University of South Florida Herd of Thunder - History

History

The Herd of Thunder (H.O.T.) Marching Band at The University of South Florida first took the field in September 1999. With the addition of a football team in 1997, the marching band was a needed faction of USF and was implemented by then University President, Betty Castor. With the help of the Athletic Department, the USF Alumni Association, and the USF School of Music, the Herd of Thunder was born.

The First Year During the first year, the H.O.T. Marching Band was very eager to start traditions and try new things. Even though there had already been a USF Pep Band for decades (in basketball), an undertaking of this magnitude was much different. Three hundred uniforms were ordered and many new instruments were purchased. At the first day of Marching Band Camp, 140 students were in attendance, under the direction of Dr. Sid Haton. With their shiny new instruments, these students were prepared to learn the first drill sets of the USF Pre-game show. A Field Guard of 24 members rounded out the band. New members continued to join the H.O.T. every day, during this important growth period for the band. That first year began the tradition of the "Call" and “Running of the Bulls”, where the band ran from the tunnels of the stadium, "stampeding" onto the football field. By their first game, the H.O.T. had grown to over 200 members! Starting another tradition, their first show featured a Latin theme, including "La Copa de La Vida". Ironically, the sky thundered during the debut of the Herd of Thunder and the marching band was unable to march. However the rain couldn’t stop them, as they still performed from the stands.