Green Hope band performs at Gator Bowl

New Year's Day brought an honor for the Green Hope High School marching band - two performances at the Gator Bowl in Jacksonville, Fla.

On Thursday, the 112-member band won a competition among several bands from across the nation to take the field shortly before the nationally televised game started Friday afternoon.

The band played two numbers from its show "The Road Less Traveled." At halftime the band took part in a group band performance. About 80,000 fans turned out for the game pitting Florida State against West Virginia.

It was the Green Hope band's first appearance in a bowl game. The school opened in Cary in 1999.

"They've been so excited; it's been amazing for them," said band director Brian Myers in a telephone interview during the game. "It's definitely something they are always going to remember."

The Gator Bowl is one of college football's oldest bowls. This one, the 65th, was the last game before Bobby Bowden, Florida State's legendary coach, retired. FSU beat West Virginia University, 33-21.