GSU band excited about D.C.
T. Scott Boatright, Reporter
01-11-2009
GRAMBLING — The Grambling State Tiger Marching Band has been world-renowned for more than 40 years now after playing halftime shows during the 1964 American Football League Championship and the first Super Bowl in 1967.Since then, the famed band played at the 1972 inauguration of Liberian President William R. Tolbert, Super Bowl IX in New Orleans’ Tulane Stadium in 1975 and the 2001
inauguration of President George W. Bush.
The Tiger Band is headed for Washington, D.C., again, and this time they feel they’re truly a part of history.
GSU’s band will travel to the nation’s capital on Jan. 20 to participate in the inaugural parade for Barack Obama, who will take over the reins of the country as the 44th President of the United States.
“What’s so important this time, for this event, is that we’ve played big events before that has brought us worldwide attention,” GSU Band Director Larry Pannel said. “But this is so historically important because not only is this the inauguration of a president, it’s the inauguration of the first president of color.
“History books will tell the story as it was. And no one will be able to write the Grambling State Tiger Marching Band out of the history books, because that’s what we’re about to do — we’re about to become a part of history.”
The band is in the midst of a fundraising drive to earn money to make the historic trip.
“Last I heard the donations have been steady,” GSU spokesman Byron McCauley said. “I’m not sure of the amounts raised and needed, but I know it’s been coming in steady increments. And I also know substantially more is still needed.”
But even as fundraising efforts continue, McCauley said the band will be making the trip to D.C.
“We will be going, even if we have to continue the fundraising after the event is over,” McCauley said. “This is too big an opportunity and too important and historic an occasion to not accept the honor of being asked to participate.
“But the main way we’re going to do this is the same way the Obama election brought in so much money. It doesn’t matter how much a person has to give, from a quarter to $100. A lot of small sums add up — every cent helps.”
To donate
There are three ways to make donations to help the Grambling State Tiger Marching Band raise funds for its trip to Washington D.C. for the inauguration of President-elect Barack Obama on Jan. 20:
• Online though a link on the Grambling Black and Gold Foundation Web site at https://ssb.gram.edu:9000/pls/gram/bwakngft.P_Make_A_Donation.
• Mail to the Grambling Black & Gold Foundation, Inc., c/o Division of Institutional Advancement, P.O. Box 587, Grambling, La. 71245. Those donating by check should include “Tiger Marching Band Inaugural Parade Campaign” in the memo.
• In person at the Office of Institutional Advancement at 100 Robinson St. Contact Suzanne Douglas at 274-2217 for directions or more information.
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