John LaVange, a finance major from Warren, Ohio, was the 61st drum major of the Ohio State Marching Band. LaVange twirled for five years prior to his time at Ohio State, beginning at Howland High School, where he was drum major for his junior and senior years. At Ohio State, LaVange spent his first year on the drum major training squad and his second as assistant drum major before earning the top spot for his junior and senior years.