originally reflected the initial number of members in the band. Today, “110” represents the 110-percent effort expected from all 245 band members.

The Marching 110 have performed in more than 40 NFL halftime shows, at New York City’s Carnegie Hall, in two Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parades, and internationally in Canada, Ireland, France and Italy.

Four of the band’s recent alumni wrote to ohiotoday|news via email and reflected on their experience as a Marching 110 member and also on how it shaped their careers and who they are today. An excerpted interview from these alumni follows.

Kyle Likens, BSC ’14
After graduating from OHIO, Likens completed four years in the Army as First Lieutenant.

What did being a part of the Marching 110 mean to you?

Jessica (Kenny) Graham, BSCSD ’15: When I came to college, I knew I wanted to do marching band to keep busy and make friends. It was an outlet to completely immerse myself in.

Kyle Likens, BSC ’14: I found out about OHIO because of the 110 when my band director from high school encouraged me to look into it. I was hooked. Because of the band, I got the full experience that people should have when they decide to go to college.

Chadwick “Chad” Holcomb, BA ’13: My band director from high school was an alumnus of the 110 and encouraged me to try out. As a freshman you go to college knowing little to no one, but before the year even started, I already had 200 friends because of the 110.

Hillary Carder, BSCFS ’17: Music is huge in my family. I went to an OHIO football game, and I saw the 110 perform and fell in love. I knew I wanted to go to OHIO, and joining the marching band was always in the back of my mind. When I came to college I did the training week and fell in the love with band.

Jessica Graham, BSCSD ’15, and husband Shaun Graham, BSTEM ’14. The Grahams currently reside in Louisville, Kentucky.

What is your fondest memory of being a part of the Marching 110?

Graham: Homecoming is the biggest week out of the year for the 110. That time of year rolls around and I still feel like I should be practicing. When you’re in band, they refer to it as Christmas. We always looked forward to “Christmas” every October, and I still do today.

Likens: I love when people say they enjoyed the halftime performance and that we made their weekend or Thursday night. The highlight was seeing that everyone enjoyed coming to see us. I will never forget that feeling after the first game I performed.

Holcomb: All of the traveling was incredible. My senior year was when OHIO went to the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl in Boise, Idaho. It was the first bowl game OHIO won, and that was a great experience.

Carder: Every performance was an amazing moment, but being able to perform in front of the Eiffel Tower and at Disneyland Paris is still surreal. There was a French family who heard about us beforehand, and their children came, made signs for us, and posed [for photos] with our members. That recognition is quite the memory.

Hillary Carder, BSCFS ’17
Carder works in Troy, Ohio, as a family advocate at the Kids Learning Place.

How are you applying some of the things you learned at OHIO to your current career?

Graham: Number one is time management. You had to learn that right off the bat in the 110. It was a balance to keep up with school and give your weekends away. This was something that translated into life after college, especially in graduate school. It was easier for me because of my background. It taught me to take pride in what I do.

Likens: The band instilled in me [that] you must be better than the best and you must give 110 percent all the time. This stands by me throughout my Army career and my personal life.

Holcomb: The band taught me [that] to be early is to be on time, to be on time is to be late and to be late is to be left behind. It was drilled into me because of the band. To me, that all comes down to dedication.

Carder: One thing the band taught me is “leave it.” If you had a bad day, whatever happened stays in the classroom, at home, or on the field. You walk out there and perform each time like it’s your last.

Chad Holcomb, BA ’13
Chad currently resides in Columbus, Ohio, and is an investigator for the Ohio Attorney General’s office.

What has been your biggest accomplishment since graduation?

Graham: Moving on to graduate school and accepting a recent offer for an externship in audiology with Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center.

Likens: Since graduating, I’ve completed four years in the Army. It’s most important to me that my soldiers understand that 110 motto, to do everything [with] 110-percent [effort].

Holcomb: I went to the Columbus Police Academy two years ago. It was difficult, but a lot of what I gained from the 110 helped me get through with discipline and respect.

Carder: Leaving straight from college and landing an internship that turned into my full-time job helping families who are within [U.S. federal] poverty guidelines. I’m proud of what I do, and I’m lucky everyday that I get to help people.

What does being a Bobcat mean to you?

Graham: I will always be a Bobcat no matter where I go in life.

Likens: Being a Bobcat is having pride in the University and the state of Ohio. I had a huge love for Athens and the University, but now it’s the entire state and what it stands for. No matter where you go, there’s always a Bobcat around.

Holcomb: It’s an incredible feeling knowing that wherever you go, people will recognize OHIO with respect.

Carder: It means everything to me. The pride I have for OHIO leaves me with no words. I think about OHIO and the band and I get the chills. Being in the band and having a degree from OHIO has been the greatest accomplishment of my life.

What advice would you give to your college-aged self?

Graham: I would tell myself to relax. Looking back, I wish I spent more time soaking in the Athens atmosphere. I want students to take a breath and take it all in before it flies by.

Likens: I would have told myself to enjoy more in the moment and take it day by day. You’ll miss that magical place that is Athens. Enjoy it while you can, and don’t take anything for granted, it’ll fly by.

Holcomb: Enjoy college. Live it up and enjoy seeing your friends every day. Also, don’t be afraid to seek out what you’re passionate about.

Carder: Take a deep breath, it all works out. My biggest fear was graduating and not getting a job or not really loving what I would do. It will be okay. Everything works itself out.