NASHVILLE, Tenn. (TSU News) – Tennessee State University will celebrate homecoming from October 6-12, 2024. One of the highlights will be ESPN’s First Take live broadcast from the campus on Friday, October 11, at 9 a.m. The visit to TSU is one of three stops on the First Take HBCU Tour. While thousands are expected to attend the event during TSU’s homecoming, ESPN says its visit is more than just for a show.
“When COVID-19 hit, followed by the death of George Floyd, the company experienced a significant shift,” the company said in a statement to TSU.
“Disney began to focus on programming that truly embraced authenticity and change. From that effort emerged initiatives like Disney on the Yard, Drum Major Mickey, and a dedicated focus on Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).”
Following America’s racial reckoning during the summer of 2020 and the hiring of David Roberts as the EVP of First Take, NBA, and College Sports, the sports network said making HBCUs a priority was a clear goal. With Stephen A. Smith’s background as a proud graduate of Winston-Salem State and his role as an ambassador for HBCU Week, the opportunity was perfectly aligned.
“As the show expanded with Shannon Sharpe, a Savannah State graduate, joining the team, we wanted to strengthen our commitment even more—especially as other companies began to move away from DEI programming. Last year, we spotlighted their alma maters, and this year, as a proud graduate of TSU and a director on the show, I was the first to push my BIG BLUE HEART to the forefront.”
First Take did its first HBCU live broadcast in Fall 2019 at Delaware State University. They explain that the notoriety of the show brings an added impact when they come to an HBCU. Students from TSU’s College of Liberal Arts will serve as production and technical assistants, including filming, lighting, and other set needs.
“We recognize the visibility and attention we bring, which directly translates to recruitment and funding—both of which are critical for every HBCU. Beyond that, we give students the opportunity to shadow our production team, providing them with firsthand experience of what it takes to make the show successful day in and day out.”
The global company says it sees itself as more than just a television network. As part of the Walt Disney Company, HBCU representation within the network is equally important.
Those planning to attend the live broadcast at TSU should arrive by 8:30 a.m. Public parking is at the intersection of Albion Street and Clare Avenue, behind Rudolph Residence Hall.
NASHVILLE, Tenn.(TSU News Service) – The Tennessee State University world famous marching band has done it again. Just in time for homecoming, The Undefeated has named the TSU Aristocrat of Bands the Best HBCU marching band in America.
Ranked No. 4 in the September poll, AOB moved slightly ahead of North Carolina A&T State University to take the title, with top finishes in all categories, including No. 1 in drum major.
This is the third ESPN/The Undefeated HBCU Ranking this season. Bands are evaluated based on musicality, drill and design, percussion, auxiliary crops and drum majors. The rankings are conducted by two six-person panels consisting of current and retired band directors from HBCUs, as well as choreographers.
The AOB is not new to national or international recognition.
They have performed at the White House, at NFL games, and appeared at events
and performed with many other big stars.
During the recent NFL Draft in Nashville, the AOB thrilled fans
with a performance on ESPN’s “First Take.” Percussionists from the band performed
in the Rose Bowl Parade. The AOB performed with country music legend Keith
Urban, and performed at the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio.
Lizzo, a rising star topping the charts, gave a shout out to the band recently after they performed a dynamic medley including her hit song “Truth Hurts” at TSU’s game against Mississippi Valley State on Aug. 31, and delivered a repeat performance at the National Battle of the Bands in Houston, Lizzo’s hometown.
Department of Media Relations
Tennessee State University 3500 John Merritt Boulevard Nashville, Tennessee 37209 615.963.5331
About Tennessee State University
Founded in 1912, Tennessee State University is Nashville’s only public university, and is a premier, historically black university and land-grant institution offering 38 bachelor’s degree programs, 24 master’s degree programs, and seven doctoral degrees. TSU is a comprehensive research intensive institution with a R-2 Carnegie designation, and has a graduate school on its downtown Avon Williams Campus, along with the Otis Floyd Nursery Research Center in McMinnville, Tennessee. With a commitment to excellence, Tennessee State University provides students with a quality education in a nurturing and innovative environment that prepares them as alumni to be global leaders in every facet of society. Visit the University online at tnstate.edu.
NASHVILLE,
Tenn. (TSU News Service)
– Football fans across the nation who tuned into ESPN Friday morning to watch
the NFL Draft in the Music City got a taste of the thrilling sound of the
world-renowned Tennessee State University Aristocrat of Bands.
