That’s Tevin “Too Cold” Coleman describing how he feels about being drum major of the Southern University Marching Band, one of most celebrated aggregations in the country.

The 19-year-old sophomore did not get the position by accident. He has been angling toward being SU’s drum major since he was a child. That’s when he says he was able to do the crowd-pleasing traditional back bend that SU’s drum major does when he comes on the field.

“I’ve known how to do the backbend since I was four or five. I just knew I always wanted that spot,” Coleman said.

He also credits being the drum major at Peabody Magnet High School, in his hometown of Alexandria, as additional preparation to reach his goal to be the drum major of “The Human Jukebox.”

While this is Coleman’s first year as drum major, he looks like a veteran. He takes his position seriously and is confident in his abilities, explaining that the most challenging aspect of his front man position is making sure everything goes well before the games.

Another challenge for Coleman was gaining the respect of the older band members when he was initially named drum major. “Of course there was some conflict at first, but I’d rather show what I can do and earn respect rather than try to force or tell someone what to do.”

Coleman also makes sure that he does not let his nerves get the best of him during band performances. “I’m a shy person, but when I’m on the field I try to show off a little bit. At halftime, that’s when I’m ‘Too Cold’,” he laughs, I have to get the butterflies out of me one way or another. Either I can be scared and mess up or I can take control of my fears.”

The “Baddest Band in the Land’s” front man is equally as serious and fearless about his education. Coleman says he is all about academics. When he is not busy with the band or school, he is more than likely studying in his free time.

The secondary education major wants to become a history teacher. It’s a career path he chose after working at the Boys and Girls Club and participating in high school band camp programs and noticing how much the students looked up to and respected him.

“I saw that they just listened to me. I want to be a teacher because I can be a role model. I feel like I can really get to the children,” he said.

Coleman says he grew up in a rough neighborhood in Alexandria and just a few years ago, was hanging with the wrong crowd. “A lot of the friends I used to hang with are now in jail or went to the Army. Some of them passed away. This was my ticket out.”

Coleman credits the love, support, and guidance of his family, friends, and God for helping him to ultimately make the decision to go to college. “If it wasn’t for (the band director Lawrence) Mr. Jackson, my high school band director, my parents, and the Man upstairs, I wouldn’t even be here.”

He also credits his upbringing for his down-to-earth attitude, saying he tries to refrain from bragging because he is a humble person. He also says that despite his high-profile position on campus, he does not like too much attention. “At school I’m just a regular student,” he said.

Coleman said one of the best parts of being drum major and in the band is the adrenaline rush he gets when performing for the crowd. “When I put on that Southern University band uniform I feel just like Superman.”

This article was originally published in the November 23, 2009 print edition of The Louisiana Weekly newspaper