Mississippi State University’s Famous Maroon Band has won the Heisman-equivalent of awards handed out biannually to the top college marching bands.
The group is the most recent recipient of the national Sudler Trophy, considered the highest honor a collegiate marching band can receive. Presented every two years by the John Philip Sousa Foundation, the trophy is awarded to a college or university marching band demonstrating “the highest of musical standards and innovative marching routines and ideas, and which has made important contributions to the advancement of the performance standards of college marching bands.”
“The band’s contributions to our university community reach far beyond the stadium or performance field. Its members are leaders in the classroom, ambassadors for our institution, and exemplary representatives of the values we hold dear at Mississippi State,” Mississippi State President Mark Keenum, whose daughter, Katie, is a trumpet section leader, wrote in support of the band’s nomination for the award.
“Their tireless work, countless hours of rehearsal, and dedication to precision embody the spirit of determination and pride that defines our university.”
Presented annually from 1982-2007, the Sudler Trophy has been presented every other year since then through a grant from Louis and Virginia Sudler. The Famous Maroon Band is the 35th collegiate marching band to receive the award and the only one ever to achieve the honor in the state. Elva Kaye Lance, Mississippi State’s director of bands, said the award is a testament to the band’s rich legacy and the many people who contribute to its success.
“We are very humbled by this recognition,” Lance said. “There have been thousands of students who have proudly worn the uniform, and those of us who are serving as leaders of the band program at this time recognize we are standing on the shoulders of those who have served as members and leaders of the Famous Maroon Band throughout its rich history.”
Since its founding in 1902, the Famous Maroon Band has achieved national and international acclaim. Along with regular performances at football and basketball games, the band has made appearances in the Mississippi Governor’s inaugural parade, numerous bowl games, and national basketball tournaments. Additionally, its wind ensemble has performed internationally in Austria, the Czech Republic, England, Germany, Ireland, Italy, and Spain.
With its impact extending far beyond performance venues, the band hosts approximately 850 high school students for various events throughout the year on campus. Band faculty regularly present clinics and workshops throughout the state and region, including annual band director workshops as well as student leadership training.
Band members also participate in multiple charity events each year, from the Children’s Miracle Network Dance Marathon to the National Bone Marrow Registry, of which the FMB is one of the top participants in the country among college bands. The Sudler Trophy will be presented to the Famous Maroon Band during the fall 2026 football season.