Iowa State University's Cyclone Football Marching Band wins award

Iowa State University's Cyclone Football Marching Band recently took home the 2017-2019 Sudler Trophy from the John Philip Sousa Foundation, solidifying the band's position as one of the best in the country. 

The band was established at Iowa State in 1881 as the first of its kind. Today, the band is made up of 362 members and the performances by its musicians, color guard and other artists make it a favorite at the home football games of Iowa State and the annual ISU Band Extravaganza. 

The Sudler Trophy is granted biannually as a way of acknowledging the excellence of the band, not only in its current stage but also throughout its own history. The award can only be given to a school once.

Iowa State will receive the award in 2017 at a home football game by the Sudler Trophy Selection Committee Chairman Timothy Rhea, director of bands at Texas A&M University. 

Steven Smyth, associate director of bands at Iowa State since 2011, believes that winning the award is a great honor for the Cyclone Marching Band. 

"This is as close to a national championship as it gets for college marching bands, and we’ll be celebrating for the next two years," he said.

The trophy will be displayed in Jacobsen Building and Music Hall on campus at Iowa State University.