UF Gator Band Alumni Association Board President Robin Oegerle, Secretary Michelle Taunton, member Andrea Williams and Director of the Gator Marching Band Jay Watkins attended the 2018 Athletic Bands Symposium at the University of Texas at Austin from May 30 to June 2.
While attending the conference, Oegerle presented a session about the current activities and advances the organization has made in serving the UF band program.
GBAA also held a reception between the alumni band conference and the athletic band directors conference to meet and greet Gator alumni in the Austin area. They were able to connect—and reconnect—with numerous UF alumni and were joined by the Lone Star Gator Club President Chari Kelly (BA '99).
Watkins and the GBAA board members also participated in discussions regarding development, alumni affairs, recruiting, and relationships between the university, the athletic department and current band faculty and students. Other schools gave presentations regarding development and service projects, and GBAA board members used these presentations to prepare for more involvement with the current UF band program.
“The active work done by the board of directors of the Gator Band Alumni Association during the conference continues to propel the organization and further enhances their ability to support the current students in the UF Band Program,” Watkins said.
