Athens, Ga. – The University of Georgia Redcoat Marching Band will dedicate its new practice field at 5:30 p.m. on Nov. 5 at the intramural fields off College Station Road.
The event will feature a performance of the band’s halftime show, refreshments and remarks by UGA President Michael F. Adams; Dale Monson, director of the Hugh Hodgson School of Music; and band members Katie Rogers and Christina Swoope.
The completion of the field marks a unique and important moment in the band’s 104-year history, said Michael Robinson, director of athletic bands at UGA.
“This is the first time that Redcoats have had a practice facility of their very own,” he said. “Typically we’ve used the same field for practice as the football team does, which can limit the amount of rehearsal time we both have. When you only rehearse two or three times per week, it’s important to be able to count on getting all of that time.”
Work on the field began last year and included installing a retaining wall, drainage system and perimeter lighting to enable night practice. Funding for the renovations came from the President’s Venture Fund.
Phase II of field development will include a full-service complex with stadium seats for 200-300 spectators, an instructional tower, and storage and bathroom facilities.
When not in use by the Redcoat Band, the field will be made available to the department of recreational sports for intramural activities.
For more information on the Redcoat Band, see http://bands.music.uga.edu/redcoats/.
