The Pride of the Sunshine was awarded the Sudler Trophy, known as the “Heisman Trophy of the collegiate band world,” at Saturday’s Homecoming game halftime show.
The Sudler Trophy recognizes collegiate marching bands of particular excellence that “have made outstanding contributions to the American way of life.” according to the John Philip Sousa Foundation website.
The award is given to a band surrounded by great tradition that is respected on a national level.
Morgan Williams, a 19-year-old UF music education freshman and trumpet player in the band, said she admired the marching band after seeing her first halftime show when she was 8 years old.
“They inspired me to pursue playing,” she said.
Williams said the band, which is celebrating 100 years, holds two- to three-hour practices five days a week.
“It just so happens that this is our centennial year, which makes receiving this award even more special,” she said.
Because the Sudler Trophy is awarded to a band that has had a tremendous amount of impact on the American way of life, receiving it is basically a way of commemorating a century of tradition, Williams said.
Shanna Amster, a 20-year-old UF mechanical engineering junior, said winning this award reflected “years worth of hard work and dedication that past and present band directors and members put into this program to make it the program as successful as it is today.”
In a news release, Jay Watkins, band director, said being chosen as the 2013 recipient of the trophy is a historic honor for the Gator Band.
“It's a real tribute to the current and former members who have built the program to its current level of excellence,” Watkins said in a news release.
Gainesville is now the only city in America with band programs that have won Sudler Awards at the middle, high school and collegiate level.
UF President Bernie Machen, associate director of bands Jay Watkins and others pose behind the Sudler Trophy during Saturday’s Homecoming game halftime show.
