An event for the ages

By: Chris Lundy

Posted: 11/16/06

As halftime approaches, most fans head to the stands to grab a hot dog, nachos and Coke.

This wasn't true at Jacksonville State University for the Marching Southerners reunion.

The Marching Southerners held their 50th Anniversary presentation during halftime of the JSU vs. Samford game on Saturday, Nov. 11.

It was one of the biggest events in the history of the university, and will be one of the most memorable for those in attendance and for those who participated.

Gamecock fans kept their eyes on the field and their bodies out of the bathroom lines as the Southerners performed a snippet of their usual halftime show.

Five of the Southerners marched in various suits that have been worn over the years in front of the current Southerners.

After a duet by trumpet players Adam Daniel and Dalton Gilreath, the colorguard twirled flags representing each year the Southerners have been in existence from 1956 to 2006.

As the show continued, the Ballerinas revealed oversized pictures of Marching Southerner members and band directors from previous years.

The field turned from green to red as Southerners alumni marched onto the field to perform with the students.

Roughly 1,400 Southerners, old and new, turned up the volume as they performed their unofficial theme "Stars Fell On."

As the public address announcer went through some historic events from the Southerners' past, the band continued to awe the crowd.

For the members, it was an honor having two esteemed directors returned for the anniversary.

Dr. John Finley, the first director of the Southerners, and Dr. David Walters, who directed the Southerners for 30 years, gathered the attention of the band and the fans as they conducted from the red seats of Paul Snow Stadium while current director Ken Bodiford watched from behind them.

Finley's commanding yet approachable demeanor sparked the Southerners while Walters' laid-back mood eased the band as they entertained the crowd and performed his original arrangement "Quilting Party," with the Ballerinas dancing and the Southerners singing.

"You could tell we were all into it," saidsaxophone player Amanda Dawson. "It was great having them come back and direct for those moments."

As the announcer continued with the history narrative, the current and past drum majors conducted the Southerners while they performed pieces of songs from the past 50 years.

From the Spanish theme of the 80s to the current tone of the 21st century, the Southerners have stayed the same stylistically and professionally.

"It was great having the alumni come back and watching everyone interact," Bodiford said. "Some old friendships were rekindled, and I think everyone left with a really good taste in their mouths."

Bodiford and the Southerners concluded the halftime presentation with another tradition of JSU, the fight song.

The event will be one for Southerners young and old to talk about, at least until the next reunion.

"This weekend was fantastic," said Ballerina Brittany Barton. "It was amazing having everyone from 1956 to 2006 come back and it was a blast. I can't wait to come back 50 years later and kick my legs up again to show up all of the young ballerinas, but I wouldn't consider myself young."

Trumpet player Adam Daniel will remember his performance and the chance to get to meet former Southerners.

"It was amazing getting to hear about the 'old days'," said Daniel.