Jackson State University has announced that its world-renowned Sonic Boom of the South Marching Band will not participate in ESPN Red Lobster Band of the Year competition this season. The decision, formally shared by Director Dr. Roderick Little in a public message to supporters, underscores the band’s commitment to institutional priorities and its own standards of excellence within the HBCU tradition.
Jackson State University already a part of history
The announcement is significant given Jackson State University’s place in the history of the competition. The Sonic Boom was part of the inaugural Band of the Year showcase in 2023, where it fell to North Carolina A&T in the championship round. Former JSU director Dowell Taylor is one of the Band of The Year co-chairs.
While that debut appearance highlighted the band’s national stature, Dr. Little emphasized that sitting out future adjudication and rankings is a matter of institutional preference, not rivalry or lack of capability.
“We fully respect the decision of other programs to participate, as well as the enthusiasm of fans who follow the competition,” Dr. Little wrote. “At Jackson State, our students work tirelessly and are evaluated by a different set of standards—those that focus on personal growth, musical excellence, and cultural impact. We take immense pride in the integrity, resilience, and life achievements of our members, both on and off the field.”
Dr. Little’s letter made clear that Jackson State University continues to hold the Band of the Year organizers in high regard and seeks to maintain positive relationships across the broader HBCU band community. Still, the message reaffirms that the Sonic Boom’s performance metrics are defined internally, rather than through external rankings or competitions.
Band of the Year response
ESPN Events’ John T. Grant, executive director of the Red Lobster Band of the Year, speaking exclusively to HBCU Gameday, responded to the decision with respect and understanding.
“We acknowledge the position taken by Jackson State University’s Sonic Boom of The South,” Grant said in a statement. “Each band will be adjudicated through the season as we have for the last two seasons. Our process provides that any band in the season-ending top five may decline to participate in the final competition — if selected.”
Grant also underscored the broader mission of the initiative, which extends beyond trophies or bragging rights within the HBCU band world and beyond.
“The objective of the Band of the Year is to provide evaluation and insight to help each band improve their overall on-field performance,” he added.
Differing HBCU philosophies
The announcement is sure to spark conversation across the HBCU community. Jackson State University’s Sonic Boom of the South has long been regarded as one of the standard bearers of HBCU band culture, with a legacy of showmanship and precision that has inspired generations. The Band of The Year event’s process has been under a microscope since ESPN announced it in the summer of 2023 as it is based solely on field performances.
Jackson State’s announcement illustrates that the HBCU band world is not only a diverse set of marching styles, but philosophies as well.
The Red Lobster Band of The Year rankings will be revealed exclusively on HBCU Gameday in mid-October.
JSU works tireless stealing field shows ideas and concepts from other HBCUs naming their Usher Show they displayed in the first BOY against NCA&T. The entire show stolen from a field show the same home NC A&T did years b4. JSU is lazy and shows desperation when you attempt to steal another bands creativity trying to make it yours in academia that’s called plagiarism.
I didn’t realize that HBCU Marching bands are às Supreme as they prove, talk about SUPREMACY. There methodically, strategically, and universally positioning in music is synonymous to the Supremes of Motown. Motown, Supremes, HBCU Marching bands, cultural excellence
I’d venture to say keeping with internal priorities is a safe place you can always rely on and retreat to.
I am the author of the award winning book titled: ‘The Legendary Florida A & M University Marching Band, The History Of The Hundred.’ I agree with Jackson States decision to back away from such competition. As I think about FAMU, I am reminded that Dr. William P. Foster set the standards for all marching bands to be judged. Therefore, like Jackson State, ‘The Hundred’ does not have anything to prove. Therefore, I welcome the day when FAMU decides not to participate.
Jackson State marching band is one of the best marching bands that’s out now ????????
I agree 100 PERCENT WITH JACKSON STATE I hope Texas Southern follow by excusing themselves as well. This band ranking system dont have no clear indicators nor do we know 100 for sure how each member of that judge feels personally toward each band. I really think that the way ESPN ranking goes is full of BS we judge our bands off of zero quarter halftime performance and 5th quarter. You can’t define what band is the best if you not using these factors.
Good bye. So sorry. Good band. But you can’t win all the time.
Dr. Little told them after the inaugural season JSU would not be participating. They still used the boom last year and again this year. So ESPN and red lobster said “yeah whatever” and continued to use the boom as if they we part of this competition. So what was done in the dark came to light
Why won’t ESPN stay out of Black Folks business? These colonizers always trying to weasel their way in our culture.
You do know they own the Celebration Bowl, right?