HOUSTON — Waltrip High School’s Roaring Red Ram Band is heading to the Big Easy for the Sugar Bowl after all.
According to Mayor John Whitmire’s office, the mayor heard from Houston ISD Superintendent Mike Miles about a decision that was made to deny travel for the marching band to the Sugar Bowl in New Orleans.
The marching band was invited to participate in a parade for the New Year’s Day bowl game which also serves as a College Football Playoff Quarterfinal.
According to a report from Chron.com, the band said they were denied approval for their travel to New Orleans with the district saying it was "too dangerous."
The mayor’s office released a statement Saturday morning saying that the mayor had informed Miles that he was happy to have Houston police escort the marching band on the trip to New Orleans and its return home as well as additional support them throughout their itinerary.
The statement also said that HPD Chief J. Noe Diaz has reached out to the Commander of Troop NOLA, the special Louisiana State Police unit created this year that covers New Orleans. He has also contacted the Texas Department of Public Safety to add their support.
“It would be the City’s honor to support the students in this way,” the statement said.
Later Saturday morning, the mayor’s office said that Miles had “reversed a premature decision by his staff.”
“The city will support in any way that is needed to ensure these hard-working Waltrip students have a well-deserved trip to New Orleans,” the mayor’s office said.
Here is the statement from HISD Superindent Mike Miles on the decision:
"Dear Booster Leadership,
"I am writing with exciting news. This morning, I learned about the amazing opportunity the Waltrip HS Ram Band has to perform at The 2025 Sugar Bowl in New Orleans. I understand the Division Leadership had safety concerns about this trip, and while student safety and security is always our top priority, I am confident we can safeguard our students and provide them with this incredible opportunity. As a proud band dad myself, I want to make sure the Roaring Ram Band can travel to the Sugar Bowl safely. To this end, I am assigning HISD PD officers to travel with the band and Division Superintendent Riddick assigned Principal Jeanette Cortez to serve as an additional chaperone.
"I know the Roaring Ram Band’s performance will be stupendous! It’s an honor for our band to show off the talents of HISD’s amazing students on such a special occasion.
"Division Superintendent Riddick and Principal Cortez would like to meet with you this coming week at Waltrip HS to discuss this opportunity more and refine logistics.
"I look forward to tuning in live to see the Roaring Ram Band in action on January 1st."
