The Mustang Band has long served as the Hub of SMU Spirit, performing at athletic and ceremonial events for the university. Since SMU’s founding in 1911, the band has contributed significantly to university traditions and a sense of belonging for the student community. Learn about the band’s extensive history below!
1911 Southern Methodist University was founded by what is now the United Methodist Church.
1915-16 SMU held its first classes. The entire university was housed in the only building on campus, Dallas Hall - so named to honor the financial support given by Dallas leaders. Robert S. Hyer became SMU's first president.
1916-17 Lewis Stuckey was inspired to write "Varsity". It was officially adopted as the SMU school song in 1929.
1917-18 Mr. Harold Hart Todd organized the first band at SMU. Harold Hart ToddWhile watching the football team practice one day, Dorothy Amann, President Hyer's secretary, remarked that they looked "like a bunch of wild mustangs". After a campus-wide election, "Mustangs" replaced "Parsons" as the university's mascot.
1918-24 Dr. Gus Foscue and an assistant, Dr. Edwin J. Foscue succeeded Mr. Todd as directors.
1924-25 "Peruna" became the primary fight song of SMU. "Peruna" was a cure-all elixir in the early 1900s. Students would often sing "She'll be loaded with Peruna when she comes" to the tune of "She'll Be Comin' Around the Mountain". There was also a hymn with that same tune, "We Will All Go Out to Meet Our Savior", and upon hearing that song performed at a revival in south Dallas, Cy Barcus was inspired to create a swing version for the band. When the band debuted "Peruna" during the 1924 season, the football team cleared the bench and cheered the band on!
1925-30 The Mustangs won the Southwest Conference in football for the first time in 1926.
1930-31 Halsey Settle directed the band.Halsey Settle
1931-33 Cy Barcus returned as director. Partnering with football coach Ray Morrison, Mr. Barcus purchased a small, spirited horse he had seen on a visit to a nearby farm. Thus, Peruna I made his debut as SMU's mascot.
1933-34 The Band went to San Francisco for the game with St. Mary's. In San Francisco the band played a coast-to-coast broadcast over NBC. The first Pigskin Revue was produced in 1933.
1934-35 The band played at the SMU vs. Fordham game in New York - broadcast over CBS radio. The men's basketball team shared the SWC title with Rice and Arkansas. At the request of NBC Artists Service, the band played a 12-week vaudeville circuit during the summer, including performances in Chicago, Detroit, Philadelphia, and Washington, D.C.
1937-38 The band performed at the UCLA game in Los Angeles. NBC chose the band as "The Outstanding College Musical Organization in America".
1938-39 The band appeared at the SMU vs. Pittsburgh game, where the post-game concert was performed in a blinding snowstorm.
1939-40 The band performed at the SMU vs. Notre Dame game. Jack Rohr came to SMU as a student.
1940-41 Pigskin Revue featured a marching demonstration on stage. The Ponies tied for the SWC football championship.
1941-42 Harry JamesThe band traveled to the Fordham game, played at the Polo Grounds in New York. The great trumpeter/band leader Harry James sat in with the band during one of the pep rallies.
1942-45 Malone took 16 key men from the band to form an Air Force band. Women were encouraged to join the band for the first time since 1923.
1942-46 The World War II veterans returned to the band, and Malone returned as director for the spring of 1946.
1947-38 The football team went undefeated in 1947, winning the conference and playing Penn State in the Cotton Bowl game. Doak Walker won All-American honors.
1948-49 Doak WalkerThe Mustangs again won the SWC and played in the Cotton Bowl, where they beat Oregon on New Year's Day. Doak Walker won the Heisman Trophy and again made All-American. Because of overflow crowds at Ownby Stadium, the Mustangs moved their home games to the Cotton Bowl.
1949-54 The band became known as the Mustang Band, but remained a part of the School of Music.
1954-55 The Men's basketball team started a string of four consecutive SWC Championships with the arrival of Jim Krebs on campus. They reached the West Regional finals in the NCAA Tournament.
1955-56 The Men's basketball team made it to the NCAA Final Four, where they were defeated by the Bill Russell-led San Francisco Dons, the eventual champions.
1956-57 Women were removed from the band. The Men's basketball team reached the NCAA Midwest Regional finals, where they lost to Kansas (led by Wilt Chamberlain).
1958-59 Dreibrodt revitalized the band by returning to the jazz and swing roots established in the early years. He recruited 40 new members, who came to be know as "The Fightin' Forty." The new spirit of the group earned the nickname, "The Hub of SMU Spirit."
1959-60 The band fielded 72 men. New uniforms were added.
1960-61 The band went to Ohio State, where 6000 fans stood amazed as the "Pride of Dallas" played a forty-five minute jazz concert after the game; about half of the concert was carried live over the OSU broadcasting network.
