100 will perform halftime show at MEAC/SWAC Challenge on Sept. 1st in Orlando

FAMU Director of Marching and Pep Bands Sylvester Young announced today that the Marching “100” will perform during the halftime show at the MEAC/SWAC Challenge presented by Disney in Orlando Sept. 1, 2013 and at other games during the football season.

According to Young, the band will have fewer members than in the past, as a result of the new, more rigorous guidelines for participation. A news story by Tampa Bay Times reporter Tia Mitchell provided additional details, explaining that “the Marching 100 currently has 126 members and likely won't surpass 150 students this season. There were over 400 before the suspension.”

Young emphasized that even though this year's band will be smaller than the one that marched in 2011, it will remain equally dynamic and fully represent the great tradition of the late William P. Foster.

“We have made a thorough assessment of the students who have auditioned for the band and firmly believe that we are ready to return and positively represent Florida A&M University and its proud students, faculty, alumni and community,” Young added. “We embark on this season reflective of the circumstances that led to the band’s suspension and are optimistic that this is a new day for the band and the university. Our goal is to support the mission of the university and use this program to recruit top scholars and elevate the stature of the university.”

In June, FAMU Interim President Larry Robinson announced that he would lift the suspension, but would leave it up to Young to determine when the band was ready to perform. Young’s announcement today comes 21 months after the band was suspended as a result of a hazing incident in Orlando.

“We fully support Dr. Young’s decision,” said Robinson. “As the Marching “100” returns to the field, we believe that it will be a model of excellence for other bands in the country as we focus on its founding principles of character, academics, leadership, marching and service.”