NC A&T’s Blue and Gold Marching Machine Wins 2021 HBCU Sports Band of the Year
The Blue and Gold Marching Machine of North Carolina A&T State University was voted 2021 HBCU Sports Band of the Year.
In a poll conducted from Friday, Jan. 14 through Friday (Jan. 21), North Carolina A&T secured over half of the 439,574 total votes tabulated with 223,329 votes (50.81 percent).
Alabama State finished 2nd place in the polling with 156,601 votes (35.6 percent), followed by Southern University with 26,294 votes (5.98 percent), Florida A&M with 25,339 votes (5.76 percent), and Jackson State with 8,111 votes (1.85 percent).
Under the direction of Dr. Kenneth Ruff, this marks the third time the Blue and Gold Marching Machine has won the award.
In addition to receiving the 2021 HBCU Sports Band of the Year Award, HBCU Sports will also make a $2500 donation to the band program.
About BLUE & GOLD MARCHING MACHINE
As one of the premier bands in the nation, the Blue and Gold Marching Machine is synonymous with high stepping performances, precise drills, powerful, yet melodic sounds, and energy! As the premier band of North Carolina and ranking high among the top HBCU Marching Bands, the Blue & Gold Marching Machine of NC A&T State University is a force to be reckoned with!
Under the leadership of visionary, Dr. Kenneth Ruff, “The Blue and Gold Machine” brings crowds of fans to their feet year after year. The hard work of band members has led to numerous recognitions such as winners of the Honda Battle of The Bands, the 2003 Defeat the Beat Champions, the official band of the Carolina Panthers NFL franchise, the lead band for the 2012 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City and a top 10 band as reported by Sports Illustrated.
The band performs at a variety of school and community functions and consists of approximately 200 members from very diverse majors and concentrations. The band is an auditioned group. The audition is open to all students of the university who wish to participate. The Marching Machine performs different genres of music and incorporates all styles of marching and maneuvering. The unit is a source of pride for the university and the community.