HBCU Band of the Year National Championship Rankings, 11/22
ESPN Events' Band of the Year competition committee posted the Division I and Division II + NAIA Band of the Year rankings for Week 12 of the college football season. The Mercedes-Benz Stadium will host the Band of the Year competition on Dec. 15, the day before the Celebration Bowl.
THE SELECTION PROCESS
John Grant, Executive Director of the Band of the Year, Cricket Celebration Bowl, and Cricket MEAC/SWAC Challenge Kickoff, told HBCU Legends after the initial announcement that a committee would judge each marching band's submitted performances based on the weekly halftime performances. The weekly and monthly rankings have been posted online throughout the 2023 football season for fans to view at the Band of the Year website, a mobile app, and HBCU Gameday. According to the BOTY competition committee, "The top two bands from each division in the final rankings will earn the right to compete for the national title in Atlanta. The Band of the Year Championship will showcase the best of the best, featuring bands that have demonstrated excellence in musicianship, originality, precision, and showmanship."
On Wednesday, the BOTY competition committee posted the cumulative ranking for November 2023. The BOTY website states, "The November ranking will list the top five in each division. The final ranking will award the top two teams in each division a shot at the ESPN Band of The Year title." The announcement of the final cumulative ranking is scheduled for Nov. 28.
Texas Southern's "Ocean of Soul" - Nov. 18, 2023 at Shell Energy Stadium, Houston, TX.; Credit: HBCU Legends, Kyle T. Mosley
DIVISION I CUMULATIVE RANKINGS
- North Carolina A&T "Blue and Gold Marching Machine" – 832
- Jackson State "Sonic Boom of The South" – 808
- Southern University "Human Jukebox" – 801
- Norfolk State "Spartan Legion" – 791
- Prairie View A&M "Marching Storm" — 778 and Tennessee State "Aristocrat of Bands" — 778 (tie)
- Florida A&M "Marching 100 — 770
- Texas Southern University "Ocean of Soul" — 735
- South Carolina State University "Marching 101" — 702
- Alabama State University "Marching Hornets" — 676
- Grambling State University "World Famed Tiger Marching Band" — 673
DIVISION II + NAIA CUMULATIVE RANKINGS
- Florida Memorial “The Roar” — 772
- Virginia State “Trojan Explosion” — 750
- Winston-Salem State “Red Sea of Sound” — 744
- Central State “Invincible Marching Marauders”— 723
- Savannah State “Powerhouse of The South” — 721
- Tuskegee University “Marching Crimson Pipers” — 720
- Benedict College “Band of Distinction” — 691
- Miles College “Purple Marching Machine” — 684
- Fort Valley State “Blue Machine Marching Band” — 668
- Fayetteville State University “Marching Bronco Express” — 647
Sept. 3, 2022; Prairie View A&M Panthers' Marching Storm drum majors perform against the Texas Southern University's Ocean of Soul at halftime of the 37th Labor Day Classic in Prairie View, TX; Mandatory Credit: Kyle A. Mosley, HBCU Legends
