It does not seem right UNI students are not utilized for men’s and women’s basketball games. Football games have the University of Northern Iowa marching band while basketball games have traveling performers such as the slam dunk team and the illusionists. Students need to be involved. 

While having the marching band perform would be loud and detrimental to the court, there is a way to have students participate in basketball halftimes. This method would also be cheaper and more inspiring than bringing halftime performers from across the nation.

One way students could be involved with halftime performances is having a battle of the bands. UNI students who are in a band could have their band battle another band at halftime. 

The crowd will choose the winner, and they will move on to play against another band. This goes on until the end of the year when a championship battle of the bands takes place during the halftime of the last home game. 

By doing this, bands would bring their friends to games to cheer them on while cheering the Panthers on to a victory.

Another way students could be involved with halftime performances is through talent shows during halftime. There would be different themes throughout the year. 

There would be categories such as magic, dance, singing, and athleticism. Winners would be selected by how much the crowd cheered for a participant. At the last home, the winners of the different themes could battle each other to be the ultimate winner. The crowd would be wowed by the impressiveness of the UNI students. 

There would be multiple students in these talent shows so they would bring more fans to the games. 

This would keep the crowd interested and build on the excitement of the Panther game.

By doing these two ideas during halftimes throughout the basketball season, students and fans would better appreciate the Northern Iowa student body. 

There would also be an increase in attendance due to the friends of the participants being brought to the game. 

The athletes would be celebrated on the court as would the talented UNI students who participate in these competitions. 

This is a great activity to bring different worlds together for the greater good of making a Northern Iowa sporting event more special to those attending it.