Indiana University Marching Hundred

Early days

The Marching Hundred began as the University Band in 1896. Lucius M. Hiatt directed the band from 1900 to 1910, which varied in size from nineteen to forty-seven members. John S. Taylor directed in 1911. Russell P. Harker directed the band in 1912 and 1913, followed by Carl F. Brand from 1914 to 1916. They were taken tot he Mexican border as part of the Indiana National Guard, Second Regiment's band in 1916. Archie Warner took over directing the band in 1916 and membership grew to over a hundred by 1926. Grover C. Cleaver became drill master in 1924. Mark Hindsley became director in 1926.

"Marching Hundred" name established

Prior to the late 1920s, Indiana's marching band was simply known as the "Indiana University Band." The name "Marching Hundred" traces its origins to the 1927 season, when the band traveled to Boston for a game against Harvard University. During the pregame show at Harvard, the band marched in a 10x10 block, and radio broadcasters dubbed them "Indiana's Marching and Playing 100." The band gained recognition from these broadcasters for its halftime show at Harvard, in which the band spelled out "HARVARD" in a continuous drill, forming each letter successively as they marched across the field. The name given by the radio broadcasters became popular, and starting in 1928, the Indiana University Band began formally branding itself as the "Marching Hundred" in announcements and publications. V. E. Dillard took over direction of the Marching Hundred in 1929.

1930-1969

The Alpha Zeta chapter of Kappa Kappa Psi was established at Indiana University in 1931 in service to the band. By 1939, the band contained 139 members and was directed by Frederick E. Green. When the band expanded to 150 members under Dr. Ronald Gregory in the late 1950s, the name was entrenched. Sasha Ann Hire was the first majorette for the Marching Hundred in the 1950s.

Modern Era

Ray E. Cramer took over directing the Marching Hundred in 1972. That same year the RedStepper Dance Team was added to the Hundred. Women marchers were allowed in 1973 following the passage of Title IX.

Stephen W. Pratt directed the Marching Hundred from 1986 to 1992. David Woodley became Director of the Marching Hundred in 1993. The Marching Hundred received the Sudler Intercollegiate Marching Band Trophy in 2007, recognizing bands of excellence. Construction on a facility for the Marching Hundred began in 2016. The Ray E. Cramer Marching Hundred Hall opened in 2017. Eric M. Smedley was appointed director of athletic bands in 2020, and assumed direction of the Marching Hundred with the appointment. Tiffany Galus was named codirector alongside Smedley in 2023, becoming the first female director for the band.

Despite the name, the Marching Hundred has had as many as 322 members, and membership has rarely dropped below 200 in recent decades.^{[citation needed]}

Super Bowl XLVI

On Saturday, February 5, 2012, the Marching Hundred performed a five-minute pregame show at Super Bowl XLVI in Indianapolis, Indiana. The Hundred performed their signature song "Sing, Sing, Sing" and "ROCK in the USA" written by John Mellencamp, who lives in Bloomington, Indiana. The Hundred performed "R.O.C.K. in the USA" at the request of the NFL in order to demonstrate the culture of Indiana. Although the Hundred's performance was not completely televised, they could be seen in the background as the sports casters were talking about the game.^{[citation needed]}