Pride of Broken Arrow director leaves lasting legacy

BROKEN ARROW, Okla. — After just over three decades, the director of the Pride of Broken Arrow is carrying a new tune — he's going to oversee the district's fine arts department.

Darrin Davis leaves a legacy that put the Pride of Broken Arrow in the national spotlight.

Creating memories for thousands of Broken Arrow students is what leading the Pride of Broken Arrow has always been about.

"What you remember the most are not the trophies, the plaques, the achievements, it's the memories of the relationships that I made with my friends and teachers, and I feel like that's something we've carried through in those 31 years," Davis said.

His journey with the Pride of Broken Arrow started when he was in high school. The band was well known then.

"I grew up in Broken Arrow, I was a band student, my band teacher inspired me to pursue a career in music, so for 31 years, the only place I've ever taught is the school that meant the most to me," Davis said.

This is a picture from a band competition in 1994. That school year is when he was named the director of bands. Stefanie Cottrell and Justin Rosser were drum majors that year, also seen in the picture.

"We got to be part of his beginning at Broken Arrow High School as a director," Justin said.

"Our name has become famous around the nation for our band program, that's pretty neat to see," Stefanie said.

In a full circle moment, both are teaching music alongside their mentor, one that paved the way for them to continue his legacy.

"He has just taken this program to a new standard of excellence and I think even his predecessors would agree, when I say, it's an uncharted territory for any high school band in the country, the success they've had and the recognition they get," Justin said. "So it's nice to watch him achieve all of those things with all of those students."

Achievements like this one in 2006 when the Pride of Broken Arrow won their first Grand National Championship. They were also grand national champions in 2011, 2015 and 2021.

"Each of those performances at grand nationals have been truly special and memorable," Davis said. "To see the accomplishment in the kids in what has been considered some of the best marching band shows of all time."

Hundreds of performances, thousands of students and countless memories makes the new chapter bittersweet, but Davis says he's looking at the big picture.

"The good news is I'm not going anywhere," Davis said. "Not only do I get to hopefully have an impact on the band students, but a bigger impact on our fine arts from kindergarten to our seniors."

His final appearance as the director of the Pride of Broken Arrow is Saturday, May 18 at the Rooster Days Parade.