Meet Milo: 7-year-old Marching Illini super fan

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — The Marching Illini aims to capture the heart of Illinois fans no matter where you hear them play. But for one 7-year-old, he’s taken that passion to the next level.

Milo Neal has been following the band around the past five years, ever since his first game in October of 2019. Illinois hosted Wisconsin and won after a famous field goal no fan will ever forget.

But, Milo wasn’t interested in football. Derek Neal, his dad, said he had eyes for the band.

“He fell in love with it right there,” Derek said.

It’s a love story that has only grown over the years. Now, Milo marches next to the band at games, practices and every performance in between.

“Milo has become the Marching Illini mascot as you will,” Barry Houser, the Marching Illini director, joyfully explained.

Milo said his favorite song is low brass and right now, his favorite instrument is the trombone.

“I like the sound of it and the thing that you move,” the second-grader said.

It doesn’t stop there, this “bonus band member” has a unique connection with every single section.

“He has been my highlight of game day,” Caitlin Niesman, a senior in color guard, said. “I love having him march next to me.”

The two first met at Milo’s fourth birthday party in 2021. He invited a “mini band” to perform for the first time. Flash forward three years to fall 2024, Niesman organized a group to cheer him on at his Little League game in Champaign.

“For us, it’s so important to have the little kids support us and we love seeing that future generation,” she said. “For us to give back to Milo and his family in that way, meant a lot to us, his family and the band.”

Milo’s marching career is far from over. In his free time, he draws drill charts and diagrams of the band. He even arranges figurines in the same formations as the Marching Illini on the field.

Houser is ready for Milo to join the group full-time!

“If he doesn’t come to the University of Illinois and be in the Marching Illini I’m going to be furious!” he joked.

But on a serious note, Houser hopes Milo’s love and appreciation of the band stays with him for life.

In the meantime, Milo will keep making musical memories with the group his family is forever thankful for.

“It’s been incredible how they’ve welcomed him in as one of their own,” Derek said.

A clip of Milo is even being used in the Saturday Big Ten Football intro. Derek could not emphasize enough how thankful he is for the band to bring Milo under its wing as they have the last several years.

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