ASU provost leads marching band in game day performance

By Lacy Chaffee, ASU News
October 26, 2025

Arizona State University Executive Vice President and University Provost Nancy Gonzales experienced a unique perspective at Saturday’s football game — as conductor of “The Star-Spangled Banner” with the Sun Devil Marching Band.

“Every game day is special, but today was extra special because we had our provost Dr. Nancy Gonzales on the ladder, conducting the national anthem,” said Jason Caslor, associate professor and director of bands. “Adding a layer of pride, she was actually a member of this band when she attended ASU!”

An Arizona native and ASU alumna, Gonzales received her bachelor’s degree in psychology from ASU. While a student, she played trumpet in the Sun Devil Marching Band under the direction of Robert C. “Coach” Fleming.

After ASU, Gonzales attended the University of Washington for a master’s and doctorate degree, and then Stanford University as a clinical intern and postdoctoral fellow. As ASU’s chief academic officer, Gonzales oversees the university’s academic mission across its 19 interdisciplinary colleges and schools, positioning ASU as one of the largest and most innovative Research I institutions in the country.

“This is a perk of being the university provost that I never imagined!” Gonzales said. “I mentioned that I had played in the marching band, and I got invited to help lead them in the national anthem.”

More than 350 ASU students participate in the Sun Devil Marching Band, representing more than 100 different majors.

“I’m really so proud of their dedication and the way they come together as a massive team representing a wide range of colleges and disciplines at ASU,” Gonzales said.

This story originally appeared on ASU News.