West Chester U.'S “INCOMPARABLE” Golden Rams Marching Band Awarded Prestigious Sudler Trophy

Press release from West Chester University:

September 18, 2019

As a recipient of the award, WCU’s “INCOMPARABLE” Golden Rams Marching Band joins
the ranks of marching bands from top Division I schools including Ohio State University,
Penn State University, University of Notre Dame and others. In all, 32 recipients
have been honored with the Sudler Trophy since the award’s inception in 1982.

In addition to representatives from the Sousa Foundation, on-hand to accept the trophy were
the band’s current 324 members, hundreds of alumni of the band, fans attending the
game, and four generations of “INCOMPARABLE” Golden Rams Band Directors dating back
to 1968:

Dr. James Wells ’54 – marching band director from 1968 – 1992, and the Wells
School of Music’s namesake Dr. John Villella ’76, M ‘82, current vice president for University Affairs
and chief of staff – marching band director from 1992-2007 Dr. Andrew Yozviak ‘91, current director of bands – marching band director
from 2007-2018 Professor Adam Gumble ’05 M’16 - current director of athletic bands and marching
band director

The trophy, designed by distinguished artist Ed Blackwell, sits atop a marble base
and consists of a bronze drum major astride a football stadium. It measures exactly
22½ inches from the base to the tip of the drum major's mace; precisely the size of
a standard 8 to 5 step in marching. It will be on display in the Wells School of Music
for the next two years.

John Villella, former band director current vice president for University Affairs
and chief of staff says, “This is a significant award in the history of our beloved
‘INCOMPARABLE’ Golden Rams. Our band has thrilled fans with top-notch performances
for well over 100 years and we are justifiably proud of our program and this legacy
of excellence.”

About "INCOMPARABLE" Golden Rams Marching Band

The Golden Rams Marching Band performs regularly at WCU football games, numerous exhibition events throughout the
region and at special events for the university and community. The band has performed
at Pittsburgh Steelers, Philadelphia Eagles, New York Jets, New York Giants and Washington
Redskins football games. The group has been featured during Philadelphia Phillies
World Series appearances, marched in New York’s Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and
the Philadelphia Thanksgiving Day Parade. The Golden Rams have performed in exhibition
at the 2013 Atlanta Regional, the 2012 Pittsburgh Regional, and at the Bands of America
Grand National Championships in both 2009 and 2018.

Golden Rams Marching Band

This press release was produced by West Chester University. The views expressed here are the author’s own.