the smallest ‘crab’

Being a “crab” in the Grambling State University Tiger Marching Band is not an easy task for any freshmen, especially when you are the smallest one. This is exactly the case of Norris Green, one of the newest members of the GSU snare drum line. In high school Green was one of the smallest in the band. But he still held his own as the percussion section leader. Green is an average crab in the band. He plays the role of a “crab” by trying not to be noticed. The only problem is that he is always noticed. Green stands at 4ft 8 inches. However, this does not stop him from being a productive Gramblinite. Although Norris is popular to in the GSU band due to his height, many feel as if he doesn’t say anything. Assistant percussion section leader Thomas Wheeler commented, “Norris is a cool dude to know. He has a lot of discipline and doesn’t say much. He just does what he’s told.”
Green made his first appearance with the “World Famed” during the Dallas Cowboys and New Orleans Saints preseason halftime show. Like many other freshmen that have preformed in the band over the years, he made the field. The only catch is he entered the field as a Drum Major. The Drum Major placed him on top of the “Big Mack” bass drum and he called the band to attention. This is a spotlight that most people in the band only dream of and he got the opportunity his first game.
With all of the great accomplishments that Green has achieved during his first semester at Grambling State, he still catches his fair share of hardship from his crab year. Most freshmen only receives one “crab” nickname his or her freshmen year by the upperclassmen.
But many of the upperclassmen refer to Green by an assortment of names like “Too Short,” “Inch high private eye,” and “Thumbelina.” Green has been coming to the GSU band camp every year since he was in middle school and he has always known that he would be in the “World Famed” one day.
Although Green is a very talented and dedicated bandsman, he has a very active social life outside of the “World Famed.” Upon his arrival here at GSU, many people did not believe that he was a student.
Many people thought that Green was a freshman at Grambling High School rather than Grambling State. But it seemed that his height worked for his advantage. Many girls commented on how humble and nice he was despite his short stature and now, it is common to see him around campus with a girl or two on his arm.
Flute section leader Shanica Thompson quoted, “You can’t talk about Norris unless you talk to him. Once I met him and got to know him, he turned out to be one of the sweetest crabs in the band.” Besides playing in the “World Famed,” Green is an avid piano player due to the fact that he is music major.
But besides his homework and social life. Green is a determined snare player and often referred to as one of the best freshmen players on the snare line. After the dismissal of practice, Green along with a handful of his “crab” brothers often stay after practice for hours playing cadences. Snare drum upperclassmen Mario Scates commented, “It’s spooky because every time I come to practice at night, I hear someone practicing and every time its Norris.”