History of the Marching Hundred

Indiana University's famed Marching Hundred is the product of a tradition which dates back to the organization of the first band at Indiana in 1896. Originally founded to provide recreation for interested students, the 22-piece band of 1896 grew to 47 members by 1913.

In 1916, the band traveled to Mexico to entertain troops of the American Expeditionary Force under the command of General Pershing. When the IU campus was converted into a training camp during World War I, the band played an important role in drilling American soldiers.

In the mid-1920s, the IU Band began receiving national attention. When John Philip Sousa came to Bloomington in November of 1925, he referred to the band as "one of the snappiest marching and playing bands in the country."

The Indiana Band was beginning to earn the definitive phrase of "one of America's finest." In 1927 various newspaper and magazine columnists referred to the band in various descriptive accolades: Indiana's famous Marching and Playing Hundred, All-American Band, and the Greatest organization of its kind on the Continent Eventually, the title "Marching Hundred" was to come into popularity and has since been used to describe this outstanding organization.


The band's appearances have included: the Kentucky Derby (1939), the Presidential Inaugural Parade (1953), the Rose Bowl (1968), the Holiday Bowl (1979), the All-American Bowl (1986), the Peach Bowl (1988 and 1990), the Liberty Bowl (1988), the Copper Bowl (1991), and the Independence Bowl (1993).

Each season the Marching Hundred performs live before thousands of fans as well as for national television and radio audiences. The band produces video and audio tapes of its outstanding performances each year.


The Marching Hundred has long led the field in terms of spirit, innovation, and musical quality. Numerous college and high school bands utilize elements of Indiana's rehearsal procedure and marching style. The Big Ten has long been noted for outstanding marching bands. The Marching Hundred combines marching precision and musical brilliance seldom matched in the conference.

In 2007, the Marching Hundred was the recipient of the Sudler Trophy, naming it as the outstanding college marching band in the country. Every appearance of the band reinforces the motto of the Marching Hundred: A Tradition of Excellence

Directors of the Marching Hundred
Since 1993David C. Woodley
1986 - 1992Stephen W. Pratt
1983 - 1985Wilber T. England
1972 - 1982Ray E. Cramer
1967 - 1971Frederick C. Ebbs
1956 - 1966Ronald Gregory
1954 - 1955Logan Turrentine
1953Kenneth O. Snapp
1948 - 1952Daniel Martino
1941 - 1947Gerald Doty
1935 - 1940Frederick B. Green
1929 - 1934V. E. Dillard
1926 - 1928Mark Hindsley
1916 - 1925Archie Warner
1914 - 1915Carl F. Brand
1912 - 1913Russell P. Harker
1910 - 1911John S. Taylor
1899 - 1909L. M. Hiatt
1898J.C. Hyatt
1896 - 1897S.M. Unger

Drum Majors of the Marching Hundred
1959 - 1962Wayne Hinkel
1967Larry Lafferty
1969 - 1970Tabor Stamper
1971Charlie Harris
1972 - 1973Charlie Harris and Fred Kelly
1974 - 1975Fred Kelly
1976Ben Hammontree
1977 - 1981Ralph Ewell
1982 - 1983Timothy Yontz
1984 - 1986Rod Shubel
1987 - 1989Greg Dotson
1990 - 1991Dan Beauchamp
1992Randy Jones
1993 - 1995Spencer Mayhew
1996Steven J. Waldron
1997 - 1998John Whalin
1999Matt Coy
2000 - 2001Brian Shaw
2002 - 2003Chris Stokdyk
2004John Gilbert
2005 - 2006Brittany DiSalvo and Steve Meyer
2007 Schuyler Troy


Director of Athletic Bands Dave Woodley


Chronology of the Marching Hundred
1896formation of the first band at IU (twenty-two men)
1899L.M. Hiatt appointed director
1911John S. Taylor appointed director
1912Russell P. Harker appointed director
1914Department of Bands established
Karl F. Brand appointment
1915Archie Warner appointed director
IU Band becomes The Band of the First Regiment of the Indiana National Guard
1916IU Band travels to Mexico to entertain American troops of the AEF under the command of Gen. John Pershing.
IU Band receives the highest unit ranking of the state militia.
During WWI, the IU campus was converted into a training center for soldiers, and the IU Band plays an important role in the drilling of soldiers.
1917American soldiers return from war in Europe--IU Band roster lists 125 musicians.
1923The IU School of Music is organized--band members receive academic credit for service.
1924Grover Cleaver appointed director
1925John Philip Sousa visits the IU campus and declares the IU Band to be "the snappiest marching and playing band in the country."
1927The famous trip to Harvard University--the IU Band spells out "HARVARD" in a continuous drill during the halftime performance.
Mark Hindsley appointed director
1928"Marching Hundred" first used as the name for the IU Band
1929V.E. Dillard appointed director
1931Alpha Zeta chapter of Kappa Kappa Psi established at IU.
1933Marching Hundred performs at the Chicago World's Fair
"Battle of the Bands" with Purdue University
1935Marching Hundred holds record for the fastest marching cadence--152 beats per minute
Frederick B. Green appointed director
1937Marching Hundred travels to Texas to celebrate its centennial
Marching Hundred recognized as a "best band" at the national level--many bands attempt to copy letter formations and precision drills
1939Marching Hundred performs at the Kentucky Derby
Marching Hundred travels to New York Polo Ground (IU vs. Fordham)
1940Presidential Candidate Wendell Willkie chooses the Marching Hundred as his official honor guard
Girls' Fife and Drum Corps accompanies the Hundred on road trips
Major Roy H. Hagarty named director
1941Band activities slow because of World War II
Gerald Doty nammed director
1945The IU Band resumes normal activities after the end of WWII
1948Daniel Martino named director
Four concert units are formed within the Department of Bands
1949Rho Chapter of Tau Beta Sigma established at Indiana University
1949-1952The Marching Hundred makes three consecutive appearances at the Indianapolis 500 and Kentucky Derby
1953Marching Hundred represents Indiana at Eisenhower's Inagural Parade in Washington, D.C. (130 members)
1956Dr. Ronald Gregory named director
Marching Hundred appears at Detroit Lions and Chicago Bears professional football games
1960Herald trumpets added to the Hundred
1964Marching Hundred becomes the first Big Ten band to perform at the Orange Bowl Parade and in the Orange Bowl (stadium)
1967Frederick C. Ebbs appointed director
Marching Hundred performs at the Rose Bowl
1972RedSteppers added to the Hundred
Ray E. Cramer named director
1973First women (marching members) added to Hundred
1979Marching Hundred performs at the Holiday Bowl
1983Wilbur England named director
1986Marching Hundred performs at the All-American Bowl
Stephen W. Pratt named director
1987Marching Hundred performs at the Peach Bowl
1988Marching Hundred performs at the Liberty Bowl
1990Marching Hundred performs at the Peach Bowl
1991Marching Hundred performs at the Copper Bowl
1993David C. Woodley appointed director
Marching Hundred performs at the Independence Bowl
1996The IU Department of Bands begins a year-long centennial celebration of the Marching Hundred
1998The IU Department of Bands adds a fourth faculty member; Dr. Douglas Stotter is named as Assistant Director of Bands and Assistant Director of the Marching Hundred
2005The IU Department of Bands adds a new fourth faculty member; Dr. Brian Doyle is named as Assistant Director of Bands and Assistant Director of the Marching Hundred
2006The IU Department of Bands adds a new fourth faculty member; Dr. Paul Popiel is named as Assistant Director of Bands and Associate Director of the Marching Hundred
2007The Marching Hundred is awarded the Sudler Trophy, naming it the outstanding college marching band in the country