In honor of a successful year, the LSU Marching Band received the highest honor for a collegiate marching band — the Sudler Trophy.
The award, which has been offered annually since 1982 to bands from universities like Texas A&M and Michigan State University, is administered through the John Philip Sousa Foundation.
“[The foundation] offers a number of awards, but this is the only one given to college bands,” said Frank Wickes, director of LSU Bands.
Wickes said four bands were nominated for the award this year, and the decision to pick LSU Marching Band, also known as “The Golden Band from Tigerland,” was unanimous.
“This is a wonderful honor that comes to us,” Wickes said. “And it is received at a time when we are very pleased with the band and the football team too.”
Anthony Marinello, a music education senior and drum major for the band, said the award was something band members were really excited about.
“This is a nice culmination of the whole year,” he said. “We worked really hard this year.”
Marinello added that nothing in the band was lacking this year, and every aspect of their performances was great.
Michael Bellinger, the public relations coordinator and concert manager for the College of Music and Dramatic Arts, said the Sudler Trophy has been deemed by many as the “Heisman Trophy for college bands.”
The band director, Linda Moorhouse, said getting people aware of the band is hard because during televised games, the halftime performance is not shown.
Moorhouse said she feels the band has received so much attention this year because many people have witnessed the band perform firsthand and have been talking about their ability.
“This is a very prestigious honor for the band,” she said. “But it is not just about this past year’s Tiger Band, it also is about the many years of work people have put into it.”
Moorhouse said the band is scheduled to receive the award officially in a ceremony at halftime Sept. 14, during the game against University of Miami, Ohio.
During the ceremony, the alumni band and current band members will be present to receive the award.
“LSU Bands has had a distinguished history for a long time,” Wickes said. “Many people know of our achievements now.”
Wickes also said the students who participate in the band are elated about receiving the honor.
Biological Engineering sophomore and trumpet player for the band Megan Morris said the choreography had a lot to do with winning the award.
“The whole football team did well this year also,” she said. “And we feed off of the team and the crowd.”
Morris said the constant excitement of the football team and the crowd boosts the band’s excitement and makes them perform better.
“I knew we were good and well recognized,” said Morris. “But to get this award is a great honor.”