The Pride of Athens Golden Eagles Marching Band celebrated a pivotal figure in their storied history on Monday, Nov. 11, dedicating their practice field to longtime band director Dan Havely — who served in the role from 1966 to 2000.

“It’s impossible for me to share how grateful I am for this,” Havely said. “I’m at a loss of words on how to adequately describe my feelings. I just want to thank everyone who came out to support us, and support the band. I really do appreciate this, it’s something that will stick with me for the rest of my life.”

The heartfelt tribute ceremony drew scores of attendees to the field beside Athens High School, many of which included former band members who Havely helped shape and mold. Havely’s enduring legacy was ever present during the event, as some of his former players lined up with members of the current Golden Eagles Marching Band to ring in the milestone.

“This is a huge day for us to celebrate not only our new band tower, but to celebrate Mr. Dan Havely,” Tyler Parker, current band director for the Pride of Athens Golden Eagles Marching Band, said. “We unanimously felt that it was very fitting to dedicate this rehearsal field to Havely in honor of what he did for this band program for so many years. Our goal is set for us already, and it’s rooted in tradition here for what Mr. Havely did for this program. We are just trying to live up to the legacy he had here.”

As Athens City Schools Superintendent Beth Patton unveiled the plaque, which will stand in the new band tower, the band took to the newly christened Havely Field to perform the school’s fight song that Havely was responsible for instituting.

“He has been more than a band director, he has served as a mentor and source of inspiration, shaping generations of Golden Eagles musicians,” Patton, who played alto saxophone under Havely’s guidance when she attended AHS, said. “The practices, pep rallies, parades, Camp Alpine, Sam Hill are all great memories because of the culture of expectation Mr. Havely instilled in all of us. Havely Field will serve as a lasting reminder of the hard work and heart that he has poured into this program over the years.”

During the ceremony, Havely made sure to mention the band directors who preceded him — noting how none of his achievements would have been possible without them.

Havely was visibly moved by the immense outpouring of love, a simple reciprocation of the years of love he put into the program from the ‘60s, ‘70s, ‘80s, ‘90s and into the 2000s.

As the ceremony concluded, Havely was swiftly surrounded by former band members, spanning decades in between — like current city councilwoman Dana Henry — who returned to pay tribute to their highly revered mentor.