The 2026 James E. Armstrong Award: Dr. Sam Sanchez '98, '06 M.A.

For his distinguished service to the University through his dedication and creativity as a leader of the Notre Dame Band, Dr. Sam Sanchez ’98, ’06 M.A. was recognized with the 2026 James E. Armstrong Award.

As the Associate Director of the University of Notre Dame Band, Sanchez has designed all of the marching shows for the Notre Dame Band for the last 26 years. He designed the pregame “Leprechaun” formation, the “Cross and Anchors” formation for the Congregation of Holy Cross, and the “Monogram ND” formation performed at the end of every halftime show. Sanchez also shares the conducting responsibilities for the Notre Dame concert bands and basketball bands, serves as the Bandlink advisor, and leads the flute choir, percussion ensemble, and drumline.

Sanchez served three terms on the College Band Directors National Association Committee for Athletic Bands. He has served as an adjudicator/clinician for Bowl Games of America and the New Zealand Concert Band Association’s National Festival, and he has also worked internationally with the Artane Band from Dublin, Ireland. He enjoys supporting Notre Dame women’s and men’s basketball and has led the Irish pep bands at several women’s basketball Final Fours and during the team’s 2018 NCAA Championship run.

He is a Double Domer with a Bachelor of Arts in Music (1998) and a Master of Arts in Musicology (2006). He also holds a Doctor of Musical Arts in Music Education (2022) from Boston University. He is a recipient of Notre Dame’s Outstanding Band Member Award, presented during his senior year in the Notre Dame Band.

During his time as a student at Notre Dame, Sanchez was influenced by many outstanding faculty and staff who sought to teach students to be great in the classroom and how to be great at life. He continues to dedicate his career to the mission of helping Notre Dame students develop in heart, mind, and spirit.

“I was appreciative, humbled, teary-eyed, and just overwhelmed with surprise and joy when I was notified by Dolly Duffy, our amazing Alumni Association leader! I know this award honors my work as a Notre Dame alumnus and employee, but it is the relationships with my fellow alumni and our Notre Dame family that I cherish the most. May God continue to bless and watch over Our Lady’s University!”