The University of South Florida’s Herd of Thunder marching band is set to perform at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers halftime show on Sunday, October 12. The event will take place at Raymond James Stadium and will feature 348 student musicians performing a Motown-inspired musical arrangement. The performance aims to celebrate rhythm, unity, and school pride.
This marks the second consecutive year that many band members have played during a Buccaneers game. The university maintains several connections with the NFL team, including fellowship and mentoring opportunities for USF students.
Emily Towner, band captain and social media coordinator, reflected on her initial interest in joining the ensemble: “I was inspired to join after attending HOT Day as a high school student,” she said. “Performing on the field with so many talented musicians created a true passion for performance within me.” She added that her involvement in the marching band has significantly shaped her college experience and career goals: “Being in the marching band completely altered my college experience, giving me 300 immediate friends as a freshman. It’s also how I discovered my passion for media and my future career path.”
Senior marketing major and fellow band captain Emily Morris described the energy of game day: “When we step out onto the field, you feel the immediate impact of the green and gold everywhere,” she said. Morris emphasized how this excitement motivates every performance: “We’re the heartbeat for the university and the fans. During pregame, when the whole crowd is on its feet and cheering to our music, that connection is electric, it makes all the hard work worth it.”
David Washington, a second-year member who plays tuba and serves as a new member advisor, shared his perspective on what being part of Herd of Thunder means: “Marching band has shaped my college experience by providing key relationships that I’ll carry with me after I graduate.” He also spoke about maintaining traditions within the group: “It’s important that we keep these traditions alive. They help entertain fans and keep our history moving forward.”
The Herd of Thunder continues to serve as one of USF’s most visible ambassadors. Members balance demanding rehearsal schedules with academic responsibilities while fostering leadership skills and camaraderie among participants.
With their upcoming halftime show performance, Herd of Thunder aims to bring school spirit to both Raymond James Stadium and viewers beyond.
