​Mighty Marching Hornets Band Receives Tractor Trailer from Coca-Cola

Keep your eyes out for a big 18-wheeler tractor trailer wrapped with Alabama State University’s Mighty Marching Hornets branding rolling through your town or city across the nation very soon.  

On Monday, October 1, the Coca-Cola Bottling Company United presented ASU with the tractor trailer during a news conference outside of the ASU Stadium. The truck will be used to move the Marching Hornets’ instruments to and from various venues, becoming another rolling billboard for ASU.

Joining President Quinton T. Ross, Jr. at the presentation were Jim Winkler, Coca-Cola representative; Col. (ret.) Gregory Clark, vice president for Institutional Advancement and executive director of the ASU Foundation; Dr. James Oliver, band director; Dr. Wendy Coleman, dean of the College of Visual and Performing Arts; and other ASU faculty and staff.

“It’s a Great Time to be a Hornet. This is a statement to let you know that when the ‘best band in the land’ arrives anywhere, they will know that we are coming. We are so excited about this opportunity to display (our new truck)…This is a moving billboard, everyone.  This is enrollment, everyone.  A mobile billboard truck is a unique and eye-catching way to get information out to the student body and the larger community. People will know how to contact The Alabama State University, ‘Where History is Made.’ We are excited for our band, we are excited to display this awesome talent, and so excited about the collaborative partnership that came together to make all this possible,” Ross said.  

Ross made it a point to thank everyone who was involved. “I want to thank Col. Clark for his visionary leadership along with Dr. James Oliver. This is all a part of a collaborative partnership with our Provost Office, and with all who love, live and work here at Alabama State University,” Ross said.  

Oliver took the microphone with a standing ovation from the crowd.

“First, I want to thank President Ross for his leadership, for uniforms, for instruments. Thanks to the Vice President of Academics Affairs (Dr. Carl S. Pettis) who supported us and ensured we got those things as well. Thanks to Dr. Coleman, who has always been in our corner. And special thanks to Coca-Cola for just thinking about us, The Mighty Marching Hornets. We are a big part of this University, and we go out there every weekend to prove it, to show you that we love our alma mater and everything about it. This (tractor trailer) is part of recruitment for us. This is going to bring in more students, and like the President said, it’s going to let you know we are coming.  Coca-Cola, this will stay with us for a lifetime.”  

Winkler told the crowd that Monday’s presentation wasn’t about Coca-Cola.

“This is about the University. The Coca-Cola company has been around for a long time. It can’t be prouder of this University, its students, and our relationship. I think that’s enough said,” Winkler added.

Today, Clark said, is a good day to show everyone where history is made.

“Today we are here to continue to cement relationships between The Alabama State University and Coca-Cola United. More specifically, The Montgomery division of Coca-Cola United,” said Clark. “Students, on behalf of the President, we want to give you the best we can. We want you to remember your time at The Alabama State University so that you may go out into the world and do great things for O’ Mother Dear. So, remember this day…you got the best of the best. You got the best leadership team that’s pulling for you and that loves you,” Clark pointed out.

The event concluded with loud applause and the viewing of the Mighty Marching Hornets’ new tractor trailer.