Tim Agne/KJZZ

University of Arizona’s Pride of Arizona Marching Band performs with the ASU band during halftime on Nov. 25, 2023, at Mountain America Stadium in Tempe.

The John Philip Sousa Foundation awards the Sudler Trophy to a university that “honors the close historical relationship and outstanding contribution of college marching bands to the American way of life.”

This year, the national honor went to the University of Arizona and the school’s band director, Chad Shoopman.

The award is given out biannually, so the winning school gets to hold onto the traveling trophy for the following year.

The Pride of Arizona Marching Band will bask in the national spotlight once again on Dec. 28 in San Antonio, when the UA plays the University of Oklahoma in college football’s Alamo Bowl game.

More stories from KJZZ

• Arizona marching bands have been struggling with extreme heat. Here's how they're adjusting
• University of Arizona announces hiring freeze, more changes to fight $240M budget shortfall