Averee Toft
Averee Toft
Grand Junction! It’s gameday!
This is Colorado Mesa head drum major Averee Toft ready to take on this week’s opponent. You may have seen me around campus working a bunch of jobs, but I’m best known for leading the Maverick Stampede into action and putting on a show for all of you, the best fan base in the world.
Grand Junction is my home. CMU gave me a great reason to stay longer and find my passion majoring in psychology. Although I graduate this spring, my heart beats to the rhythm of the Maverick Stampede. Right now, I’m living out this dream, leading CMU’s largest student organization as its top drum major. Come with me as we walk the steps through a CMU game day.
Game day for me starts early. While fans might just see the band’s big moments at kickoff, halftime and key game plays, the day begins hours before the stands even start to fill. My morning kicks off at the Stampede Center, where I go over every detail with my team to ensure that all the gear is packed and our music is reviewed. Once everything is handled at home base, the Stampede and I go into a two-hour rehearsal to make sure our halftime performance is flawless and our sound is polished.
Then the energy completely shifts to tighten up all aspects of the band.
After the rehearsal, the band suits up and prepares for our first performance of the day in the CMU Plaza. Take this as a wakeup call and come join us — students, faculty, families and community members — as we line up. The band fills the air with music and sets the tone for what’s to come at Stocker Stadium.
Then comes one of my favorite parts. During our “stampede” to Stocker, we receive a police escort straight across North Avenue and 12th Street. Traffic stops. The band moves in unison. It’s a small detail to a big day, but I look forward to it every Saturday. Plus, it’s a signal that game day has begun.
Once we cross the busy intersection, the band and I know it’s showtime. Our music booms, our flags wave and I lead it all from the front.
Hyping up our Mavericks is one of my favorite things to do. But my job doesn’t stop when the game kicks off; instead it gets more challenging and I must stay on my toes ready for our cues from the football team. As soon as the ball is first snapped, I sit with my band and read the flow of the game to make sure I call the right songs for the right moments. When the offense is rolling, or the defense makes a big stop, it is on me to make sure our band responds accordingly for all to hear.
When the final whistle blows, we put on a grand finale. I gather my team together and we march as one back to the Stampede Center — usually in celebration — especially when the crowd cheers along with us. There, in a quieter moment, we close the day by playing a special tune. It’s something reserved just for the band. It’s a tradition, a reflection and a reminder that this isn’t just a performance. It’s family.
The Maverick Stampede isn’t just background music on Saturdays. It is something much, much more. My band and I work tirelessly to put up a powerful performance that shapes the entire gameday atmosphere.
So, Grand Junction, the next time you’re in the stands at Stocker Stadium, pull out your earplugs, turn your heads and listen closely. Listen to the strength of the brass, the drums of thunder and the crowd come alive and you will know you are in the right place. Dear readers of The Daily Sentinel, open your ears to the heartbeat of the Mavericks and come out to support the Stampede alongside your favorite football team today at 6 p.m.
Averee Toft
Chance of Rain: 100%
Sunrise: 07:19:25 AM
Sunset: 06:42:03 PM
Humidity: 92%
Wind: E @ 7 mph
UV Index: 0 Low
Rain likely. Low 56F. Winds E at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 100%. Rainfall near a quarter of an inch. Locally heavy rainfall possible.
Chance of Rain: 99%
Sunrise: 07:20:25 AM
Sunset: 06:40:32 PM
Humidity: 85%
Wind: SSE @ 8 mph
UV Index: 4 Moderate
Scattered thunderstorms, especially overnight. Low 49F. Winds ESE at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 60%.
Chance of Rain: 15%
Sunrise: 07:21:25 AM
Sunset: 06:39:02 PM
Humidity: 44%
Wind: NW @ 9 mph
UV Index: 5 Moderate
Clear to partly cloudy. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 46F. Winds ENE at 10 to 15 mph.
Chance of Rain: 49%
Sunrise: 07:22:25 AM
Sunset: 06:37:33 PM
Humidity: 58%
Wind: SSE @ 11 mph
UV Index: 5 Moderate
Cloudy with occasional rain showers. Low 53F. Winds E at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 50%.
Chance of Rain: 33%
Sunrise: 07:23:26 AM
Sunset: 06:36:05 PM
Humidity: 61%
Wind: S @ 15 mph
UV Index: 5 Moderate
A mostly clear sky. Low 52F. Winds E at 10 to 15 mph.
Chance of Rain: 32%
Sunrise: 07:24:27 AM
Sunset: 06:34:38 PM
Humidity: 61%
Wind: S @ 15 mph
UV Index: 5 Moderate
Mostly clear skies. Low around 45F. Winds ENE at 5 to 10 mph.
Chance of Rain: 24%
Sunrise: 07:25:28 AM
Sunset: 06:33:11 PM
Humidity: 59%
Wind: SW @ 11 mph
UV Index: 5 Moderate
A mostly clear sky. Low 39F. Winds ENE at 5 to 10 mph.
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