TCNJ

37 Class Notes WINTER 2024 Philadelphia spirit At Eagles games and in the community, Mylin Batipps fervently drums up support for his city. PETER MURPHY O nce the announcer declared, "Please welcome the Eagles drumline!" the crowd at Lincoln Financial Field roared, and a procession of about 30 drumline members sprang into motion in the end zone. Swaying from side to side and skillfully banging their drumsticks, the snare drum players set the tempo as the tenor drummers added flair to the rhythmic pattern. The cymbalists twisted their bodies to the beat, and amped up the crowd with loud clashes. The line of bass drummers moved their hips as they kept the drumline's beat. Among the bass drummers was Mylin Batipps '15. He moved in unison and flashed a big smile during the three-minute routine, one of the many he's played since joining the official Philadelphia Eagles drumline in 2022. It was a rainy Sunday afternoon in November, but that didn't stop the Philadelphia Eagles from scoring a win against the Buffalo Bills — nor did it stop the drumline from keeping the team and fans in high spirits. Batipps describes the experience of playing at Eagles home games as "high energy." "It's the energy we pound into our drums, multiplied by the energy from the fans, that creates this almost indescribable environment. There's no feeling like it," Batipps says. It had always been Batipps' dream to play for the Eagles drumline, so when a friend told him about auditions, he signed up with no hesitation. The process was surreal. "My first memory of the Eagles drumline was when I was in high school, so to put myself out there for the opportunity years later was a major moment. It all came to be," says Batipps, who inherited his lifelong Eagles fandom from his parents. Now the football team helps him hone one of his lifelong passions. " I'm smiling from ear to ear and hitting the drum as hard as I can. " Batipps started his formal percussion education in middle school, playing as part of a concert band and an orchestra. His innate rhythm and desire to perfect the craft kept him going. In high school, he joined the march- ing band and participated in the indoor drumline program. He learned about the power of the field, being able to move while playing an instrument to better connect with a crowd. Though he majored in journalism at TCNJ and spent most of his time on his other pursuit — writing — the drums were still on his mind. During his junior year, he jumped at the opportunity to help form a TCNJ pep band, where he performed with classmates at football games and club events. "The TCNJ community reignited my passion for drumline again," Batipps says. Now in his second year, Batipps has learned how to channel his Eagles pride into energy for the audience. The drumline practices two to three times a month, and Mylin Batipps performs at the Unified Sports Complex in Downingtown, Pennsylvania. Batipps says he always had a natural talent for rhythm. Continued on next page

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