When the drums roll, everyone in every corner rocks. Colleges are second homes, and when it comes to taking pride in your institution, shying away from enjoying it isn’t an option. The First Lady of Texas Longhorns, Loreal Sarkisian, is also following suit, as she recently took to her Instagram Stories to express her emotions. A personal stylist by profession and a track athlete at heart, Steve Sarkisian‘s wife contributed her part in spreading the love and spirit of her alma mater in 2025’s Battle of Bands among the Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU).

Loreal reposted a snippet from Honda’s Drive the Legacy initiative band battle event in SoFi Stadium, LA, California. 6 teams from 6 colleges competed here. Her post features Alabama A&M University’s Maroon and White Band facing off against Loreal’s college, the North Carolina A&T State University’s Blue and Gold Marching Machine. Nobody missed a note, neither the drummers nor Loreal, as she kept the tradition alive by captioning “Aggie Pride” on her IG Story. Some of you didn’t get it, right? Well, let’s see what the quote means.

Loreal’s “Aggie Pride” is a catchphrase of the NCAT students, chanted to express the love and sense of belonging they share with their university. The term is relatively new in the university’s 130 years of existence. The source of this pride, however, remained there in the form of songs like “Aggie Spirit” or “Aggie War Hymn.” Students say Aggie expands on their “Achieve Great Goals In Everything” motto, which rouses their athletic teams to reach the pinnacle. The NCAT also began its journey in 1891 as an agricultural university, offering English, mathematics, horticulture, and agriculture courses. Students largely believe that’s where the term has trickled down from: their agricultural roots.

The Battle of Bands performance featured in Loreal’s IG Story was a tribute to actor and comedian Orlando Jones and his 2002 movie ‘Drumline.’ It portrays the story of an arrogant yet talented drummer, Devon Miles, played by Nick Cannon, and his rollercoaster of ups and downs in a Black college. The movie is about integrity and pride over the Black identity, a minority in the US. Like Jones’ movie, the bands also strived to produce “one band, one sound,” attainable through teamwork and collaboration. Jones was also spotted at the event, grooving at the tremble of the drums and enjoying it wholeheartedly!

North Carolina A&T State University is worthy of all the hype

“Aggie Pride” works like a charm. The North Carolina A&T State University’s Blue and Gold Marching Machine tops the ESPN Division 1 charts. They have a string of accolades. Led by director Dr. Kenneth Ruff, the BGMM performed in the 135th Rose Parade on January 1, 2024, and also participated in the Red Lobster Band of the Year Battle of the Bands in Atlanta, Georgia, in December 2024. They have made their winning mark in the Honda Battle of Bands since 2014 and bagged the ESPN Band of the Year championship last year. We see why Loreal has reasons to be proud.

NCAT, as a university, is ranked as the largest HBCU for the 11th consecutive year, according to the US Department of Education. It is home to several notable NFL players, like Tarik Cohen, the famed running back of the Carolina Panthers, who formerly played for the Chicago Bears. He began his career as the Rookie of the Year in 2013 and advanced to being the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference’s Player of the Year from 2014 to 2016. The executive vice president of the Detroit Lions, Brad Holmes, also began his career in the field of NCAT. New York Giants linebacker Robert “Stonewall” Jackson also made history in 1977 after becoming the first HBCU player to be drafted for the NFL. The university was also home to Dwaine Board, the San Francisco 49ers‘ 4-time Super Bowl champ.

The HBCUs are the dream universities of many students from the U.S. Southern belt, and events like these make the community stronger. In the “academics first” atmosphere, the battle of bands provides an opportunity to enjoy and forge strong bonds with the diverse alumni. Call it a family reunion of a grand scale; Loreal’s post shows a whirlwind of students, teachers, and staff enjoying the show. Freshmen, seniors, and pass-outs all unite together, and unity wins amid a series of competitions.