1976 - 1977

The 1976 Marshall University Marching Band had 104 members led by drum majors Cheri Smith and R.J. Keller. The Band led the WOWK-TV Community Day Parade and hosted the 6th Annual Tri-State Marching Band Festival at Fairfield Stadium. Then they were scheduled to perform with the WVU Marching Band at the first inauguration of John D. Rockefeller as governor of the state of West Virginia, but ten degree below zero temperatures the day of the inauguration forced the cancellation of the performance at the Capital Steps.

1977 - 1978

The Marching Band in 1977 had 127 members and was led by drum major R.J. Keller. The band marched in the Mountain State Forest Festival in Elkins, WV and hosted the 7th Annual Tri-State Marching Band Festival at Fairfield Stadium. On September 10 at the Ohio University game, a new name was given to the Marshall University Marching Band as the band opened its show with the theme from "Rocky". The P.A. announcer began...

"Ladies and gentlemen - May I have your attention please - In the southeast corner of the stadium, wearing green trunks and white cross belts, and weighing in at 18,277.5 pounds, the Marshall University 'Big Green Marching Machine!'"

Thus began a new tradition at MU.



1978 - 1979

The 1978 Big Green Marching Machine had 166 members. The Drum Major was Sawn Berry. The band hosted the 8th Annual Tri-State Marching Band Festival at Fairfield Stadium.

1979 - 1980

The 1979 Big Green Marching Machine had 176 members. The Drum Majors were Jo Ellen Tinsley and Sawn Berry. The band hosted the 9th Annual Tri-State Marching Band Festival at Fairfield Stadium.

1980 - 1981

In 1980, the Big Green Marching Machine had 180 members. The Drum Majors were Jo Ellen Tinsley and Sawn Berry.

1981 - 1982

In 1981, the Big Green Marching Machine had 196 members. The drum majors were Gary Bias and James T. "Butch Boggs. The band made its first appearance at the Charleston Sternwheel Regatta Parade.

1982 - 1983

In 1982, the Big Green Marching Machine had 186 members. The drum major was James T. "Butch" Boggs. The band made its second appearance at the Sternwheel Regatta Parade and performed at its first NFL football game when the Cincinnati Bengals played the Pittsburgh Steelers.

1983 - 1984

The 1983 Big Green Marching Machine had 184 members. The drum majors were James T. "Butch" Boggs and Polly Winters. The band performed at the West Virginia Sports Festival in Oak Hill. The National Association of Uniform Manufacturers presented the Big Green Marching Machine with an award as "The Best Dressed Band in the South."



1984 - 1985

The 1984 Big Green Marching Machine had 206 members. The drum majors were Polly Winters and Scott Woodard. On September 2nd the band made its second appearance in the Three Rivers Stadium as the Pittsburgh Steelers played the Denver Broncos.

1985 - 1986

The 1985 Big Green Marching Machine had 203 members. The drum majors were Scott Woodard and Leo Ruth. The marching band led the WOWK-TV Community Day Parade and the Huntington Fire Prevention Parade.

1987 - 1988

The 1987 Big Green Marching Machine had 192 members. The drum majors were Lynn Haptonstall, Stacey Hunter, and Leo Ruth.

1988 - 1989

The 1988 Big Green Marching Machine had 183 members. The drum majors were Stacey Hunter and Tim Channell. The marching band led the Huntington Fire Prevention Parade.

1989 - 1990

The 1989 Big Green Marching Machine had 175 members. The drum majors were Amy Oakes and Tom Zerkle. The band performed for the 8th appearance in the Sternwheel Regatta Parade in Charleston. The band hosted the Annual Tri-State Marching Band Festival at Fairfield Stadium.

1990 - 1991

The 1990 Big Green Marching Machine had 176 members. The drum majors were Lisa Skeens and Todd Hippert.

1992 - 1993

In 1992, the Big Green Marching Machine got a new director. Dr. Richard Lemke resigned and assistant director, Ivory Brock, took over. Led by four drum majors, the band had less than 100 members in a down year. Mr. Brock's dream was to make the marching band a "show band." Dr. Ben Miller was assistant director.

1993 - 1994

With Ivory Brock leaving as director, the Music Department searched for a new director and came up with the name Baruch Judge Whitehead. Mr. Whitehead renamed the band to the "Marching Hundred." Mistakenly announced as the "Marching Thunder" during the first game, the name stuck and still holds its title to this day. Still, with less than 100 members, the band set out in a new direction and adopted a style of a Drum and Bugle Corps.



1994 - 1995

Led by drum majors Beth McCormick and Scott Morrison, the Marching Thunder brought it's total up to 164 members. Dr. Ben Miller was the assistant director.

1995 - 1996

Steve Hall was named assistant director and took over the role of percussion instructor. The color guard took on a new role as the Marching Thunder grew to 180 members. Drum Majors Beth McCormick, Lutricia Tampa, Leslie Bias, and Kelly Marcum led the band. In one day, the band marched in the Charleston Sternwheel Regatta Parade, played for a military review, and did the pre-game and half time shows for a West Virginia Lightning game.

1996 - 1997

The Marching Thunder had 205 members and performed for President Clinton. Drum Majors Beth McCormick, Lutricia Tampa, Leslie Bias, and Patrick Brown led the Marching Thunder. Mr. Whitehead eliminated majorettes and hired Drum Corps instructors to teach weapons to the color guard. With the addition of other Drum Corps instructors for playing and marching, the band earned its title as "one of the nation's finest Drum and Bugle Corps collegiate marching bands!"



1997 - 1998

The Marching Thunder performed its season opener in the MAC at WVU, August 30 lovingly named the "Front Yard Brawl." The band resumed a forgotten tradition by holding the first band competition in five years. The big performance for the Marching Thunder was hosting the Bands of America competition in Indianapolis, IN.

1998 - 1999

The Marching Thunder had 180 members. Drum Majors Patrick Brown, Brett Landy, Aimee Forshey and Jamie Skeens led the band on the field. This year brought back majorettes and a dance team was also formed. The Marching Thunder performed the "American Dream" show.

1999 - 2000

The 1999 - 2000 season for the Marching Thunder was an eventful year. The Marching Thunder was led by drum majors Patrick Brown, Aimee Forshey, and Bridget Peterson. The band performed at many festivals including the Charleston Civitan Festival, Portsmouth, Point Pleasant, and the Tri-State Marching Band Festival.



2000 - 2001

Under the direction of Baruch Whitehead and Steve Hall, the 2000 Marching Thunder presented a new look and sound for the football season. The Marching Thunder enthralled crowds with the spirited sounds of Latin, Jazz, and Big Band styles of music. Drum Majors for the 2000 season were Aimee Forshey, Bridget Peterson, and Shane Lappert. The Marching Thunder performed at band competitions including competitions in Centerville, Ohio, Beaver Creek, Ohio, the Charleston Civitan Festival, and the Tri-State Band Festival.