Thanks to the help of other schools, Vandegrift placed third overall in the 2025 State Marching Band competition.
SAN ANTONIO — Despite their tractor-trailer carrying their instruments getting hit by a train just hours before prelim competition Monday, the Vandegrift High School marching band was still able to bring home some hardware at the Alamodome.
On Monday around 2:40 p.m. near Carolina Street and Hoefgen Avenue, the band’s tractor-trailer was hit by a train hours before the Austin high school’s preliminary competition later that day.
The collision happened less than a mile from the Alamodome, the site of the UIL State Marching Band Contest. Students were at the Alamodome at the time of the accident.
Leander ISD told our sister station KVUE that other schools, including San Antonio’s Reagan High School, offered to lend their own instruments to help the Vandegrift marching band compete. The Austin high school won the 6A competition in 2022 and 2023.
Vandegrift placed third in preliminaries just hours after hearing their equipment trailer was involved in the crash.
The 6A finals took place on Tuesday, and thanks to the help of other schools, Vandegrift added a bronze medal to their trophy case. They placed third overall in the competition.
“We couldn’t be prouder of the hard work, dedication, and passion our students have shown every day,” the band shared on Instagram.
Flower Mound High School from Lewisville ISD took home first place, while Hebron High School, also part of Lewisville ISD, scored silver.
The team who helped Vandegrift, Reagan High School, placed seventh.
The state contest runs from Nov. 3-5 and Nov. 10-12, with the Alamodome hosting championships for all UIL levels over the course of those six days.