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Marching 110 Chosen As Nation’s Best College Band
By: George Mauzy, Jr.
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For the second time, the Ohio University Marching 110 has been awarded the top spot in the CollegeSports-fans.com "Best College Marching Bands" rankings.
After listing Ohio University at the top of its list in its 2007 rankings, the website's staff decided it was time to publish an updated list of the best college marching bands in the nation.
CollegeSports-fans.com writer Burt Gressler recently posted his list of the "Top Ten Marching Bands in the Country" and the Marching 110 held the first spot ahead of some of the most famous college bands in America, including the Ohio State University Marching Band (second), the University of Michigan (third) and the Southern University Human Jukebox (10th).
"It's nice being acknowledged as one of the best bands in the nation and I'm proud that we are always mentioned on lists like these," said Marching 110 Director Richard Suk. "These types of honors give the band members something to be proud of. I like to think that we're not the best band so that we continue to work hard to become the best."
Gressler wrote that these bands stood out because of their "unique marching style, song selection, traditional drills or dancing skills." He added that the selected 10 bands "truly represent the cream of the crop amongst collegiate organizations."
In his description of the Marching 110, Gressler wrote that the self-proclaimed "Most Exciting Band in the Land" has continued to grow in popularity since being renamed and reinvented as a high-energy band in 1967 under new director Gene Thrailkill.
Gressler noted that the Marching 110 performs standard marching as well as a dance routine to a contemporary rock, pop or R&B tune with an extensive drum break in the middle of it during every home football game.
"Our goal as a band is to keep the fans in their seats during our performances and also leave them wanting more when we're done," Suk said. "We also make sure we support our teams by cheering loud at their games and matches."
After reviewing the history of the marching band at Ohio University, Gressler noted that the Marching 110 has taken advantage of social media. He acknowledged that the popular band has generated more than 9 million YouTube views of its 2011 performance of LMFAO's "The Party Rock Anthem," more than 8 million views of its 2012 performance of Psy's "Gangnam Style” and more than 2 million views for its 2013 performance of Ylvis' "The Fox."
Gressler also highlighted the band’s extensive travels over the years, including spring 2013 performances in Dublin, Ireland, and Rome, Italy. He also wrote that more than 600 band alumni returned to campus during Ohio University's 2012 Homecoming weekend to honor former director Ronald P. Socciarelli, who had died earlier in the year.
The writer wrapped up the Marching 110's description by calling the nearly 250-member band "one of the most impressive sights ever seen on a football field."
In the 2007 CollegeSports-fans.com rankings, which were compiled by writer Michael Shull, the Marching 110 once again edged out second-place Ohio State University.
Shull wrote that the Marching 110 was great because of its physically demanding marching style, high-energy performances and halftime dances.
"It is a tremendous honor and we love being recognized for the hard work that we do," said Jared Halter, Marching 110 field commander. "We always strive to live by our motto, ‘Better Than The Best Ever,’ and we know that we cannot settle with rankings like these. We also know that this ranking could not be achieved without the support of the university and all of our incredible fans who make each trip onto the field worthwhile."
The Marching 110 will perform next during Ohio University's 2014 Homecoming Week, Oct. 6-11. The band annually performs during the Homecoming Parade on Saturday morning and the home football game on Saturday afternoon.
CollegeSports-fans.com describes itself as an online publication where fans across the globe come for a variety of college football, basketball and baseball news, opinions, resources and shopping options each day.
The 2014 Top Ten "Best College Marching Bands" list in order is:
1. Ohio University Marching 110
2. Ohio State University Marching Band
3. University of Michigan Marching Band
4. University of Southern California Trojan Marching Band
5. University of Texas-Austin Longhorn Band
6. Jackson State University Sonic Boom of the South
7. University of Illinois Marching Illini
8. Texas A&M Fightin' Texas Aggie Band
9. University of Tennessee-Knoxville Tennessee Pride of the Southland Band
10. Southern University Human Jukebox
For information about the Marching 110, visit www.marching110.org.