2024 ESPN Band of the Year Rankings for Division I and Division II HBCU Bands

The highly anticipated first installment of the 2024 ESPN Band of the Year rankings for Division I and Division II HBCU bands has been released, and the results are in. The rankings were determined by a committee of experts, including Jackson State Director of Bands Emeritus, Professor Dowell Taylor, and Dr. Julian E. White, FAMU Director of Bands Emeritus.

In Division I, North Carolina A&T University claimed the top spot with a total of 323.5 points, showcasing their excellence in musicality, drill and design, percussion, drum majors, and auxiliaries. Southern University and Norfolk State University followed closely behind in second and third place, respectively.

Meanwhile, in Division II, Miles College took the lead with 293 points, demonstrating their prowess in drum major, percussion, musicality, and design. Florida Memorial and Virginia State University secured the second and third positions in the rankings.

The rankings will be updated in late October, with the top 15 bands being narrowed down to the top 10 in each division. The November ranking will further reduce the list to the top five in each division. The final ranking will determine the top two teams in each division, who will compete for the prestigious ESPN Band of the Year title on December 13 in Atlanta.

The competition is fierce, and the bands are ready to showcase their talent and skills as they vie for the ultimate recognition in the HBCU band community. Stay tuned for more updates on this exciting journey to crown the ESPN Band of the Year.