The Red and Black

Issue date: 10/22/08 Section: News

Media Credit: TRAVIS HUNT The Physical Plant has begun construction on IM Field 9 for the Redcoats' practice facility. [Click to enlarge]

For 100 years, the Redcoat Marching Band has been an integral part of the University but they have lacked a practice facility to call their own. Construction has started on a practice field for the Redcoat Band on Intramural Field 9.

"I don't know of any college marching band that does not have a place to rehearse or call home," said Michael Robinson, director of athletic bands.

"It's pretty typical that college bands will share fields with intramurals, but really, to have no consistent place is unheard of."

The band currently practices on Woodruff field, which is shared with the football team. The team has first priority and on some nights, the Redcoats' practice time is curtailed, Robinson said.

"(Sharing the field) cuts out a lot of rehearsal time. It will be nice to not have to wait. It means more productive work time for the group," said Christina Swoope, a junior from Alpharetta and one of the band's drum majors.

The project is divided into three phases:

Phase I is what the University currently is working on. It includes leveling the field, resurfacing the field and making it into a full football field. Lights and extra parking also will be constructed.

Phase II will include constructing a grandstand for the public to watch practice and a location for the director to run practice from.

Phase II will cost more than $1 million, which will be funded entirely from donations.

Phase III will involve replacing the grass with Astroturf.

"(Having our own practice field0 will be unbelievable, the fact that the band is as good as they are without their own place to call home and rehearse consistently (is impressive)," Robinson said.

"The Redcoat Band is a family; you could take us anywhere and have the same camaraderie," Swoope said.

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