Iowa marching band announces multiple tributes in honor of deceased member Derek Phillips during game vs. Iowa State
· Yahoo Sports
The Iowa Hawkeyes will honor the memory of deceased marching-band member Derek Phillips in multiple ways during the team's game against Iowa State on Saturday. In addition to holding a moment of silence for Phillips, the band will performa a special halftime show that Phillips helped prepare during the contest.
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To further honor Phillips' memory, the Iowa marching band announced it would keep the "leader position of the H1 squad" empty for the rest of the year.
We share our deepest thanks for the overwhelming support shown to our HMB family over the last few days. This Saturday, the HMB, @uiowa, and @TheIowaHawkeyes will honor Derek's memory in several ways: pic.twitter.com/bAibuZlE2l
— Hawkeye Marching Band (@HawkeyeBand) September 10, 2026
Band and staff members will pin a black ribbon to their shirts and uniforms during Saturday's game as well.
Phillips died Tuesday, days after sustaining "sudden cardiac arrest" while on the field Saturday during Iowa's 40-0 win over Northern Illinois. Phillips collapsed on the field shortly before halftime and was taken to a local hospital. Days later, his family announced the damage to Phillips' brain was too severe and that he would be taken off life support.
Iowa's band did not perform at halftime during the contest due to extreme heat. The temperature was around 90 degrees when the game started.
During halftime Saturday, Iowa's marching band will perform the show it was initially supposed to perform vs. Northern Illinois. That program — which is titled "50 Years of The Muppet Show" — was prepared, in part, by Phillips. In honor of Phillips, the marching band will spell out "Derek" on the field during its performance of "Rainbow Connection."