TALLAHASSEE, Florida -- It’s costing Florida A&M University a significant amount of money to have the Marching 100 sitting on the sidelines. It’s just not clear exactly how much less revenue FAMU has generated as a result of the popular band serving an indefinite suspension in the aftermath of the Nov. 19, 2011 hazing death of drum major Robert Champion.
Larry Robinson, FAMU’s interim president, told members of the Board of Trustees’ Budget and Finance Committee on Wednesday that in some cases, it’s easy to determine how much the band’s absence has cost the university. For example, he said, FAMU had to agree to a revised contract for last September’s Atlanta Classic football game, with FAMU’s guaranteed pay reduced by $150,000, from $400,000 to $250,000.
Attendance at the Florida Classic in November was almost half of what it normally is, and the university received about $150,000 less than it had in previous years.
Athletic Director Derek Horne does not attribute all of his financial woes to the absence of the band, but his department’s projected loss for the current fiscal year is now $2.2 million ...
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NOTE: If you are a lifelong Rattler fan or former Marching 100 member, you may want to burn yourself a CD of the 1952, 1964 and Super Bowl III performances of the '100rd. This rare footage is priceless, and this was my first time viewing and hearing these performances of the 1950 and 1960 era, respectively. Dr. William P. Foster came to FAMU in 1946 from Tuskegee Institute, and this 1952 performance by the Marching 100 may be the earliest video recording in public circulation.
Amazing -- the precision in marching and the musicianship of this 132 piece all-male Marching 100.
For you Rattler history buffs, the band size expanded to 250 strong around 1970; women became a part of the 100'rd in 1972; and future College Football Hall of Famer (2007), Coach William "Billy" Joe was a fullback/half back that played in Super Bowl III (January 12, 1969) with Joe Namath and the New York Jets. Who knew then that this World Champion, Billy Joe would later become head football coach of the FAMU Rattlers (1994-2004) in a highly successful 33-year coaching career.
For those with a trained ear for music, notice how the counter-melodies in the FAMU Alma Mater and the Florida Song are missing. The melodies -- carried by the baritone horn, french horns, and tenor saxophones were created in 1969 by University arrangers Mr. Richard Power; and Mr. Lindsey B. Sarjeant, currently an associate professor at FAMU and who serves as director of jazz
studies, director of jazz ensembles and arranger for the famous Marching “100”
Band, symphonic band and jazz ensemble. Back in 1971, Sarj had more musical talent and knowledge of music as a FAMU senior (music major), that most guys had receiving a Ph.D in music. His brilliant arrangements took the 100'rd to a whole new level, especially when the band expanded to 430+ members.
The Gulf Coast Offense, the Marching 100, Earl Holmes, Quinn Gray, Lindsey B. Sarjeant, Dr. Shelby Chipman and many, many others -- they are all connected into this great institution -- the Florida A&M University.
Did I mention that Dr. Shelby Chipman, without question, should be named the next leader of the Florida A&M University Marching 100? Dr. Chipman has ALL the qualities necessary to provide strong leadership, discipline, and teaching needed for the 2013 and beyond Marching 100 band program. No doubt, FAMU adequately prepared Dr. Chipman for the tremendous task ahead in returning the Marching 100 program to its former glory years of 1946 - 2010. You can trust Dr. Chipman with your daughter or son, and he will prepare them for a successful life. Like you, I patiently await for this selection of Dr. Chipman to be announced.
The FAMU Marching 100 is more than a band.
Many thanks to dat03c for sharing this rare footage of the Marching 100 from 1952 and 1964; Josue Sway for the 1969 Super Bowl III performance; and TAPEMASTEROFFICIAL for the 1989 video. This was a real treat.
It's a great day to be a FAMU Rattler!
(beepbeep)
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