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Color Guard Opener Flag, Marching Southerners 1987
The Marching Southerners
The 1987 Jacksonville State University Marching Southerners were under the direction of Dr. David L. Walters and the field direction of drum majors Ken Bodiford and Jeff Gossett. Shown is the color guard flag used during the opener in Fall 1987 performances.
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Marching Band Shako Hat, Front View, Marching Southerners, Members 1983-1994
Alyssa Cash
A black shako hat with eagle emblem and white plume, worn by JSU Marching Southerners members 1983 to 1994.
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Marching Band Shako Hat, Side View, Marching Southerners, Members 1983-1994
Alyssa Cash
A black shako hat with eagle emblem and white plume, worn by JSU Marching Southerners members 1983 to 1994.
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Marching Band Uniform, Marching Southerners, Members 1983-1994
Alyssa Cash
Grey pants with black stripe, red and white jacket with ruffled insert comprised the JSU Marching Southerners uniform for members 1983 to 1994.
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Early Years of the Southerners
John T. Finley
Dr. John T. Finley was Director of Bands at Jacksonville State Teachers College (now Jacksonville State University) from 1951-1959, and later Head of the Department of Music. He retired in 1980. He oversaw the formation of the Marching Southerners in 1956. While Jax State had bands dating back to its time as a Normal School, the Marching Southerners debuted a new style of performance. In this overview, probably written around the time of his retirement, Dr. Finley describes the Southerners' early years, with a focus on its evolving style and techniques.
This digital copy of the original document was provided by Jim Schoeneck, a former student of Dr. Finley's, in July 2025.
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Marching Band Uniform, Marching Southerners, Color Guard circa 1977-1979
Alyssa Cash
White and pink top with red diagonal stripe, navy or black skirt with two white stripes at the bottom. This was a JSU Marching Southerners uniform, possibly color guard or flag members circa 1977-1979.
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Marching Band Uniform, Marching Southerners, Members 1975-1982
Alyssa Cash
White top with red stripe, red and black cummerbund, and black pants comprised the JSU Marching Southerners uniform for members 1975 to 1982.
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Drum Major Shako Hat and Boots, Marching Southerners circa 1967-1969
Alyssa Cash
A white drum major shako hat with red cords and white boots, both worn by circa 1967-1969 JSU Marching Southerners drum major Homer Smith. [Hat and boots donation courtesy of Homer Smith]
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Drum Major Shako Hat, Marching Southerners circa 1967-1969
Alyssa Cash
A white drum major shako hat with red cords, worn by circa 1967-1969 JSU Marching Southerners drum major Homer Smith. [Hat donation courtesy of Homer Smith]
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Marching Band Uniform, Marching Southerners, Members 1968-1974
Alyssa Cash
Grey uniform with red stripes on pants, red JSU band at sleeves, red front with buttons, and white cords comprised the JSU Marching Southerners uniform for members 1968 to 1974.
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Marching Band Shako Hat, Front View, Marching Southerners, Members 1967-1982
Alyssa Cash
A grey and red shako hat with "J" emblem and white plume, worn by JSU Marching Southerners members circa 1967 to 1982.
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Marching Band Shako Hat, Side View, Marching Southerners, Members 1967-1982
Alyssa Cash
A grey and red shako hat with "J" emblem and white plume, worn by JSU Marching Southerners members circa 1967 to 1982.
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Pennant, Jax State Band Day, 1967
Alyssa Cash
A red pennant used at Jacksonville State University reads, "Jax State Band Day 1967."
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Sheet Music, 1966 "69" Drum Cadence
Jerry Mitchell
"69" (October 27, 1966) for snare, tenor, bass, and timbale was composed by alumni Jerry Mitchell. Jerry Mitchell was a member of the Southerners drum corps 1964-1969.
Mr. Jerry Mitchell on the title, "This was our graduating class."
The original documents were loaned by Jerry Mitchell and digitized in March 2026.
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Sheet Music, 1966 "Maudine Graunch" Drum Cadence
Jerry Mitchell
"Maudine Graunch" (1966) for snare and tenor was composed by alumni Jerry Mitchell. Jerry Mitchell was a member of the Southerners drum corps 1964-1969.
