VSU Trojan Explosion Marching Band To Compete In ESPN’s 2024 National Championship

The band was invited after being ranked as the top Division II HBCU band in the country for the second consecutive year.

Virginia State University is proud to announce that the Trojan Explosion Marching Band has been invited to compete in ESPN's HBCU Band of the Year National Championship on Friday, December 13 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA.

The band was invited after being ranked as the top Division II HBCU band in the country for the second consecutive year. As part of this prestigious opportunity, the band will receive $75,000 and have all expenses covered for their participation in the event.

"We are honored to be once again invited to compete in the ESPN HBCU Band of the Year National Championship," said Dr. Taylor Whitehead, VSU Director of Marching and Pep Bands. "Our band has put in a lot of work this year, and I am glad to see that hard work recognized. We look forward to representing Virginia State University and upholding the distinguished title as the best HBCU band in Division II."

The rankings are determined by a panel of HBCU band directors who evaluate video submissions of halftime performances. Bands are judged on musicianship, marching, auxiliary, drum majors, and percussion. Rankings are based on cumulative scores, and the Trojan Explosion earned the highest cumulative score in Division II after a year of outstanding performances.

"This is a remarkable achievement for our band and the Department of Music," said Dr. Tia A. Minnis, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs. "These students consistently demonstrate exceptional talent as musicians and academic scholars. The entire Trojan community will be cheering them on when they take the stage in Atlanta."

This is the second year ESPN has hosted the HBCU Band of the Year National Championship. Last year, VSU finished as runner-up on the same stage in Atlanta. This year, the Trojan Explosion Marching Band looks to seize the opportunity to try to claim its first national championship.  

The 2024 ESPN Band of the Year National Championship will be held on Friday, December 13. The event will be broadcast live on ESPN+, starting at 7:00 pm. The Trojan Explosion Marching Band will compete against Miles College from Fairfield, Alabama, for the Division II national title.