Pride of Niner Nation Makes Debut

The UNC Charlotte “Pride of Niner Nation” Marching Band is ready for its inaugural season! The band made its debut on August 22 at a special preview for family and donors, followed on August 24 by the New Student Convocation, where it performed the UNC Charlotte Alma Mater and 49ers Fight Song. 

The Pride of Niner Nation marching band.

Beginning with the first home game on September 12, the Pride of Niner Nation will perform pre-game and halftime shows at all Charlotte 49ers home games this fall.

Band members began preparations this summer with a two-week band camp, August 9-22. Under the leadership of Director of Athletic Bands Jeff Miller, the marching band staff, and the Pride of Niner Nation drum majors and section leaders, the musicians and color guard worked 12-hour days to learn the drill.

“We are making history each day, and I love being a part of each step,” says drum major Quinten Wrenn, a music education major. “I am looking forward to all of the "firsts" for the Pride of Niner Nation Marching Band.”

Jeff Miller

The inaugural Pride of Niner Nation is made up of 144 students, representing every college at UNC Charlotte. While most of them are traditional undergraduate students – and 86 are freshmen – there are non-traditional students, as well, including a doctoral candidate in psychology and a retired combat veteran who plays sousaphone. Participating in marching band brings this diverse group together in a special way, says drum major Madelyn Colby, a sophomore communications major.

“What I love most about marching band is the tight-knit community that is formed within. It is such a safe haven where lifelong bonds are built, and it goes along with performing with people. There is absolutely nothing like performing alongside people with whom you share a common goal.”

http://coaa.uncc.edu/news/pride-of-niner-nation-makes-debut

$2 million gift names football promenade

By Leanna Pough

As the fastest growing institution in the UNC system, the University of North Carolina at Charlotte welcomed nearly 28,000 49ers this fall. The university is expected to continue its climb towards becoming an integral part of the economic, social and cultural fabric of the Charlotte region with the Fall 2017 debut of the light rail; but growth isn’t possible without support.

Friday, August 28, 49ers gathered at the Jerry Richardson Stadium for the naming of the Hunter and Stephanie Edwards Promenade. The naming announcement follows a generous donation of $2 million from the couple –both UNC Charlotte graduates.

Edwards notes the changes and expansion of the UNC Charlotte campus since receiving his Bachelor of Arts in Economics.

Stephanie and Hunter Edwards.

“We rode around this place and Wow! What a different facility we have here now than when we did back in the day. It’s impressive,” Edwards says. President and CEO of MSS Solutions, Edwards accredits the UNC Charlotte for much of his adult life.

“I met my wife here, I got a degree finally. I got my first job interview because I had a degree and that started my career path. Without UNC Charlotte, the faculty, the professors, the staff here, I wouldn’t have made it,” Edwards says.

The Edwards’ gift helps lay a foundation of greatness for Charlotte 49ers in their commitment to build champions on and off the field.

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Leanna Pough is a senior Communication Studies major ad intern in the Office of Public Relations.