WINSTON-SALEM, N.C.-- Winston-Salem State University's band has played its way into the national spotlight.
Tuesday morning the band, also known as the 'Red Sea of Sound', received national exposure, performing an original take of ESPN's “First Take" theme song.
The university said the video was filmed on campus in K.R. Williams Auditorium in front of an audience of WSSU students and also features the Powerhouse of Red and White - White Team. Mr. and Miss WSSU, Je'Rel Smith and Jordan Reaves introduce "First Take" co-hosts WSSU alumnus Stephen A. Smith '91 and Max Kellerman.
And that's not all...there were a few surprises, including, DJ Trellz, 2017 CIAA DJ of the Year, in a throwback Stephen A. Smith No. 20 jersey.
WSSU's Integrated Marketing Communications produced the video at the request of "First Take" co-host Smith, who challenged producers on-air in August after two other college marching bands were featured on the show. The video aired as a lead-in to the show's second hour at 11 a.m.
TV and radio personality Smith, who played for legendary Coach Clarence "Big House" Gaines, often reminisces on the show about his time at WSSU. In 2016, he pledged to donate $250,000 to WSSU athletics and to the Department of Communication and Media Studies. Earlier this year, he was inducted into the CIAA Hall of Fame.
“I’m a Ram for life. I love my institution, no doubt about it,” Smith said following the video.