Buckeyes playoff run means more time for Dover grad as Head Drum Major
DOVER – The Ohio State Buckeyes football team has extended their season with a pair wins in the College Football Playoffs. That has also extended the time for Dover High graduate Clayton Callender to lead the Ohio State University Marching Band as Head Drum Major.
The university junior is in his second and final year leading the band. He is riding the roller coaster of Buckeyes football over the last couple of months, with a home loss to Michigan, a home playoff win over Tennessee and a Rose Bowl win over Number 1 Oregon.
“As an Ohio State drum major, there are really two things you want to check off the list, and that is a home Michigan game where you get to do pregame and in that atmosphere, and a Rose Bowl,” he said. “So now that I’ve got to do both those things this year, it’s really kind of complete everything I wanted to do.”
Callender was on WJER’s Sports Talk Saturday, Jan. 4, talking about his final few games as drum major. https://youtu.be/rkAI_joq1NM
“It is bittersweet because this is what I’ve always worked for, and I love doing it, but it’s time for somebody else to get a chance. I’ve held this position for as long as you can, for as long as your eligibility says you can, so it’s time for somebody else to be able to live out their dream like I have and get to experience all the things that I’ve experienced. I’m good with it. I’ve done everything that I wanted to do, accomplished everything I wanted to accomplish, so I have no bad feelings about it being the end.”
He is always happy to hear the name of his hometown announced. It was especially rewarding when fellow Dover grad and Olympic Gold Medalist swimmer Hunter Armstrong attended the band’s Skull Session before the Michigan game. Both Buckeyes were announced as Dover products.
“I love any chance I get to represent this county, this city that has given me so much. It’s where I grew up. It’s where my family is from. I always love getting to represent this town.”
Callender will lead the Ohio State Marching Band onto the field Friday night for the Cotton Bowl against Texas. If they win, the Buckeyes will play for the National Championship on January 20th in Atlanta.