Red Lobster HBCU Band of the Year: Florida A&M Set To Repeat As National Champion?

The 2025 Red Lobster HBCU Band of the Year will crown a new HBCU marching bands national champion at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta — the night before the Cricket Celebration Bowl, on Friday, Dec. 12, 2025. It's the third year of the competition, where last season, the Florida A&M Marching Band took home the championship title.

The Red Lobster Band of the Year Championship was established by ESPN Events to recognize the top Division I and Division II HBCU marching bands in the country. The championship has become a highlight of the Celebration Bowl weekend. Owned and operated by ESPN Events, the event showcases the tradition, artistry, and competitiveness of HBCU bands in a unique national championship format.

The selection committee for the Red Lobster HBCU Band of the Year consists of band directors and performance experts. Their evaluations, combined with fan voting, will rank bands weekly throughout the season based on various criteria, including musicality, drill design, percussion, auxiliary corps, drum majors, and esprit de corps, among others. The top two HBCU bands from both NCAA Division I (large schools) and NCAA Division II/NAIA (small schools) will have the chance to compete live in Atlanta for their respective titles.

Additionally, the event features a Metro-Atlanta High School Band Championship, recognizing local talent and community participation.

Past Champions include:

● Division I: 2024 – Florida A&M, 2023 – North Carolina A&T

● Division II: 2024 – Miles College, 2023 – Florida Memorial University

● Metro-Atlanta High School Champion (2024): Jonesboro High School

Weekly rankings will be published on HBCU GameDay. With fan voting and media promotion, every halftime show now holds added significance, making each performance important throughout the season. Fans are encouraged to visit www.bandoftheyear.com and follow @ESPNBOTY on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for updates.

HBCU MARCHING BANDS NEWS

Published Jun 6, 2025 | Modified Jun 6, 2025

KYLE MOSLEY

I am Kyle T. Mosley, the Founder, Managing Editor, and Chief Reporter for the HBCU Legends, Saints News Network, and Pelicans Scoop on FanNation a Sports Illustrated team channel since October 2019. Morehouse Alum, McDonogh #35 Roneagles (NOLA), Drum Major of the Tenacious Four. My Father, Mother, Grandmother, Aunts and Uncles were HBCU graduates! Host of "Blow the Whistle" HBCU Legends, "The Quad" with Coach Steward, and "Bayou Blitz" Podcasts. Radio/Media Appearances: WWL AM/FM Radio in New Orleans (Mike Detillier/Bobby Hebert), KCOH AM 1230 in Houston (Ralph Cooper), WBOK AM in New Orleans (Reggie Flood/Ro Brown), and 103.7FM "The Game" (Jordy Hultberg/Clint Domingue), College Kickoff Unlimited (Emory Hunt), Jeff Lightsly Show, and Offscript TV on YouTube. Television Appearance: Fox26 in Houston on The Isiah Carey Factor, College Kickoff Unlimited (Emory Hunt). My Notable Interviews: Byron Allen (Media Mogul), Deion Sanders (Jackson State University, Head Coach), Tomekia Reed (Jackson State Lady Tigers Basketball Coach), Taylor Rooks (NBA Reporter), Swin Cash (VP of Basketball - New Orlean Pelicans), Demario and Tamala Davis (NFL Player), Jerry Rice (Hall of Famer), Doug Williams (HBCU & NFL Legend), Emmitt Smith (Hall of Famer), James "Shack" Harris (HBCU & NFL Legend), Cris Carter (Hall of Famer), Solomon Wilcots (SiriusXM NFL Host), Steve Wyche (NFL Network), Jim Trotter (NFL Network), Travis Williams (Founder of HBCU All-Stars, LLC), Malcolm Jenkins (NFL Player), Cam Jordan (NFL), Demario Davis (NFL), Allan Houston (NBA All-Star), Drew Brees (Former NFL QB), Deuce McAllister (Former NFL RB), Willie Roaf (NFL Hall of Fame), Jim Everett (Former NFL Player), Quinn Early (Former NFL Player), Dr. Reef (NFL Players' Trainer Specialist), Nataria Holloway (VP of the NFL). I am building a new team of journalists, podcasters, videographers, and interns. For media requests, interviews, or interest in joining HBCU Legends, please contact me at kmosley@hbcusi.com. Follow me:

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