Jackson State marching band to play free show before UNLV game
A day before Jackson State takes on UNLV, its marching band will take the field.
The Rebels open their schedule with Jackson State on Sept. 1 at 7 p.m. at Sam Boyd Stadium. The Tigers’ band, named the Sonic Boom of the South, will perform Aug. 31 at the Pearson Community Center in North Las Vegas, the schools announced Wednesday.
Doors open at 5 p.m. and speakers and performances and scheduled from 6-7 p.m.
UNLV also announced its first home game in 2017 and 2018 also will be against a historically black college. The opponent for either year has not been determined.
Jackson State finished 3-9 playing in the Southwestern Athletic Conference last season. The Tigers lost their first game of the season last year 70-14 to Middle Tennessee.
“To be able to bring that performance to Las Vegas is huge to not only bring in the Jackson State fans but also for the locals to see that type of performance. It’s incredible,” LVCVA senior director of communications Jeremy Handel said.
Jackson State, a historically black college that boasts Pro Football Hall of Famers Walter Payton, Jackie Slater and Lem Barney as alumni, is playing UNLV for the first time since 1975.
The Tigers’ marching band will also play during the game at halftime.
“I think it’s a great deal for Vegas. We’re an energetic city, they’re an energetic university,” Rebels coach Tony Sanchez said. “Their band along with our band will be a real entertaining group to watch. I might sneak out at halftime to watch the band.”
