Lobo Stadium to host battle of marching bands

[LoboFan07]

http://www.news-journal.com/news/content/news/stories/2005/08/25/20050825LNJmarching.html

Skirmishes are scheduled Sept 10. at Lobo Stadium, but the only casualties expected are fans of high-energy music or college football who miss the day-long affair.

"It's called the Longview Classic," said Texas Southern University sports information officer Rodney Bush, confirming the TSU Tigers will meet the Alabama State University Hornets in a 6 p.m. Southwestern Athletic Conference matchup.

The face-off between the NCAA Division 1AA teams will follow a battle of the bands pitting high-stepping marchers from those two universities in a three-way fight with the Grambling State University Tiger Marching Band from Louisiana.

Grambling returns to Longview after performing to a sold-out Lobo Stadium during the 2000 football season.

"We've got Texas Southern playing Alabama State on Sept. 10," Longview Director of Extracurricular Activities Pat Collins said. "And we've got a battle of the bands during the day."

The bands hit forward march at 8 a.m., with Grambling expected to compete at 10 a.m.

Tickets for both events are $15, and are on sale at Gorman-McCracken Volkswagen in Longview.

"I think they just wanted to bring something to East Texas. And we're glad to be a part of it,” said Scott Brothers, general manager of the dealership on Texas 31. “It's just something they wanted to bring to East Texas, a college football game."

[catman]

I saw Grambling and Texas Southern play football a few years ago at the Alamodome. Both teams were having great years. The halftime show was amazing. I remember liking Texas Southern's "Ocean Of Soul" band better than Grambling's.

[dragons08]

this is pretty interesting i must say, but how many of us would go to a band competition just for fun? i mean the chances of me going to one are slim and im in band...but like the football game before hand, i think will keep some of the band enthusiats plus people who care some what about band to stay and watch the competion

[LoboFan07]

Word has it that 16,000 tickets have already been sold (both schools have 10,000 tickets each)

For a freakin 10,500 stadium I dunno how they expect to fit 20,000 in there.

[PackAttack2005]

I hope you get that awful turf fixed at Lobo Stadium before October.

If you have never seen the Grambling Band or TSU band in action you have missed some great entertainment, the "Battle of the Bands" will probably be better than the football game.

[slcsportsfan]

I have seen both Grambling and Texas Southern play before. It is funny that people will not leave during halftime and will bolt soon after the performances. If you are not a fan of marching bands, which even if you're not you need to watch these guys, at halftime is the perfect time to go get a coke.