Braly Stadium was the stage for a spectacle of sound, color and pride for the 15th annual Marching Band Extravaganza.
Opening the first game of the last season at Braly, the annual halftime event brought hundreds of high and middle schoolers to perform with UNA’s Marching Pride, Majorettes, Dance Team and Color Guard. Lion fans who attended the stadium on Sept. 13 went home after a great show and a winning score.
Experiencing the MBEX gives middle to high school students a unique opportunity. Within the halftime show categories, students sign up to face the real life work of a university-level marching band.
Hatton High School senior Madison Beck shared her experience as a returner from last year’s MBEX. She said she was “extremely excited” to come back for another year to learn from the Lionettes.
“The Lionettes were extremely helpful and encouraging to all the girls participating,” Beck said.
Preparation for the big event isn’t for beginners. UNA freshman and former high school participant of the MBEX Shanna Sowell said registration goes until the day of the show, because the participants only learn their parts a few hours before kickoff.
“It’s a very quick turnaround time,” Sowell said. “But they do well as always.”
“As someone who did Extravaganza when I was in high school, I would say that it heavily encouraged me to join UNA’s band,” Sowell said. “I’m excited to see what all comes as a result, and I would say that it just brings a lot of liveliness to the UNA community as a whole.”
Over 700 students were registered for the MBEX, and Braly’s turf carried their energy to the bleachers.
The Marching Pride is set for three other performances at Braly. In 2026, fans can expect a much different scenario for the MBEX as football turns its game to the now-in-construction Bank independent Stadium.
