Sam Thompson and Savanna Mitchell, both trumpet players in the band from 2020 to 2023, first met during summer band camp at UW-Madison. What began as casual conversations between practice sets quickly evolved into a deep connection rooted in their shared passion for music, school spirit, and performing in front of thousands of cheering fans at Camp Randall Stadium.

“We met in the trumpet section and instantly clicked,” said Savanna. “It felt like we were in sync from the first note.”

Their story reached a joyful milestone in October 2024, when Sam proposed to Savanna on the 50-yard line during the band’s iconic Fifth Quarter performance. With fellow band members playing “Varsity,” the moment was captured on video and has since gone viral, amassing over 1 million views and spreading the hashtag #BadgerBandLove across Instagram and TikTok.

The couple credits the UW Marching Band for not only giving them lifelong memories but also for bringing them together in a way neither expected.

“It’s more than just a band,” Sam said. “It’s a family. And for us, it became the start of forever.”

Their story has become a symbol of how college marching bands build lifelong bonds, with alumni from across the country sharing similar stories of friendship and romance formed on the field.

As the Badger Band continues to earn national accolades, stories like Sam and Savanna’s highlight the magic that happens off the field—proof that love can truly be found in the rhythm of the game.