The AOB, known
worldwide for their melodious musical renditions and marching prowess, were the
featured guest entertainers on the nationally syndicated ESPN sports talk show,
First Take, with popular hosts Stephen A. Smith, Max Kellerman and Will
Cain.
Stephen A. Smith, host of ESPN’s First Take, interacts with members of the TSU Aristocrat of Bands following the band’s performance on the popular sports talk show. (Photo by Emmanuel Freeman, TSU Media Relations)
Diehard
TSU fans, friends and supporters were among the hundreds who made up the studio
audience at Nissan Stadium. Daryl Rice and Brad Strode were among them.
“This
is a very big deal,” said Rice, a former Flying Tiger and a 2015 graduate of
TSU. “I am Big Blue true and true. I am a big First Take fan
and to be able to see my fellow alumni and our band on live television and on
this huge stage is an amazing experience.”
Strode,
a 2015 graduate who also ran track for the Tigers and a big Fist
Take fan, did not know the AOB were performing at the show until he
saw the group enter the stadium.
“I was
just so excited to see my school’s marching band,” Rice said. “It is
always a great feeling when you see your fellow Tennessee State students in the
house. It is even more exciting to see that my HBCU is here on this big stage
with outstanding representation. I am just very proud.”
Daryl Rice, left, and Brad Strode, two TSU graduates, were among hundreds who saw the Aristocrat of Bands perform on First Take, the popular ESPN sports talk show. (Photo by Emmanuel Freeman, TSU Media Relations)
To
kick of the show, hosts Smith, Kellerman and Cain joined band members in their
opening rendition of “I am so glad I go to TSU.” The band also entertained
audience members during commercial breaks with such favorite songs as
“Aristocrat Opener” and “Best Band.”
Band
Director, Dr. Reginald McDonald, said it is a “huge deal” anytime the
university has an opportunity to be exposed to this type of audience, whether
nationally or internationally. He is thankful to the university administration
for the support.
“This
goes beyond recruitment for the university,” said McDonald, who added that he
had less than 36 hours to prepare the band for their appearance. “It was all
made easy because of the support of
(TSU) President (Glenda) Glover, who immediately gave us the
greenlight. We realize this is an opportunity for the world to see TSU.”
Julien
Dooley, the AOB drum major, said coming to TSU has just opened him to so
many opportunities. He called his mom, sister and girlfriend and friends in
his hometown of Atlanta to tune in.
“One
thing that I really like about the AOB is that the opportunities are
plentiful,” said Dooley, a rising senior majoring in commercial music, who
McDonald recruited a day after his graduation from Southwest DeKalb High School
in his native Atlanta. “Since coming here, I have seen nothing but
benefits like from going to the White House (to perform for the Obamas),
to a studio session with (Emmy winning)
music Professor Larry Jenkins, to being handpicked to do the NFL
Draft on national television. I think anything with the AOB name on it is
purely amazing.”
Dooley’s
fellow band member, Tiara Thomas, also a rising senior majoring in
political science, said she watches First Take every morning,
but actually appearing on the show “was extra special.”
“I am
really excited for this experience because it is something I watch at home
every morning,” she said. “It is big to have an HBCU. We work really hard to
brand ourselves and to get opportunities and exposures like this for our
university. I am just really excited.”
Band members, along with TSU President Dr. Glenda Glover,
graced the NFL red carpet the day before as a part of opening Draft Day
ceremonies.
“I am so proud that our students, as band members, are included in a once-in-lifetime experience in their own backyard like the NFL Draft,” said President Glover. ”Our inclusion in the NFL Draft experience from the Draftville promotional video to opening ceremonies, and now an appearance on a nationally syndicated sports show speaks to our institution’s importance and notoriety not just in Nashville, but also across the country.”
Department of Media Relations
Tennessee State University 3500 John Merritt Boulevard Nashville, Tennessee 37209 615.963.5331
About Tennessee State University
Founded in 1912, Tennessee State University is Nashville’s only public university, and is a premier, historically black university and land-grant institution offering 38 bachelor’s degree programs, 24 master’s degree programs, and seven doctoral degrees. TSU is a comprehensive research intensive institution with a R-2 Carnegie designation, and has a graduate school on its downtown Avon Williams Campus, along with the Otis Floyd Nursery Research Center in McMinnville, Tennessee. With a commitment to excellence, Tennessee State University provides students with a quality education in a nurturing and innovative environment that prepares them as alumni to be global leaders in every facet of society. Visit the University online at tnstate.edu.
