22 Students From Michigan Will be on the Field For the Battle of the Bands at the Ford Detroit Football Classic

DEARBORN, Mich., Aug. 26, 2003 -- For many fans attending the Ford Detroit Football Classic at Ford Field Saturday, August 30, the most interesting competition won't be the game between teams from Alabama State University and Florida A&M University. The real action will be the halftime Battle of the Bands, sponsored by AAA Michigan, featuring ASU's Mighty Marching Hornets and FAMU's Marching 100.

Both bands have won national and international recognition for their energetic, high-stepping march and dance routines. To make sure the fans get a full measure of the frenetic entertainment, the halftime for the Classic will be twice the normal length of a football halftime.

"These two great college marching bands put on an electrifying show with innovative dance routines and pulse-pounding music," said Doug Bower, president/chief operating officer of AAA Michigan. "The Auto Club is very pleased to provide an opportunity for Michigan residents to enjoy this display of talent and enthusiasm."

For some students in the bands, the Ford Detroit Football Classic will provide them their first opportunity to perform before family and friends.

Ten members of the ASU Mighty Marching Hornets live in the Metro Detroit area and graduated from local high schools: Benjamin Bearden (Pontiac High), Devery Brooks and Misty Sharpe (Mackenzie High), Jeffery Charleston (M. L. King High), Carlotta Davis and Preva Deloach (Cody High), Darrell Patterson (Oak Park High), Zakea Richardson (Detroit Central High), Chinet Scott (Mumford High) and Kyle Wright (Detroit School of Performing Arts). Cedric Wooden (Benton Harbor High) also is a Marching Hornet.

The FAMU Marching 100 (actually, the band has more than 200 members) also includes 11 Michiganians. Students from the Metro Detroit area are Latina Black (River Rouge High), Lisa Henderson and Lester Little Jr. (Southfield High), Steven Jones (Renaissance High in Detroit), Dazania McGinnis and Tonysha Motley (Robichaud High in Inkster), NaToyia Robinson and Marcy Sumling (Cass Technical High in Detroit), Tiffany Terry and Donla Willis III (Detroit School of the Performing Arts). Marvin Motley from Flint Northern High is also among the Michigan contingent.

Kickoff time for the Ford Detroit Football Classic will be 2 p.m. Saturday, August 30. Tickets are available from Ticketmaster and the Ford Field Box Office.