1961-62 The band grew to 96 men and continued to add uniforms, gaining yet another new nickname - "The Best-Dressed Band in the Land." A new song, "Pony Battle Cry" was introduced and album number one, "Mustang Jazz", was recorded.
1962-63 Another year, another moniker: the famous title "96 Guys and a Doll" gained the band continued recognition throughout the nation. Jack Rohr was named Assistant Director.
1963-64 SMU upset nationally ranked Navy (quarterbacked by Rogar Staubach) and went to the Sun Bowl despite having a losing record.
1964-65 The band flew to Ohio State and played the traditional 45-minute concert after the game before about 10,000 fans. The basketball team was SWC co-champs and reached the Midwest Regional.
1965-66 For the first time since 1958, SMU won Homecoming with a 31-14 upset over Texas. "Mustang Jazz Volume 2" was recorded.
1966-67 Jerry LeVias became the first black scholarship player in the Southwest Conference, and the Mustangs scored four last minute victories on their way to the SWC Championship and the Cotton Bowl. The basketball and swim teams also won conference titles.
1967-68 The Mustang Band increased its wardrobe to 20 uniforms.
1968-69 Bob HopeThe band flew to Ohio State. Bob Hope appeared at Pigskin Revue. A new record for "Peruna" - 570 times at TCU. CBS critics selected the Mustang Band as the best television half-time band in the nation following the Bluebonnet Bowl victory over Oklahoma.
1969-70 SMU opened the 100th year of NCAA football on national television. Album 3, Mustang Jazz at the Cotton Bowl, was recorded.
1970-71 President Richard NixonThe week of October 26-31, the Mustang Band served as honor band to President Richard Nixon, and rehearsed all week with Bob Hope for the Bob Hope Show Wednesday and Thursday nights.
1971-72 Sammy the Owl (Rice's mascot) made a guest appearance at Pigskin Revue. Big NaomiBig Naomi was born for the Texas game. Men's basketball tied Texas for the SWC title. They lost the play-off game in Waco, despite the band playing almost non-stop throughout the game. (Shortly after this, the NCAA prohibited bands from traveling to away basketball games other than post-season tournaments.)
1972-73 The Mustang Band welcomed the University's sixth president, Paul Hardin, to SMU.
1973-74 The Band Hall was remodeled over the summer. Bill Lively returned to the band as Associate Director. The Band recorded its fourth album, "Strictly Seventy-Four", during a live conert in McFarlin Auditorium.
1974-75 The Mustang Band administratively went under the auspices of the Athletic Department.
1975-76 President Gerald R. FordThe Mustang Band started the year by playing for President Gerald R. Ford and presenting him with a beanie. Southwest Conference Jazz was recorded.
1976-77 The full band traveled on buses to Birmingham for the game against Alabama.
1977-78 Bob BrandenbergerBob Brandenberger, a former band member, returned as Associate Director.
1978-79 "Mustang Mania Jazz" was recorded. The Band was chosen as the Governor's official inaugural band by Bill Clements and provided entertainment during the inaugural ball.
1979-80 The Mustangs moved their home games to Texas Stadium. The Band set a new record of 701 playing "Peruna" at the Tulane game.
1980-81 Our beloved Jack Rohr retired in January after nearly 40 years of dedicated service. The Ponies began the decade with a terrific 8-3 season, including a great trip to San Diego for the Holiday Bowl.
1981-82 University President Shields sent the Band to the Arkansas game- dubbed the "Polyester Bowl" beacuse the team was ineligible for the Cotton Bowl- and the Ponies won to wrap up a 10-1 season.
1982-83 Jack RohrThe Mustangs went undefeated and won the Cotton Bowl. The Band produced the 50th Pigskin Revue and celebrated Dr. Dreibrodt's 25th year at SMU. Jack Rohr, former arranger and Associate Director, passed away in November.
1983-84 Louis Dorfman, Jr.Coach retired in September after 25 years as Director. Tommy Tucker and Louis Dorfman, Jr. came on board as Staff Arranger/Assistant Director and Administrative Assistant, respectively. Tommy TuckerThe Ponies went 10-1 and the Band went to every game, including a "gully-washer" TV game in Little Rock, a fantastic trip to the Mirage Bowl in Tokyo to play Houston, and an appearance at the Sun Bowl in El Paso. Men's basketball made the NCAA Tournament, losing to eventual champion Georgetown in the second round.
1984-85 The Mustangs were SWC co-champs with a 9-2 record and earned a trip to the Aloha Bowl in Honolulu, Hawaii. The Band had a great week on Oahu and helped to Ponies to a 27-20 win over Notre Dame. Men's basketball again reached the NCAA Tournament.
