Photo Caption: The Marching Southerners were presented the 2022 Sudler Trophy at halftime of the Nov. 12 football game.

Photo Caption: Given to one collegiate marching band every two years, the Sudler Trophy is the band equivalent of winning the Heisman Trophy. JSU is the smallest university ever to win the trophy since the awards program was created 40 years ago.

Jailon Lawrence of Meridianville, Alabama, was among the generations of JSU Marching Southerners presented the prestigious Sudler Trophy from the John Phillip Sousa Foundation during halftime of the final Gamecock home football game of the season on Nov. 12.

Given to one collegiate marching band every two years, the Sudler Trophy is the band equivalent of winning the Heisman Trophy. JSU is the smallest university ever to win the trophy since the awards program was created 40 years ago.

Established in 1982, the Sudler Trophy recognizes collegiate marching bands of particular excellence that have made outstanding contributions to the American way of life. It is awarded biannually to a college or university marching band that has demonstrated the highest musical standards, the most innovative marching routines and ideas, and has made important contributions to the advancement of college marching band performance standards.