Redcoats honor Flagline leader Cassie Moates

Cassie Elaine Magee Moates, 38, of Hoschton passed away on October, 15th, 2021, just days after welcoming her third beautiful daughter. She was born in Sunrise, Fl but considered Duluth, Ga her hometown. 

Moates was a devoted teacher - spending parts of her career at Bethlehem Elementary in Bethlehem, Ga and Ivy Creek Elementary in Buford, Ga. She had been named Teacher of the Year and was known as warm and welcoming to her students and fellow teachers. 

She also took great pride in being a part of the University of Georgia Redcoat Band Flagline. A Flagline member herself for five years during her studies at UGA, Moates later returned to lead the group as Flagline Coordinator for more than a decade. She handled nearly every aspect of the section's operation from recruiting, outreach, and membership to design, leadership, and communication. A longterm member of the Redcoat Band Alumni Association board, Moates was the founder of the UGA Winterguard, and served as the color guard instructional lead for the UGA Summer Marching Band Camp. 

"Cassie was an optimist, and that rubbed off on everyone around her," said Brett Bawcum, Director of Athletic bands at UGA. "She elevated any group of people that was fortunate enough to earn her loyalty, including the Flagline and the Redcoats at large. And she did it with integrity and unmistakable love for her family, her Flagline, and her university. She left us so much better than she found us."

According to Bawcum, Moates will be remembered as the individual who was most responsible for the development and advancement of the Redcoat Band Flagline. Above all else, Moates was an amazing mother to her three beautiful, smart and independent daughters - Ava, Hattie and Sadie. Her love and incredible sense of humor will live on, though the void she has left in her husband John and their daughters' lives is immeasurable.

The Redcoat Band Alumni Association has established a memorial fund in honor of Cassie Moates.

Image: Photo Courtesy of Cathy Marszalik via the Red & Black