THE GREATEST SHOW ON EARTH CAN BE A FAMILY TRADITION

Attending the Florida Classic has been a family tradition through six generations. We have attended this event every year for the past 60 years.

The Classic is the event where a spectacular half-time show is interrupted by a football game in a stadium that holds 75,000 people. This event is by far the Greatest Show on Earth.

My parents attended Florida A&M University (FAMU) and were devoted Rattler fans. I caught Rattler fever many years ago while I was in the crib.

FAMU's long time rival was Bethune Cookman University (BCU). While both schools excel academically, no one would dispute that these marching bands are the heart and soul of both universities.

The movie Drumline was based on the work of Dr. William Foster and the 400-member FAMU band, known as the Marching 100. President Bill Clinton personally invited the FAMU band to perform in the 52nd and 53rd Inaugural Parades.

The Marching 100 has appeared in three movies and five Super Bowls. They have been featured on 60 Minutes and on the cover of Sports Illustrated. The band was the official United States Representative for the French Bastille Day Parade in 1989.

FAMU's band is a recipient of the prestigious Sudler Marching Band Trophy. The Sudler Trophy is awarded annually to a college or university marching band which has demonstrated the highest quality 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 over a period of years.

Every year, hundreds try out for the Marching 100 but only the very best is chosen. FAMU is known for their Death Spiral, which is only 20 steps per minute, and for Triple Time, 360 steps per minute.

The Bethune Marching Wildcats, on the other hand, have approximately 300 instrumental band members and 14 female dancers, known as the 14 Karat Gold Dancers. The incredibly talented percussion section, many of whom appeared in Drumline, was awarded the 2006 Cadillac commercial unveiling the new Cadillac DTS.

From the beginning of the schools' musical rivalry, FAMU always had the upper hand. It was difficult for BCU to keep up with FAMU because FAMU had a larger, more talented band. Dr. Foster's incredible creativity with 30 marching band patents, allowed FAMU to present new and exciting shows each year. The even played the Flight of the Bumble Bee while lying flat on

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