University of South Florida Herd of Thunder - Pregame

Pregame

The University of South Florida pregame festivities begin with the Herd of Thunder luring tailgaters to the stadium with their parking lot concert ("Road Show"), where they play the Golden Brahman March, March Victorious, The Bull, and other tunes to pump up the last of the tailgaters. 15 minutes before game-time, the HOT trumpets perform the "Call of the Bulls", which begins the USF on-field pregame tradition.

When the trumpets hold their last note, the drumline begins the cadence to signal the entire band, cheerleaders, and Rocky the Bull to come "stampeding" onto the field. This format, inspired by the University of Central Florida's pregame show, gives the illusion of a small and modest performance before filling the field with USF pride and "blowing away" the audience each time. The Herd of Thunder then performs their version of "El Toro Caliente", the Golden Brahman March (USF Fight Song), March Victorious and the Alma Mater, before leading the stadium in the National Anthem. HOT retires from the field to "The Bull" which they play to each side of the stadium to begin the football team's stampede. After forming a tunnel in front of the entrance to the field, HOT again performs "The Bull", until the team comes running out, they then cut directly into the Fight Song.