Hawkeye Band honors Derek Phillips during emotional Cy-Hawk game

The Hawkeye Marching Band did it for Derek.

Just days after band member Derek Phillips collapsed and later died, the marching band took the field Saturday, Sept. 12, during the Cy-Hawk game for an emotional halftime tribute.

What we know about Iowa marching band member Derek Phillips’ death

The show, “50 Years of the Muppet Show,” was a routine Phillips helped design. Band members took shape and spelled out “Derek” across the field during the song “Rainbow Connection.” In a video shared on social media by KCCI, band members are seen fighting back tears while donning black ribbon in Phillips’ memory.

The Iowa band fought back tears as they performed in honor of their bandmate Derek Phillips, who died last weekend after collapsing from the heat at the Iowa football game.My heart breaks for him, his friends, and family. Powerful night. #HawkeyesVideo by @dpcoon1 https://t.co/2Y3qAKS2SF

— Scott Reister (@scottreister) September 13, 2026

Phillips died on Sept. 8 after being removed from life support. He went into cardiac arrest just before halftime during Iowa’s game on Sept. 5 against Northern Illinois.

Phillips led the mellophone section and was a member of the UI School of Music horn studio.

In a statement, the band said “Losing a HMB family member is one of the most difficult tragedies we will experience.”

The Hawkeye Marching Band will continue to honor Phillips and his legacy.

New ‘#DIFD’ stencil on Iowa band practice field honors Derek Phillips

His leadership position of the “H1 squad” will not be filled for the rest of the season, according to the band. At the Cy-Hawk game, the band sang “Alma Mater Iowa” in the south end zone, inviting fans to join because “each Hawkeye carries on thy spirit in his heart.”

The University of Iowa Hawkeye Marching Band’s field is now also a tribute to the late Derek Phillips.

A recently painted field stencil features a mellophone with “#DIFD” or “Do It for Derek,” a hashtag started by his family.

The Iowa Athletics Ground Crew organized the stencil, according to band director and associate director of the school of music Eric Bush.

Fellow Big Ten schools, the University of Nebraska and the University of Wisconsin-Madison, put their rivalries aside, as their marching bands wore gold ribbons on Saturday in honor of Phillips.

Big Ten bands rally around Hawkeyes after Derek Phillips’ death

Nebraska’s band even played “Amazing Grace” during their game against Bowling Green.

“The marching band family connects all programs no matter the logo or team and in times like these, we all feel the collective loss of a musician, friend and family member,” The Cornhusker Marching Band said in an Instagram post. “Our thoughts, love and support are with the Phillips family, Hawkeye Marching Band and the Colts Drum & Bugle Corps,”

Iowa held off Iowa State, 16-13, on Saturday inside Kinnick Stadium, a triumphant end to an emotional night.

Iowa City Press-Citizen reporter Liam Halawith and Des Moines Register reporter Mackenzie Meaney contributed to this article.

Jessica Rish is an entertainment, dining and education reporter for the Iowa City Press-Citizen. She can be reached at JRish@press-citizen.com or on X, formerly known as Twitter, at @rishjessica_

This article originally appeared on Iowa City Press-Citizen: Hawkeye Band honors Derek Phillips during emotional Cy-Hawk game

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