Heart of the bulldog spirit: The legacy of the Redcoat Marching Band
University of Georgia Redcoat Marching Band members yell before the Georgia vs. Missouri game at Sanford Stadium in Athens, Georgia, on Saturday, Nov. 4, 2023. (Photo/Laney Martin; @LaneyMartinPhotography)
When football season is in full swing, it is common to hear about the sport nonstop. Gameday creates chaos in town. Those visiting Athens for games are worried about parking and tailgating. Fans are consumed by the lives of the players, what they do around campus and their future plans. The score becomes life-or-death for fans, who will be upset at worst, or party afterwards at best. In the noise of wins and losses, the Redcoats remain consistent, ever-present at games to excite the crowd, and bring energy to the game.
Behind the hedges, the University of Georgia Redcoat Marching Band is a massive part of gameday. The Redcoats perform and march to well-known tunes like “Hail to Georgia” and “Battle Hymn of the Bulldog Nation” at every football game. With over 400 members across all different types of majors, the Redcoat Band keeps up with deep traditions, despite students graduating, moving away and having their spots filled by other members over the years.
In 1905, the Redcoat Marching Band was founded as a section of the UGA Military Department, with 20 military cadets with little musical experience making up the band. One of those former cadets was Hugh Hodgson, who became UGA’s first official music professor when the school created a specialized music department. The band eventually expanded to involve students outside of the military.
Roger and Phyllis Dancz began their Redcoat involvement in 1955 and altered the workflow of the band, adding majorettes and pushing more students to join by recruiting through high schools. With the 1975 addition of director Gary Teske, a Syracuse University graduate, the band expanded and routines became modernized.
Today, Brett Bawcum directs the band, and the Redcoats annually perform at over 100 various events. Students from all across the university are welcome to join after a successful audition, no matter what year or major.
“My favorite part is definitely performing pregame, especially before night games. It’s so much fun. I feel like we’re a big contributor to the atmosphere of those home games,” drum major Eleazar “Ele” Louis said. “Pregame just kind of gets the crowd ready and all fired up. Especially when we do Krypton, when the team is coming out of the tunnel and just the stadium erupting. It’s a great feeling.”
