Beyond the Stars: Mark Dixon, Parts Director

Behind the music and band magic that spectators witness under the Friday night lights is a team of volunteers working alongside members to make it happen.

Four Star Freightliner's Parts Director Mark Dixon is one of those volunteers. He is vice-president of the Lowndes High School Georgia Bridgemen, the 400-member marching band at Lowndes High School in Valdosta, Ga. His daughter, Mary, is a sophomore there and plays the baritone.

"The marching band is a really big deal here," said Mark. "I didn't want to be on the sideline. I wanted to participate in it."

Mark is part of the prop and pit team. They move props and stages onto the football field for half-time shows and competitions. He says they have seven trailers that pull all the equipment such as the ramps, podiums, and those stages. And when it's time to travel, it takes 13 buses to carry all the members.

"It's hard work, but it's a lot of fun getting to see the behind-the-scenes action,” Mark said. “There are so many intricate pieces that people don't get to see when they come to watch a football game."

And according to Mark, the support the band receives from its supporters is amazing to witness.

"When they leave the band room, they walk down Tailgate Alley with volunteers and chaperones," said Mark. "To see all the people cheer them on is surreal. It's breathtaking to see how much support people have for these kids."

Mark stresses that the band is just as important as the football team. Even a former football coach had a banner placed in the stadium that described the Georgia Bridgemen as the 12th man.

While the excitement of Friday Night Football is enough to bring people out, there's something else more personal that keeps Mark coming back week after week.

"Mary seeing her parents actively involved keeps her motivated," he said. "If we didn't show interest and didn't volunteer our time to the band, I think she'd lose interest and miss out on a great opportunity. I would encourage any parent that has a child in the band to participate in this experience."

Mary has been playing in the band since she was in the sixth grade. Mark said he and his wife Melissa plan to volunteer as long as she is a part of this organization.