Gainesville, Fla. — The Villages High School marching band is set to partake in the first full Saturday of the college football season today in Gainesville. 

The Marching Buffalo will participate alongside the University of Florida's Gator Marching Band during the season opener between the Florida Gators and the Long Island Sharks at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, with kickoff set for 7 p.m. in Gainesville.

Under the direction of Colt Campbell, VHS was selected as one of 14 schools to participate at the game. The Marching Buffalo are slated to play during the game in the grandstands and on the field during halftime.

"This is a great opportunity for our students to step into the college game day experience in the eyes of a marching band member," Campbell said. "It highlights some of the places music can take them. Many colleges offer scholarships for band members, and the skills gained translate well to careers in music, education and more." 

This annual high-school-to-college participation program featured an application process and will include all members of the Marching Buffalo. The game will be broadcast on SEC Network+ and live-streamed via ESPN+.

"Our motto has always been, 'Great Band, Better People,'" Campbell said. "We hope that the students who come through our band program will apply the skills and life lessons they learn with us into their daily lives."


Cody Hills can be reached for questions or comment via email at cody.hills@tvcs.org.