Michael Strahan Donates $100K To University Marching Band

Retired American football pro Michael Strahan is giving back to his alma mater, Texas Southern University, by donating a whopping $100,000 to the marching band. “Ocean of Soul,” as the marching ba...
Michael Strahan Donates $100K To University Marching Band
Written by Val Powell

Retired American football pro Michael Strahan is giving back to his alma mater, Texas Southern University, by donating a whopping $100,000 to the marching band.

“Ocean of Soul,” as the marching band is called, will be using the funds to travel to Canton, Ohio so that they can play when Strahan is inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in August. The 42-year-old Strahan announced the news on Tuesday morning on Live with Kelly and Michael!, ABC’s morning show that he co-hosts with Kelly Ripa.

The marching band needed $150,000 and they surpassed their monetary goal with Strahan’s donation, Kevin Hart’s $50,000 donation, and other donations. Strahan said, “I can’t let Kevin do it all alone, so I’m going to give them $100,000. Thank you, Kevin for the $50,000, and I’ll give the hundred and we’ll get the band there and hopefully the kids will have a great time. And I appreciate all the support.”

Drum major Darius Harris said, “We have a special edge. We bring things out to light that other bands cannot bring.”

Marching band director Richard Lee said that playing at the Pro Football Hall of Fame event is an exciting opportunity for the band, as many people have not seen them play yet. “We want to make sure we give them an excellent performance as we always do,” he said.

Texas Southern University’s Associate Vice President Eva Pickens said that they had a goal to raise $150,000 in 30 days. Now that they surpassed their goal, the excess funds will be used for scholarships for the band students.

“Ocean of Soul” will be participating in the Pro Football Hall of Fame event by performing at the fan appreciation tailgate party at the Hall of Fame Campus. The event will be held on August 2.

Strahan played for the New York Giants from 1993 to 2007.

Image via YouTube

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