In all fairness, Tracz never framed the award this way, nor did he want it framed this way. Any quotes about "best band in the nation" or "national champion" of bands came from university marketing and PR people. If Tracz's goal was to be the best in the nation, he would cut half the band at auditions, making them roughly the size of Ohio State's. But that isn't his goal or educational philosophy.
And yes, most of the people who know him well, or have spent time working with him hold him in high regard because they understand his work ethic and contribution to the university - which goes well beyond the marching band.
He was responsible for founding and securing all large donations for the Marching Pride scholarship endowment, which currently serves over 300 students (most of them non-majors). On a yearly basis he travels, unpaid, to between 20-25 Kansas high schools as a guest clinician, recruiting students looking to major in a variety of subjects, but who also want to perform in an ensemble. The clinics, camps, and festivals that he coordinates bring several thousand students to the campus every year. He does what he does with the smallest staff and budget in the Big 12 (and one of the smallest among P5 schools).
He is the only head director of bands in the Big 12, and one of very few within the ranks of D-I universities, to direct the marching band. His primary responsibilities include teaching undergraduate and graduate courses in music education, directing k-state's top concert ensemble (and overseeing many others), coordinating the graduate program in music education, and acting as faculty advisor to the majority of master's and doctoral candidates within the department of music.
I realize most on this board don't really care about the band or Tracz. But as someone who's known him for many years (and served on his staff) I felt it might be good to have some perspective.... in case he ends up getting called out by Bill O'Reilly again.
Complete change of subject but since the start of this thread was about the Sudler Trophy, I want to talk about how I recently discovered that how Dr. Tracz framed the Sudler Trophy was a damn lie, it isn't anything close to anything having to do with having the best band.