A pictorial history of the 2007 FAMU Marching 100

2007 FAMU Marching 100 - A pictorial history of innovation and perfection.

In Concert: Julian "Cannonball" Adderley and Nat Adderley

The Florida A&M University legacy continues...but let us not forget two musical trailblazing Rattler giants in Julian "Cannonball Adderley and Nat Adderley.

Straight No Chaser, Julian "Cannonball Adderley and Nat Adderley


Mercy! Mercy! Mercy! - Joe Zawinul's tune played by the Cannonball Adderley Quintet. Slideshow.

Cannonball Adderley - Work Song - Jazz Scene USA


Cannonball Adderley - Jive Samba - Jazz Scene USA

Cannonball Adderley Sextet - Jazz 625 - Poor Butterfly

It's official: Joe Taylor signs to coach FAMU

Photo: New Florida A&M University Head Football Coach Joe Taylor is 3rd winningest coach in FCS.

by beepbeep

What we knew last evening regarding the historic signing of future College Football Hall of Fame inductee Joe Taylor, has been confirmed Sunday evening by the man himself. Taylor indicated in a conversation with the Newport News Daily Press newspaper that he has signed his Florida A&M University contract today, to become head football coach of the Rattlers program.

FAMU issued an official press release to the Associated Press this evening that announced the hiring of Taylor. Florida A&M President James Ammons and new athletic director Bill Hayes will introduce Coach Taylor on Monday to the local press and Rattlers community.

Taylor said that the many positives regarding FAMU's program went into his decision to select the Rattlers over Western Carolina University. Both were simultaneously seeking his services as head coach last week.

MEAC/SWAC Sports Main Street is very pleased with this selection for Florida A&M University, but more importantly it keeps this talented hall of fame coach in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference to continue to help build our conference supremacy. In the end, FAMU got the best coach in the market and that's all that matters. He was the top choice.

No one can debate the point that the ice is colder at Florida A&M University for Joe Taylor.
Welcome, Coach Taylor to the Hill and thank you Dr. James Ammons and Administration for the exceptional work in the hiring a superb new football coach.

Let's get this party started--Go Rattlers!

READ THE ENTIRE ARTICLE BY CLICKING OUR BLOG TITLE ABOVE.

The Florida A&M University Marching 100

The Florida A&M University Marching 100 in review

Happy New Year Mighty Rattlers!

Florida A&M University Marching 100 - Circa 2007



Florida A&M University Marching 100--- Circa 2001



Florida A&M University Marching 100---Circa 1987



FAMU Marching 100 - Circa 2007




FAMU Marching 100---Circa 1988



FAMU Marching 100---Circa 2007



FAMU Marching 100 - Circa 2002



FAMU Marching 100 - Circa 1995



FAMU Marching 100 - Circa 1989



FAMU Marching 100 - Circa 2007

2007 Florida Classic: Battle of the Bands - FAMU vs. BCU

Florida A&M University Marching 100

Florida Classic Halftime FAMU 2007


Bethune Cookman University Wildcats

Florida Classic Halftime BCU 2007


Florida A&M University Marching 100 - Concert Selection


Bethune Cookman University Wildcats - Concert Selection


Florida A&M University Marching 100



Bethune Cookman University Wildcats



Florida A&M University Marching 100

PBS Florida Crossroads: The Making of the Band, The FAMU Marching 100

The Florida A&M University "Marching 100” was featured on PBS’s Florida Crossroads television show on October 30, November 1, and November 4, 2007, which aired on PBS and other public, educational and government channels throughout the State of Florida. The 30-minute documentary, "The Making of the Band: The FAMU "Marching 100," focused on the members of the Marching 100, who spoke candidly about what it takes to be a part of the world renowned tradition.

For your pleasure and enjoyment, the entire program is provided below in a sequence of three parts of the program. Dr. Julian E. White, director of bands and chairman of the Florida A&M University Department of Music, shares impartial insight to the internal workings of this 61 year old institution, which was created by Dr. William P. Foster. You don't want to miss watching this straightforward documentary of the Florida A&M University Marching 100. Enjoy!

Part I: PBS Documentary, "The Making of the Band: The FAMU Marching 100"


Part II: PBS Documentary, "The Making of the Band: The FAMU Marching 100"


Part III: PBS Documentary, "The Making of the Band: The FAMU Marching 100"

Circle City Classic: Dome showcase has launched stars

Photo: FAMU Rattlers expects a tight game with WSSU Rams in the 2007 Circle City Classic.

Colts' Mathis vividly recalls game

By Jeff Rabjohns, Indy Star

The key moment in turning the Circle City Classic into a reality came in the early 1980s, when legendary Grambling coach Eddie Robinson agreed to bring his team here.
Robinson, on his way to breaking Bear Bryant's coaching victories record, had star power and gave the game instant credibility.

Robinson, who finished with 408 wins, had one stipulation: Grambling got to pick its opponent for the inaugural Classic in 1984.

"They picked Mississippi Valley State," recalled Classic executive George Pillow. "I guess they thought they'd come up here, beat them, collect their payday and go home. But Mississippi Valley beat them.

"Mississippi Valley? I'd never heard of the school."

Robinson's decision brought one of the greatest football players in history to Indianapolis before he was famous. Mississippi Valley stunned Grambling 48-36 behind 174 yards receiving and two touchdowns from Jerry Rice.