1985-86 "Mustang Jazz - On the Road" was recorded. Men's basketball made the NCAA Tournament.
1986-87 The band helped celebrate the University's 75th year with Pigskin Revue, A Diamond Jubilee Salute.
1987-88 The football team began serving the "Death Penalty", the harshest punishment ever given by the NCAA. The Band took a Revue-like show on the road to Houston and San Antono. Men's basketball won the SWC regular season and post-season tournament.
1989-90 Football returned to Ownby Stadium for the first time since 1948, and the Band christened the stadium with a new version of "Varsity". "Red Hot 'n Blues" was recorded. Cy Barcus and former SMU President Willis Tate passed away.
1990-91 The 58th Pigskin Revue, Rock 'M' Roll, featured the return of alumnus Butch Arnold on keyboards. The Diamond M Club Endowment total passed the $100,000 mark.
1992-93 The Band performed at a Dallas Cowboys game in Texas Stadium and celebrated the 60th anniversary of Pigskin Revue. Men's Basketball won the SWC Championship and an NCAA berth, and the Lady Mustangs made an appearance in the NWIT.
1993-94 The Lady Mustangs earned their first berth in the NCAA Post-season tournament.
1995-96 New Director David T. Kehler and Assistant Director Bret Spainhour arrived at SMU. Home football games were moved back to the Cotton Bowl. The Lady Mustangs earned their third straight appearance in the NCAA Tournament.
1996-97 Tommy Tucker rejoined the staff as Assistant Director and Arranger. The Mustangs began their first season in the Western Athletic Conference. Homecoming featured a western theme and Pigskin Revue was a combined performance of the Mustang Band and Jerry Jeff Walker. The Band accompanied both Men's and Women's basketball teams to Las Vegas for the WAC tournament and was voted the best band there. A new album, "High Road on the Hilltop", was recorded in April with the legends of Texas Swing, The Light Crust Doughboys.
1997-98 "The Highroad on the Hilltop" was released and qualified into the second round of the 1998 Grammy Awards in several categories. The band performed music from that CD with the Light Crust Doughboys at the Cotton Bowl in the fall and in a live performance in the spring for "Good Morning Texas." The band again enjoyed supporting the Mustangs at the WAC Basketball Tournament in Las Vegas and supported the Lady Mustangs at the Women's NCAA Basketball Tournament.
1998-99 The Mustang Band appeared at the ground-breaking ceremony for the new Gerald J. Ford Stadium and performed at the memorial service for SMU's legendary Doak Walker. The band supported the men's and women's basketball teams in Las Vegas for the WAC tournament and cheered on the Lady Mustang's as they achieved their first-ever WAC Tournament Championship. The Mustang Band then traveled to Athens, Georgia supporting the Lady Mustangs at the NCAA Women's Basketball Tounament.
1999-2000 The band traveled to the WAC tournament in Fresno, California, then flew cross-country to support the women's team through two rounds of the NCAA Tournament.
2000-01 SMU opened Gerald J. Ford Stadium. The game featured new uniforms for the Band, a temperatures of 107 degrees at kickoff and a win over Kansas. In January, the Band marched in the inaugural Parade in Washington, D.C. at the request of President-Elect George W. Bush and his wife, Laura (an SMU alumna).
2001-02 "Peruna 2001, A Mustang Band Odyssey" was recorded.
2002-03 The Band made it to Houston for the Rice game, arriving right at kickoff (thanks to a large dip in Huntsville!). The Mustang Band was a hit once again at the WAC Tournament in Tulsa, and even did a "paying" gig outside the arena before the semi-final games.
2003-04 The year started with road trips to two old Southwest Conference sites, Lubbock and Waco, and ended with a trip to Fresno, California, for the annual WAC Tournament.
2004-05 The year concluded with a trip to Reno, Nevada for SMU's final WAC Tournament. David T. Kehler resigned to pursue his Doctorate degree on a full-time basis.
2005-06 Don Hopkins, a former band member, became the new director. The Mustangs moved into Conference USA and the football team responded with five victories, including the only loss of the year for TCU. The Band traveled to its first C-USA basketball tournament in Memphis.
2006-07 The band enjoyed a weekend in New Orleans for the Tulane game along with trips to Lubbock, Denton, and a "last-minute" trip to Houston for the Rice game. Pigskin Revue returned to McFarlin Auditorium for the first time in seven years. Basketball tournaments featured a trip to Tulsa and a return visit to Memphis.
2007-08 The band fielded 83 members, marking its' largest membership in more than twenty years. The band accompanied the women's basketball team to the C-USA tournament in Orlando, Florida (and helped them win it!) and to the NCAA ournament in West Lafayette, Indiana.
