SU Marching Band to perform at Heisman Memorial Trophy Gala Dec. 12

Syracuse University’s “Pride of the Orange” Marching Band (SUMB) has been invited to perform at the 77th Annual Heisman Memorial Trophy Gala on Monday, Dec. 12, at the Marriott Marquis in New York City.

The Heisman Memorial Trophy annually recognizes the outstanding college football player whose performance best exhibits the pursuit of excellence with integrity. The gala reception and awards presentation dinner honors the 2011 winner—who will be announced on Saturday, Dec. 10—as well as 2011 Heisman Humanitarian Award recipient Marty Lyons. Renowned SU football player and 1961 Heisman winner Ernie Davis ’62, the first African American to win the trophy, will be honored posthumously. The SUMB will be featured throughout the event, portions of which will be aired on the ESPN family of networks.

“We are thrilled to participate in such a high-profile event, especially given the fact that we will have the chance to honor one of our own: the legendary Ernie Davis,” says Justin J. Mertz, director of the SUMB and assistant director of bands at SU. “The SUMB has a long-standing tradition of excellence in representing Syracuse University, and we look forward to bringing some of that tradition to one of college football’s most dignified and enduring institutions.”

The 200-member SUMB performs for all home football games in the 49,262-seat Carrier Dome. Based in the Rose, Jules R. and Stanford S. Setnor School of Music in SU’s College of Visual and Performing Arts (VPA), it is one of the finest university marching band programs in the nation and the flagship college band in the state of New York. The band is made up of students representing all majors throughout the University.

For more information about the Heisman Memorial Trophy Gala, visit http://www.heisman.com.