“One thing I wanted to do right away was to eliminate the trappings of an ‘imperial’ Presidency, so even before being sworn in, I asked Al Haig to tell the Marine band that I didn’t want to hear ‘Hail to the Chief’ or ‘Ruffles and Flourishes’; the ‘Michigan Fight Song’ would suffice.” This quote from Gerald R. Ford in “A Time to Heal” reveals a unique presidential preference that swapped the traditional “Hail To The Chief Song” and ceremonial marches for a spirited university fight song. President Ford’s administration marked a departure from the usual pomp and circumstance, favoring the energetic “Michigan Fight Song,” also known as “The Victors.”
Throughout his time in office, President Ford’s advance team diligently ensured that whenever a band was present at an event, they were prepared to strike up “The Victors.” This detail, noted in the Michael Raoul-Duval Papers, underscores the commitment to this personal preference, even in official settings.
Document detail highlighting instruction to play "The Victors" at events.
This practice extended beyond domestic events and into the realm of foreign diplomacy. In a historic visit in November 1974, Ford became the first sitting U.S. President to visit Japan, and also the first to meet Emperor Hirohito after World War II. Richard Norton Smith, in An Ordinary Man, captured the poignant and perhaps unusual atmosphere of this meeting: “One could only guess at the emotions these wartime enemies felt as their respective national anthems were followed by a sprightly rendition of the University of Michigan fight song, ‘Hail to the Victors.’” The familiar, upbeat tune of a university fight song replaced the expected “hail to the chief song” in a moment of international significance.
Even in mourning, President Ford’s connection to “The Victors” remained. During the funeral ceremonies following his death in 2006, the University of Michigan’s marching band paid a musical tribute. As his remains arrived in Grand Rapids, his final resting place at his Presidential Museum, the band played “The Victors” alongside Michigan’s alma mater, “The Yellow and Blue.”
Congressional tribute book cover for Gerald R. Ford's memorial.
Arrival ceremony at Gerald R. Ford International Airport, showing military personnel and honor guard.
Military personnel in dress uniform during arrival ceremony at Gerald R. Ford International Airport.
President Ford’s choice to forgo “Hail to the Chief” in favor of the “Michigan Fight Song” offers a glimpse into his desire to connect with people on a more personal level and to move away from the perceived grandeur of the presidency. His preference ensured that “The Victors,” a song of energy and enthusiasm, became an unexpected yet defining element of his presidential soundtrack, echoing from state events to solemn farewells.
