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

DEARBORN, Mich., Sept. 2 -- For many fans attending the Ford Detroit Football Classic at Ford Field Saturday, September 4, the most interesting competition won't be the game between teams from Alabama State University and Howard University. The real action will be the halftime Battle of the Bands, sponsored by AAA Michigan, featuring ASU's Mighty Marching Hornets and Howard's Showtime Marching Band.

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 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 Linda Woolwine, president/chief operating officer of AAA Michigan. "AAA 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.

Fourteen members of the ASU Mighty Marching Hornets live in Michigan and graduated from high schools in the state: Benjamin Bearden and Tanisha Jones, both of Pontiac (Pontiac Central High); Ashley Brown of Detroit (Mumford High); Quanta Brown of Inkster (Henry Ford Academy); Janelle Green of Detroit (Jared Finney High); Nicole Green, Tamara Hill, Quran Ijemba, Quinnton Smith and Rachel Whittaker, all of Detroit (Detroit High School for Fine and Performing Arts); LaQuanda Doss of Eastpointe (East Detroit High); Mike Jenkins of Detroit (Southfield High); Martell Johnson of Pontiac (Pontiac Northern High); and Devon Patterson of Saginaw (Arthur Hill High).

Five Detroit residents, graduates of high schools in the city, are members of Howard University's Showtime Marching Band: Adria Anderson (Martin Luther King High); Alexis Dunagen and Angela Everett (Cass Technical High); Michael Fortson (Southeastern High); and Krystal Oliver (Mercy High).

Kickoff time for the Ford Detroit Football Classic will be 1 p.m. Saturday, September 4. Tickets are available from Ticketmaster and the Ford Field Box Office.