The Louis Sudler Intercollegiate Marching Band Trophy
The Sudler Trophy honors "the close historical relationship and
outstanding contribution of Intercollegiate Marching Bands to the
American way of life."
It is an annual award "to recognize a college Marching Band
of exceptional merit" and bands that have been awarded the
Sudler Trophy are not eligible for nomination for additional Sudlers.
The selection and presentation of this award is administered by the John Philip
Sousa Foundation.
In 1985, the Florida A&M University "Marching 100" Band was
awarded the Sudler Trophy, the highest honor a collegiate marching band can
receive. With the presentation, the "Marching 100" was the 4th band in
the nation, the first Southern band, the first HBCU band, and first and only in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference
to receive the award, which is considered by many to be the "Heisman Trophy
for college bands."
The Sudler Trophy is named for Louis and Virginia Sudler, the generous
patrons whose efforts and contributions have made the award possible.
Administered by the John Philip Sousa Foundation, the purpose of the award is
"to identify and recognize collegiate marching bands of particular
excellence which have made outstanding contributions to the American way of
life. The Sudler Trophy will be awarded annually to a college or university
marching band which has demonstrated the highest of musical standards and
innovative marching routines and ideas, and which has made important
contributions to the advancement of the performance standards of college
marching bands over a period of several years."
Each September, every marching band director in the United States who is
teaching at a four-year school participating in NCAA football receives a ballot.
Each director is asked to nominate and vote by listing and ranking three college
marching bands from throughout the nation. These ballots are compiled and the
result is announced each December in Chicago at the Midwest International Band
and Orchestra Clinic.
This trophy is in recognition of the hard work and efforts that previous
members of the World Famous "Marching 100" have put forth, and has
become the standard for all future bands to live up to.
There's nothing sweeter than being recognized by your peers as the best in
the country!
The complete list of Sudler recipients is:
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