When Mike Leckrone arrived on the Madison campus in the late summer of 1969, interest in the Marching Band was, unfortunately, at an all time low. The causes for that predicament were varied. Mike was to be the third director in three years (John Gates directed in 1968), the football team was on a 22-game losing streak and campuses all across the United States were experiencing a period of unrest and protest. Wearing a uniform and marching around in a military manner was not a popular activity among young people then and band enrollments everywhere were suffering. Nevertheless, Leckrone approached the task ahead of him with enthusiasm, energy and several new ideas. He introduced intense physical conditioning (he insisted that every prospective band member, veteran or newcomer, attend the Registration Week fundamental drills), a much more demanding marching stride ("Stop at the Top"), a new emphasis on showmanship, a new pre-game entrance ("The Run-on") and above all, he expected Marching Band "to be fun."

The first performance in 1969 was a salute to new Wisconsin Athletic Director, Elroy "Crazy Legs" Hirsch. The performance was fast-paced, varied and unpredictable, giving Badger fans a look at what to expect in the years to come. Said Leckrone, "I have always patterned my shows around the old Ed Sullivan Television Show. The most important thing the Sullivan Show had going for it was variety. If you didn't like an act that Ed introduced, you knew that in a minute or two, there would be something entirely different."

At the same time the Band was changing, the football team was turning around its fortunes as well. The Band soon learned that they were to have a mission ... the search for excellence. Leckrone ordered motion pictures to be taken of every game and scheduled viewing sessions in which he pointed out errors and inconsistencies in the Band's performances. This soon led to the publishing of "The Dummy List." This list was posted on the Band bulletin board following every game and listed each performer's error.

Leckrone also solved another long-standing Band Department problem during his first year when he organized a group that was to be called the Varsity Band. This group was formed solely for the purpose of providing music, spirit and enthusiasm at Wisconsin athletic events. This first group consisted of 27 men clad in classy red and white striped jackets; they were an immediate hit.