2008-09 SMU made headlines by hiring June Jones to coach the football team. The band opened the season with an overnight trip to Houston for June Jones' first game (on ESPN) against Rice. The season also featured two days in New Orleans for the first collegiate game to be played in the Superdome after Hurricane Katrina. Upon returning to Dallas, the band performed at the Dallas Cowboys vs. Washington Redskins game during the final season in Texas Stadium. Basketball season saw the women win the regular season conference title!
2009-10 Conch shell at Hawaii BowlThe Ponies shocked the nation with a record of 7-5 and an invitation to the Hawai'i Bowl, where they polished off Nevada 45-10! Of course, the band was there - even if it was Christmas Eve! While in Honolulu, the band performed at Hickam Air Force Base, Waikiki Beach, the Diamond Head Basketball Classic (the SMU men's team was playing), and of course, Aloha Stadium.
2010-11 The Band accompanied the football team to Orlando for the C-USA Championship game against the University of Central Florida, led by the first female drum major in the band's history, Amanda Weise. The band (and team) also went to the Armed Forces Bowl, even though it was played in our own stadium. The Band then was featured at SMU's first Founder's Day celebration in April.
2011-12 Pigskin Revue returned to campus and was a smash hit. The band performed at the BBVA-Compass Bowl in Birmingham, Alabama. A new CD was recorded, and the official groundbreaking for the new band hall was held at Founder's Day.
2012-13 Pigskin Revue returned to McFarlin Auditorium as a result of a fund-raising effort led by band seniors. Incorporating talent from across the University helped ensure the success of the show! Another bowl trip to Hawai'i closed the football season. In basketball news, the legendary Larry Brown began his tenure as head coach of the Men's team,and the Women's team won the regular-season C-USA title. The year ended with a performance at the opening of the George W. Bush Presidential Center.
2013-14 SMU joined the newly-formed American Athletic Conference. Football season began and ended with extreme tempertures for kickoffs: 101 degrees on August 30, and 24 degrees on December 7. Basketball season began with endless trips to Garland while the remodeling of Moody Coliseum was completed. But it proved to be worth it: the men's team advanced to the finals of the National Invitational Tournament in New York, treating the band to five days in Manhattan!
2014-15 The new Mustang Band Hall had its' Grand Opening in September with a gala celebration. The band cheered on the men's basketball team as they added to their regular-season title by winning the conference post-season tournament in Connecticut. The band and team then traveled to Louisville for the men's NCAA Tournament - which ended abruptly with a controversial loss to UCLA in the first round.
2015-16 It was a difficult year. We welcomed yet another new football coach - Chad Morris. While hanging tough with the five top twenty teams on our schedule, it was another long season. Pigskin Revue (and Homecoming) was held in September to coordinate with the official Centennial of SMU. In December, our beloved Administrative Assistant, Rae Jones, was moved to another University department. Basketball was bittersweet: The men began with 18 consecutive victories, but NCAA probation meant no post-season. In March, we said goodbye to Rhonda Rompola, who retired after 25 years as coach of the Women's basketball team..
2016-17 Other than a thorough beating of then-#11 Houston, football season was a disappointment. And an exciting basketball season - the Mustangs were regular season and tournament champions of the AAC - ended with a thud as the Ponies suffered yet another one-point first-round loss in the NCAA Tournament. After a couple of small recruiting classes, the Band welcomed 25 new students in August! Pigskin Revue featured lots of songs about roads, and featured every style of music from Glenn Miller to Manhattan Transfer to Willie Nelson!
2017-18 The Mustang Band turned 100 years old and celebrated with a "Mustang Band Birthday Bash" at Pigskin Revue. Another large incoming class (29) continued to boost the membership numbers, and the Band held recording sessions in the Band Hall for a Centennial-themed CD. Football season ended with a forgettable experience in the brand new Frisco Bowl, and a rash of injuries derailed the men's basketball season.
2018-19 A first-year class of 32 pushed the Band's membership near the 90-person mark for the first time in several years. A new football coach. Sonny Dykes, arrived on the Hilltop.
2019-20 An exciting football season gave way to nothingness. The Mustangs reached the Top 25 for the first time in decades, finishing with 10 wins. The reward - for the team and the Band - was a trip to Boca Raton, Florida for the Cherribundi Bowl. Basketball had some thrills, too, but just before the men's conference tournament in March, the world shut down due to COVID-19. Everyone finished the semester remotely as "Zoom" became an all-too-common companion.
2020-21 With COVID-19 protocols in place, the band and the University resumed operations. The band utilized "socially-distanced" rehearsals and performed only in the stands at football games. Pigskin Revue happened in virtual form, as old and new videos were put together for the production. Don Hopkins retired in January, and Tommy Tucker assumed the role of Interim Director.