Marching 100

So I spent last weekend in Tallahassee, Florida. No, not for a Florida St. game, but I was on the campus of Florida A & M. I believe one road separates the two campuses, but each represent their own unique history.

We all know about the Seminoles, but the Rattlers?

First off, Florida A & M is a historically black university. According to Black Enterprise in May 2006, Florida A& M was the number one college for African Americans. In 1997, Time Magazine-Princeton Review named A & M "College of the Year."

Just under 13,000 students attend Florida A & M. In 1978, they won the first ever 1AA Playoff Championship, beating UMass 35-28. Some notable alumni include; "Bullet" Bob Hayes, Andre Dawson and Vince Coleman.

But more than anything, the pride of Florida A & M is the best band in the land, the "Marching 100." Now over 400 strong, the "Marching 100" have performed in 4 different Super Bowls, 2 Presidential Inaugurations, the French Bi-Centennial Parade in Paris, the Grammys with Kanye West and have even been featured in a Coca-Cola commercial.

In 1992, Sports Illustrated declared the "Marching 100" the best band in the country.

These guys are real serious. If you've ever seen the movie "Drumline," you have some idea what I'm talking about.