Homecoming

Cherrief Murray was in the band in Fall 2000-2002 as a member of Golden Delight Auxiliary Squad. She served as the Captain during 2002 season. She is also a member of Tau Beta Sigma National Honorary Band Sorority, Inc. She came back during homecoming to fellowship with her fellow Alumni.

MF: What did you enjoy about being in the band?

CM: Everything! I loved dancing/performing, the insane people who made up my band family, traveling, and hearing live music everyday!

MF: What are some of the types of things that you did while in the band?

CM: As a member of the Golden Delight Squad, we were given alot of control over what we did everyday. We don't have a choreographer so the advisor pulled from the girls' creativity and molded our ideas to make the shows! Also as a captain of the section, we were often delegated to run practice in her absence, giving us a chance to exert leadership by making sure squad tasks were completed, enforcing discipline, and molding the squad in our own way. Off the field, the girls participated in bonding activities like going to the movies, parties, and potluck dinners.

MF: Now that you are an Alumnus, what makes you excited about coming back?

CM: I'm excited every year to come back and see my band family. I literal family is really small, so my band members became the cousins, brothers, and sisters (staff were like aunts and uncles) that I never had. I honestly don't come back for the parties or the game (besides halftime). I come back to see my friends who are now scattered across the world. Just seeing their faces brings back memories of good times that I wish didn't have to end!


MF:What is your favorite part of homecoming?

CM: The tunnel of course! The final part of the band's performance is to form a tunnel to the band room and perform to drum cadences as each section goes through. Years of past Golden Delight members fall back in line and march next to their sisters one more time and relive the Golden Days! If I could still be marching, I would, but its the next best thing!


MF:What is something that the band does to fellowship with other Alumni during homecoming?

CM: It's an unwritten tradition that alumni band members show up to practice on Friday of homecoming. Some show up to see the show since they won't be in the stadium the next day; others show up just to see their friends and meet current members of their respective sections of the band. The members of the band fraternity and sorority, Kappa Kappa Psi and Tau Beta Sigma respectively, have a cookout on their plot after the game every year for everyone and usually has a breakfast Sunday just for the chapter. Also, the Alumni Band organization has a hospitality suite at the Sheraton every year.


MF:What did you most enjoy this year at homecoming with the band?

CM: The Halftime Show! This was one of the best Homecoming shows I've seen from the Blue & Gold Marching Machine! Golden Delight performed an awesome double feature including a dance where the flipped over chairs and a flag routine where they performed somersaults with a flag tucked under their legs!!! To top it off, they let the Alumni Band participate in the show and let everyone see that they still got it! People who marched in the 60's-70's were on the field next to people who graduate last year and it was exciting to see how much fun they were STILL having on the field!

Here are a Few Photos of Cherrief Murray during homecoming and other Alumni Members.