Courtesy of Savannah State University
Savannah State University (SSU) is one of four Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) to be featured in Bally Sports South and Bally Sports Southeast’s annual Black History Month series, “Empowering Athletes: A Celebration of HBCUs.” The series will showcase the culture and traditions of student-athletes, coaches and administrators.
The vignette featuring SSU provides a behind-the-scenes look at the award-winning Powerhouse of the South marching band and its impact on athletes and athletic events. Assistant Professor of Music and Director of University Bands, Gabriel Arnold, Ph.D., is interviewed, along with three SSU students: Head Drum Major LaErica Smith, Drum Major Deante Hillman, and band member Sydney Glenn.
“You are definitely not a number at an HBCU,” said Smith. “You are seen as a person first. A person with dreams and goals and aspirations. They are going to help you along the way, and they are going to point you in the right direction if they can’t help you themselves. It takes a village, and at an HBCU, it is definitely a village that wants to see you succeed.”