Mr. Jerry Mitchell titled this piece after a woman named Maudine whom he encountered during a drummer rookie initiation at Emma Sansom High School (Gadsden, AL).
The original documents were loaned by Jerry Mitchell and digitized in March 2026.
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Sheet Music, 1965 "Snickumfrix" Drum Cadence
Jerry Mitchell
"Snickumfrix" for snare and tenor (December 30-31, 1965) was composed by alumni Jerry Mitchell. Jerry Mitchell was a member of the Southerners drum corps 1964-1969.
Mr. Jerry Mitchell on the title: "I think because I love Snickers candy bars. I just had to play on that word. So it's just named after Snickers candy bars."
The original documents were loaned by Jerry Mitchell and digitized in March 2026.
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Sheet Music, 1964 "Heidi" Drum Cadence
Jerry Mitchell
The first cadence written by alumni Jerry Mitchell was "Heidi" (October 11, 1964 and November 30, 1964), bringing rudimental drumming to Jacksonville State College. Jerry Mitchell was a member of the Southerners drum corps 1964-1969. "Heidi" is the drum cadence that is used to march onto the field (now in 2026) at Marching Southerners Alumni reunion games.
Mr. Jerry Mitchell on the title: “I remember when I was on campus as a freshman everybody would say “Howdy! Howdy! Howdy!” I just kind of made a play on that, and it didn't make a lot of sense, but I love it. Everybody assumed it was a girl, instead of a play on howdy.”
The original documents were loaned by Jerry Mitchell and digitized in March 2026.
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Sheet Music, "Nancy" Drum Cadence
Jerry Mitchell and David L. Walters
"Nancy" for snare and tenor was composed by alumni Jerry Mitchell. Jerry Mitchell was a member of the Southerners drum corps 1964-1969.
Dr. David L. Walter's notated the snare drum part for "Nancy" after the original was lost.
Mr. Jerry Mitchell on the title, "Nancy is an old girlfriend's name."
The original documents were loaned by Jerry Mitchell and digitized in March 2026.
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Drum Major Shako Hat, Front View, Marching Southerners circa 1961 or 1962
Alyssa Cash
An all-white drum major shako hat, possibly worn by JSU Marching Southerners drum major Freddie Pollard (Fall 1961) or Skip Pittman (Fall 1962). [Hat donation courtesy of Homer Smith]
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Drum Major Shako Hat, Marching Southerners, and Note
Alyssa Cash
An all-white drum major shako hat, possibly worn by JSU Marching Southerners drum major Freddie Pollard (Fall 1961) or Skip Pittman (Fall 1962). [Hat donation courtesy of former drum major Homer Smith]
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Drum Major Shako Hat, Side View, Marching Southerners circa 1961 or 1962
Alyssa Cash
An all-white drum major shako hat, possibly worn by JSU Marching Southerners drum major Freddie Pollard (Fall 1961) or Skip Pittman (Fall 1962). [Hat donation courtesy of Homer Smith]
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Ballerina Traditional Uniform, Marching Southerners, circa 1959-1960
Alyssa Cash
A white traditional ballerina uniform with red turtleneck, worn by 1959-1960 JSU Marching Southerners 2nd Ballerina Captain Frances Molan. Uniform designed by Helen and Frances Molan.
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Marching Band Shako Hat, Front View, Marching Southerners, Members 1956-1966
Alyssa Cash
A grey and red shako hat with eagle emblem and red plume, worn by JSU Marching Southerners members circa 1956 to 1966.
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Marching Band Shako Hat, Side View, Marching Southerners, Members 1956-1966
Alyssa Cash
A grey and red shako hat with eagle emblem and red plume, worn by JSU Marching Southerners members circa 1956 to 1966.
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Marching Band Uniform, Marching Southerners, Members 1956-1967
Alyssa Cash
Grey uniform with red embellishments and yellow "J's" on both sleeves comprised the JSU Marching Southerners uniform for members 1956 to 1967.