The Classic will be played at the RCA Dome for the final time Saturday, closing a run of 24 consecutive falls of hosting a contest between two historically black colleges. The game moves to Lucas Oil Stadium next season, and might showcase future NFL stars there as well.

Its run at the Dome certainly did.

Jerry Rice, Steve McNair, Hugh Douglas, Erik Williams and Robert Mathis, who helped the Colts win the Super Bowl in February, are just some of the players the Classic brought to the Dome.

"It lets you know there's a rich heritage, nothing to take for granted," Mathis said this week. "It lets you know there are a lot of guys who paved the way for us."

Rice, who holds every major NFL receiving record, put on a show in the inaugural game. Grambling was within 41-36 when he caught a 63-yard touchdown pass for the final score.

In the 1991 Classic, a freshman quarterback named Steve McNair threw for 433 yards and three touchdowns in his fifth college game. He completed 23-of-36 passes as Alcorn State beat Howard 46-27.

McNair, now with Baltimore, played for the Houston Oilers/Tennessee Titans from 1995-2005.

Williams, from Central State in Wilberforce, Ohio, played tackle for 11 years in the NFL, starting for the Cowboys during their dominant run in the 1990s. He went to four Pro Bowls while blocking for Emmitt Smith and Troy Aikman.

Douglas, also from Central State, was the 1995 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year and was a three-time Pro Bowler. He helped shut down Alabama State 34-13 in 1992.

"You go down through the list, and it's not so much what we think, it's what has been proven," said James Bell, who coached Jackson State and is now at Taylor University. "Those guys have gone on to the pros. That tells you something about the players in the Classic. It's factual evidence.

"It's a good opportunity for guys to showcase their talents."

Mathis certainly did that. He had four sacks and caused a fumble that was returned for a touchdown in Alabama A&M's 27-11 victory over Southern in 2002. Mathis' big day came on the home field of the Colts, and in the fifth round of the 2003 draft, they picked him.

"It was very exciting to get that chance to participate in a game outside of your region, to play in front of a different crowd," Mathis said. "It was a very big deal. When we first saw in the schedule, we were counting down the days."

Florida A&M University Marching 100: Half-Time Show, Atlanta Football Classic 2007

Part I


Part II


Part III


Part IV

Injuries mount against the FAMU Rattlers

By Heath A. Smith, DEMOCRAT STAFF WRITER

ATLANTA - The Florida A&M Rattlers left the Georgia Dome with another win Saturday, but it may have come at the cost of the some key players.

Senior defensive end Tyrone McGriff left the game in the third quarter with a torn biceps on his left arm, which could make him doubtful for next week's Circle City Classic in Indianapolis.

Redshirt-sophomore guard Anthony Collins went down 2:58 in the second quarter with looked like an injury to his knee. Collins, who hurt his knee two weeks ago against Howard did not play the rest of the game.

Freshman fullback Demarius Folsom went down 11:52 in the first quarter with what looked like a foot injury and did not play the rest of the game either.

Folsom, from Madison County High, was replaced by sophomore Mykel Benson, who saw his first action of the season.

Benson just returned to practice three weeks ago after recovering from a neck injury that kept him out of fall camp and the first three games of the season. Benson caught a pass for 15 yards in the first quarter.

A taste of twin towers
Freshman bookend defensive ends Kendrick Washington and Marquiste Ramos are expected to the future of FAMU's pass rush.

The future got a jump start Saturday when the two got the opportunity to play together for the first time this season.

It happened in the third quarter when senior starters Carlos Rolle and McGriff went down with injuries on the same play.

Washington and Ramos were inserted at bookends for the first time in their careers.

“It was exciting,” said Washington, who had one tackle, assisted on a tackle for loss and had a pass breakup in the game. “It was something we have been looking forward to.”

Trick plays
Offensive coordinator Bob Cole brought out a few trick plays in the first half. First he lined up quarterback Albert Chester II at wide receiver and direct-snapped the ball to running back Philip Sylvester who took it for a nine-yard gain.

Later in the second quarter, Chester lined up outside again, but this time backup quarterback Leon Camel was put in the game and took the snap in the shotgun formation.

That play didn't gain any yards, however.

Encouraging words
FAMU senior kicker Wesley Taylor was happy to win Saturday, but admitted he felt some sympathy for Tennessee State Eric Benson, who missed the potential game-winning field goal with eight seconds left in the fourth quarter.

“It's a tough situation for a kicker to be in,” Taylor. “I've never had that happen to me in a game, but I know what he is going through. I talked to him after the game and told him to keep his head up.”

Taylor had his struggles Saturday, missing a field-goal attempt and an extra-point kick but will end his career having never lost in the Georgia Dome.

Last year Taylor kicked the game-winning field goal in overtime, earning MVP honors.

Safety valve
An errant snap in the second quarter that resulted in a safety turned out the be the points difference in the game.

Tennessee State's center sent the ball sailing into the end zone when he thought he saw quarterback Antonio Heffner move his foot.

Tennessee State head football coach James Webster said the offense had to use a silent snap count because of crowd noise.

Heffner was stepping up to the line to call an audible, which confused the center.

FAMU vs. TSU--2007 Atlanta Football Classic Battle of the Bands