Fayetteville State’s Marching Bronco Xpress Advances to ESPN’s 2025 National Championship in Historic First

FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. – The Marching Bronco Xpress is making history for Fayetteville State University, earning a coveted spot on the national stage that honors the finest marching bands from historically Black colleges and universities. The ensemble will proudly take the spotlight in the 2025 Red Lobster Band of the Year National Championship, produced by ESPN Events, on Dec. 12 at Atlanta's Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

This milestone marks the band’s triumphant first championship appearance since the competition began three years ago, celebrating the Marching Bronco Xpress’s ascent into the top tier of Division II bands - a distinction reserved for elite HBCUs with similar enrollment sizes and resources. In a thrilling final, the Broncos will face the reigning Division II National Champions, the Golden Bears of Miles College.

Reaching this level of recognition is a remarkable achievement. The journey to the championship has been fiercely competitive, fueled by a season-long commitment to excellence. Each fall, bands proudly submit official halftime shows for adjudication, where judges celebrate musicality, tone quality, ensemble balance, marching technique, drill design precision, percussion, auxiliary coordination, and the overall impact of each performance. 

Monthly rankings keep excitement and anticipation sky-high throughout the season. Fayetteville State finished the 2025 ranking cycle with an impressive total score of 830.75, firmly securing its place in the final committee review.

Austin Chalmers, director of bands and lecturer at FSU, highlighted the profound significance of this achievement for both the university and his students.

“This moment is the result of years of support from the FSU administration, hard work by our outstanding students, and relentless commitment to musical excellence,” said Chalmers. “Our students have set a new standard for representing the Marching Bronco Xpress of Fayetteville State University on the national stage as we compete for the Division II HBCU Band Championship. Being recognized by ESPN for their musicianship, precision, and creative field shows is a testament to their talent and perseverance. Watching them grow from preseason band camp in August to this extraordinary achievement has been incredibly rewarding. We are honored to carry the Bronco spirit and the HBCU marching tradition forward with pride and purpose.”

This championship appearance catapults FSU onto the national stage, brilliantly showcasing the university’s pride, spirit, and cherished traditions. For the Marching Bronco Xpress, it is a thrilling moment to champion the vibrant and dynamic culture of HBCU bands, one of the fastest-growing platforms in collegiate arts today.

In the coming weeks, students will focus their excitement on intensive rehearsals. They will perfect their championship performances, preparing for an electrifying and unforgettable showcase before thousands of fans, fellow musicians, and HBCU supporters.

“This event marks an unforgettable milestone not just for Fayetteville State University, but for the entire Fayetteville community,” said Chalmers. “We invite everyone to join in our excitement and stand with us as we prepare for this historic December performance. Your support means everything to our students, and together we’ll make this a moment to remember.”

For ticket information, visit www.bandoftheyear.com. The championship will also be broadcast live on ESPN+ and ESPN3 at 7 p.m., inviting fans everywhere to join in the celebration and witness the Marching Bronco Xpress make history on the national stage.