Many people do not know is how the Wabash Cannonball became an integral part of Wildcat athletics. In the fall of 1969 the department of music burnt down. Every piece of music in the building was destroyed. The only thing that was salvaged was what was in the band director's brief case. That included a piece of music titled the Wabash Cannonball. With an upcoming football game and no music, that left only one thing to do. The band members played the song loud and often.