Troy Athletics Mourns the Passing of Dr. Johnny Long

Troy Athletics joins the rest of the Troy Family Tuesday mourning the loss of Dr. Johnny M. Long who passed away Monday at the age of 94 at his home following a brief illness.

Dr. Long, who served as director of bands at Troy from 1965-1996, was a past president of the American Bandmasters Association and is a member of the National Band Association's Hall of Fame of Distinguished Band Conductors and the Alabama Bandmasters Hall of Fame. In 2010, Dr. Long was named honorary president of the National Band Association, and in 2011, was the subject of a feature piece for CBS Evening News on his continued involvement as conductor of the Southeast Alabama Community Band. In 2012, he was elected Honorary Life Member of the American Bandmasters Association.

Hired by Troy University Sports Hall of Fame member Dr. Ralph Adams in 1965, Dr. Long not only wrote The Sound of the South's trademark piece "The Fanfare", he also named the band upon his arrival. Under Dr. Long's direction, The Sound of the South represented the state in four presidential inaugural parades and served as the official band for two presidential visits to Alabama.

A 2017 inductee into the Troy University Sports Hall of Fame, Dr. Long's legacy will live on for some time as he produced over 1,000 high school band directors in his career at Troy.

The Following Story Appeared in the 2017 Troy University Sports Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony Program

Anyone who has ever attended a Troy football game, is familiar with "The Fanfare." As the band takes the field, family, friends and fans are brought together by the Sound of the South to cheer on the mighty Trojans.

Founder of Sound of the South, Troy's nationally recognized marching band, and writer of "The Fanfare," Dr. Johnny Long has a passion for music that he used in more than 30 years of dedication to the founding and building of Troy's band program.

Not only has Dr. Long built a legendary marching band that has been nationally recognized, but he has also served many roles within academic departments of Troy University. He served as the Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, Dean of the School of Fine Arts, and was assistant to the former Chancellor, Dr. Ralph Adams.

The effect Long and his band had on the athletic programs at Troy was unprecedented. During his time as band director, from 1965-1996, Troy football won three national championships at the NAIA and Division II levels.

"Dr. Long and his band was the greatest pep squad that we had all those years," former athletic director and current lecturer of finance, Robert Earl Stewart said. "He always encouraged his band members to support the athletic programs, particularly the football program."

In addition to being inducted into the Troy Sports Hall of Fame, Dr. Long is a member of the National Band Association Hall of Fame of Distinguished Band Conductors. He has also served as president of the American Bandmasters Association. The Sound of the South represented the state in four presidential inaugural parades and served as the official band for two presidential visits to Alabama under Dr. Johnny Long.

"The effect the Sound of the South had on the team was immeasurable," Stewart said. "We always had a good home crowd, but regardless of the size of fans at the away games, any game that he and his band attended, the team knew it and was inspired by it."

During his 30 years with the program, Long produced hundreds of current band directors. His passion and love for music shined through with each note the was played. But more than he loved music, he loved his students. He consistently found joy in other peoples' happiness and had a positive impact on each student that passed through his doors.

"He has a very dynamic personality," Stewart said. "He is a very energetic person and very demanding of his band, but that's the reason they were so good. He was a leader to everyone around him. He is very outgoing and personable."

In 1998, two years after Long retired from Troy, the University Board of Trustees and Chancellor Jack Hawkins Jr. named the Troy University School of Music the John M. Long School of Music to honor the one who dedicated his life to his craft.

Long started his career in music as a high school band director in 1949 before transitioning to Troy to change the sound of Troy Athletics forever. Dr. Long continues to serve the band program today as a distinguished professor of music and Director Emeritus. His legacy at Troy will live on forever through the Sound of the South and the students he continues to inspire.

"There are very few programs in the country that have a band as good as Troy's," Stewart said. "Dr. Long's band was extremely instrumental in the success of all of our athletics programs."

Troy University Athletics

Troy Athletics Mourns the Passing of Dr. Johnny Long

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