The Florida State University: A History of Traditions

MARCHING CHIEFS The FSU Marching Chiefs were deemed by Sports Illustrated as the “band that never lost a halftime.”

It all began in the late 1930s when the first formal band was organized at The Florida State College for Women (FSCW).

With fewer than 20 student musicians, the band made its first performance at the “Odds” and “Evens” intramural football game on Thanksgiving Day in 1939. The band didn’t become officially organized until 1941 when an advertisement for try-outs was published. Today, the Marching Chiefs are one of the largest college marching bands in the world and their membership is comprised of students from almost every academic department within the university.

Before each home football game, The Chiefs hold their “pregame skull session” at Dick Howser Baseball Stadium. The band performs section cheers and gives the audience a sneak preview of the upcoming halftime show.