Marching 100’s Orlando trip continues without any safety problems

Sylvester Young, FAMU’s director of bands, delayed the Marching 100’s departure from Tallahassee for two hours on Friday as he and other university officials double-checked the eligibility status of each band member. Staffers verified that each student who boarded one of the buses met the enrollment and GPA standards required for participation.

The five buses carrying 146 band members, Young’s assistants, and chaperones then finally left the state’s capital city and headed toward their destination in Orlando.

Saturday morning, the Marching 100 was up bright and early to appear at the MEAC/SWAC pep rally in Disney World’s Magic Kingdom. It kicked off its performance with the 20th Century Fox theme song. FAMU Interim President Larry Robinson then took the stage to offer words of encouragement to the band students who will be seen by an ESPN audience of millions this weekend.

“Good morning, Rattlers!” Robinson said. “They’re back!”

Robinson drew loud applause as he recited the Rattler Charge to an excited crowd of fans. The 100 followed with FAMU favorites such as Do What You Wanna. It also paid tribute to ESPN’s decision to televise Sunday’s FAMU/Mississippi Valley State football game by playing the network’s theme song.

After the pep rally, the 100 led a parade through the Epcot Theme Park. Spectators danced in the streets as it played S.O.S., Fever, and the Mickey Mouse Club March.

The trip continues to go smoothly without any reported disciplinary or safety problems.