On August 29, 2021, Cricket Wireless will also be sponsoring the National Battle of the
Bands at NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas. An annual event where Historically Black
Colleges and Universities come together to showcase the groovy and funk filled traditions
of HBCU bands. Consider it the Super Bowl or National Championship for HBCU Bands across
the country. This year’s lineup includes:
- Bethune Cookman University, Marching Wildcats (Daytona Beach, FL)
- Langston University, “Marching Pride” Band (Langston, OK)
- North Carolina A&T State University, The Blue and Gold Marching Machine (Greensboro, NC)
- Norfolk State University, The Spartan “Legion” Marching Band (Norfolk, VA)
- Southern University, Human Jukebox (Baton Rouge, LA)
- Jackson State University, The Sonic Boom of the South (Jackson, MS)
- Tennessee State University, Aristocrat of Bands (Nashville, TN)
- Texas Southern University, “Ocean of Soul” Marching Band (Houston, TX)
Since this events inception Bethune Cookman has made a record 13 appearances.
Cricket is also sponsoring the MEAC/SWAC Challenge on August 28, 2021, at Center Parc
Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia The North Carolina Central Eagles will take on the Alcorn State
Braves. The Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference and Southwestern Athletic Conference are two
collegiate athletic conferences whose full members are Historically Black Colleges and
Universities. Every year since 2005 two teams from these conferences battle it out for bragging
rights. (The MEAC is 10-4 all-time in this challenge). But it’s not just the football teams that get
the attention. Throughout the game, and at halftime, each team’s respective bands battle it out
as well in an epic showcase
North Carolina Central University (NCCU or NC Central) is in Durham, North Carolina and was
founded in 1910. Their band, The North Carolina Central Marching Sound Machine was founded
in 1938.
Alcorn State University is in Lorman, Mississippi and was founded in 1871. Their marching band
is known as the Sounds of Dyno-O-mite.
As an HBCU Student these events not only bring people together, but they shine light on all
these historical universities. They don’t have the flashiest football or basketball teams but
they have great world renowned band programs that deserve the spotlight every once in a
while.
