Prairie View A&M voted 2015 HBCU band of the year

PRAIRIE VIEW, TX (KTRK) -- Prairie View's marching band, the Marching storm has earned major bragging rights. In a recent poll conducted by Historically Black Colleges and Universities, or HBCUs The Marching Storm was voted 2015 Band of the Year.

The Band of the Year contest was sponsored by HBCUsports.com.

More than a half million votes were cast for HBCU Marching Band of the Year and the Marching Storm from Prairie View came out on top.

We knew we were the best band," said Marching Storm Drum Major, Bria Douglas. "Now it was like, 'wow someone voted for us to be the best band,' our hard work paid off."

About 270 strong, the Marching Storm blows onto the field during halftime shows at Prairie View A&M.

This year, the band beat out all perennial heavyweights like Southern and Grambling State to win Band of the Year among all HBCUs. You can call it a championship season.

"It's like a fighter from today beating Muhammed Ali," said band captain, Ghandi Sherman.

Band Captain Ghandi Sherman and Drum Major Bria Douglas both followed band director Dr. Tim Zackery here from Norfolk State University. They've helped him rebuild the band into a national powerhouse.

"Prairie View has always had a very famous marching band," said Zackery. "I think we're getting back to that apex that we were once at."

He says making academics the top priority has helped turn things around.

"People stay here longer, therefore I don't have to teach as hard every year," said Zackery.

The band does not get any prize for winning band of the year, but they say this new level of recognition and all that comes with it are prize enough.