SC State’s Marching 101 builds on tradition with bigger band, bigger opportunities
Marching 101 set to perform Sept. 13 at HBCU Battle of the Bands in Savannah
“We’re looking forward to a bigger band this year. We did some exceptional recruiting,
and we’re excited to welcome 12 students from the Bahamas to the program, which we’re
excited about,” said Dr. J. William Nicholas, SC State’s director of bands.
“We always want to put on an entertaining show for our fans, but we are excited about
traveling with a bigger band and being able to accept some larger performances. We
were invited to the National Battle of the Bands in January of this year. We’re hoping
for another invitation,” Nicholas said.
The band is gearing up for the 2026 Big HBCU Battle of the Bands: Battle for the South,
set for 4-7 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 13, at Theodore A. Wright Stadium in Savannah, Georgia.
“Savannah State University is hosting it. It’s more of an exhibition. Some of our season rivals will be there, but it’ll be an opportunity to do just band that day. It won’t be attached to a football game,” Nicholas said.
Nicholas recalled the band’s experience performing at the 10th annual Celebration Bowl in Atlanta on Dec. 13, 2025, when SC State secured a four-overtime victory.
“Oh, now that was crazy because it was my first couple of months on the job, but then it was like, ‘Yeah, actually we’re going to the championship.’ So that came at us really quickly, and what a game that was. We’re happy to be on the winning side of it, but that was a crazy, exciting and exhilarating game right up to the very end,” Nicholas said.
Developing the Marching 101 culture
“We’re excited about continuing to develop that culture. I say all the time the way we do anything is the way we do everything. These are lessons that they can take with them beyond the band program,” Nicholas said.
Having more students also expands what the band can do, he said.
“That kind of changes what we can do musically, and that gives us some opportunities in places where they may not have existed before with fewer people,” Nicholas said.
Nicholas said the band is excited about continuing to travel and participate in major performances.
“I had a call from the Carolina Panthers. So we’re working on a little something there. We’re excited about continuing to represent our national championship brand at the highest level,” he said.
“Having a big, strong band brings eyes to your institution, and we serve more than just music majors. So attracting students to the institution is about more than just studying music. If a person goes off to be the next Supreme Court justice, then we’ve done our part as an institution,” Nicholas said.
Students find growth, discipline and camaraderie in Marching 101
“I’m more excited to see how my first time on the field on the collegiate level will be. I’m real excited to show that this program has brought a different side and more tenacity out of me,” Whitted said.
Seeing the band perform in Charlotte as a high school sophomore helped solidify his decision to join Marching 101.
“It actually brought a fire and a determination within me to want to be in the band and take it to another level. That’s when I knew. When I saw them, I was like, ‘Oh my gosh, I want to be a part of this band,’” Whitted said.
Khristian Sprinkle, a senior music industry major from Orangeburg, South Carolina, serves as the band’s head drum major.
Sprinkle said performing at the Celebration Bowl was a memorable experience.
“Having gone the year before, it was a different feeling this time as a drum major at the Celebration Bowl. It had a different type of excitement to it, especially with us coming out on top and winning the title. It was just a great experience,” he said.
Sprinkle wanted to be part of a band from the time he learned to walk and talk.
“It was something I always wanted to do. My favorite part about being a part of the band, especially the 101, is the tradition and just the camaraderie with everyone, especially the drum majors, because this was always my goal in the end,” he said.
Sprinkle said his experience in the band also contributes to his success as a student.
“It really helps you in the end in being a successful student,” Sprinkle said.
Lamiyah Henderson, a senior psychology major from Greenville, South Carolina, is co-captain of the band’s Champagne Dancers.
She is looking forward to experiencing the same energy from Bulldog fans that she experienced at the Celebration Bowl.
“Seeing so many people be able to make it there, it just lights up the whole stadium. It’s just like a good feeling. It’s a completely different vibe,” Henderson said.
Henderson said she is excited about the things Nicholas has in store for the band and enjoys the bond the members share.
“With a new band director, I’m excited to see the work and effort he put in, plus I feel like everybody is on board. I just can’t wait to really see that at the Big HBCU Battle of the Bands,” Henderson said.
She said the band has helped her beyond the classroom.
“It helped me learn to prioritize and practice time management and know that if I didn’t do well in school, I wouldn’t be able to perform. So it pushed me to go hard and continue to just be a better person,” Henderson said.