Communities
Band Alumni Council
The Pride of the Southland Marching Band Alumni Council advises and supports the UT Knoxville Band program and Band leadership.
Activities
Advance and advocate for The Pride of the Southland Marching Band and its members
Develop special programs for alumni, current Pride members, and the university
Cultivate scholarships for current Pride members
Build engagement and philanthropy among Pride alumni to benefit The Pride of the Southland Marching Band and encourage mentorship opportunities
Major events include: Homecoming, Holiday Pep Band, and the Orange & White game.
Around the Ladder Podcast
Relive memories and get an insiders’ perspective of the rich history and tradition of the Pride of the Southland in this podcast hosted by alum and former Pride trumpet player Ronnie Boling.
Listen to the Podcast
Pride of the Southland Store
A selection of Pride of the Southland Band merchandise is available for purchase online.
Get your GearJoin the Council
Interested in joining the Band Alumni Council? Applications are due December 1.
- Larry Murphy, President
- Dr. Jeff Barnes
- Ronnie Boling
- Carrie Creswell
- Dr. Bill Dabbs, Past President
- Haley Kesler
- Brent Lackey
- Bryan Massengale
- Doug McKay, Treasurer
- Cash Murphy
- Betty Myers
- Cameron Rowlett
- Shelbi Ruffino, Secretary
- Brooke Smith
- Cody Strickland
- Harris Taylor
- Holly Vining
- Andrew Vogel, Vice President
- Amber Young
Scholarships
Every member of the Pride of the Southland Marching Band receives a scholarship. This significant milestone was made possible through the loyal support of hundreds of alumni, friends, parents, and fans who believed our talented students deserve to be recognized for their contributions to UT, the state of Tennessee, and Volunteer Athletics programs. Learn more about Band Alumni scholarship funds and endowments.
A Scholarship for Every Band Member
Every member of the Pride of the Southland Marching Band is awarded a scholarship, a long-held goal of the Pride first achieved in 2014. This significant milestone is made possible through the loyal support of hundreds of alumni, friends, parents, and fans who believe our talented students deserve to be recognized for their contributions to UT, the state, and Volunteer Athletics.
The Pride has three general scholarship funds that provide a revenue pool used by the Band director to award deserving students and recruit talented freshman. The amount raised each year determines the number of scholarships that can be awarded. Donors can also give to two general support funds, one that supports Alumni Council activities, and one that supports general needs of the Pride such as instruments and uniforms.
General Scholarship Funds
- UT Band Scholarship Fund available to all members of the Pride
- UT Color Guard Scholarship Fund
- UT Majorette Scholarship Fund
General Scholarship Funds
- UT Band Alumni Support Fund
Supports activities of the UT Band Alumni Council Such as Homecoming, alumni events, outreach, and Senior Sendoff - UT Band Excellence Fund
Supports general needs of the Pride such as instruments, uniforms, equipment, etc.
Scholarship endowments to the Pride provide a perpetual income stream that will underwrite scholarships for Pride of the Southland members for generations to come. We are grateful for those donors who have invested in the band in this capacity to provide scholarship support in perpetuity.
Endowments can be created through multi-year pledges or through a deferred gift through your estate.
To learn more about creating a permanent scholarship endowment or to make a gift to existing Pride endowments, please contact Brian Hardy, director of development at bhardy@utfi.org or 865-974-5439.
Current Band Alumni Scholarship Endowments
- Roy and Mildred Acuff Music Scholarship Endowment
- Andy Allen Band Scholarship Endowment
- Alvin and Sally Beaman UTK Endowment
- Mike & Nancy Berry Scholarship Endowment
- V. Earl and Judy T. Brown Band Scholarship Endowment
- Burkhart Family Endowed Band Scholarship
- Chadwell-Mays Band Scholarship Endowment
- Matthew Keith Christian Scholarship Endowment
- Litton Cochran Band Scholarship Endowment
- Judy Barton Cox Head Majorette Endowed Scholarship
- Thomas R. and Elaine S. Edwards Endowed Band Scholarship
- Blaine J. Farmer, Jr. Drum Major Scholarship Endowment
- Garrison Family Endowed Band Scholarship Don Hough Band Endowment
- W J Julian Band Scholarship Endowment
- Dr. John J. Killeffer Band Scholarship Endowment
- Lyon Family Scholarship Endowment
- Walter & Hannah McDaniel Band Scholarship Endowment
- McKamey Band Endowment
- David and Rosemary Medley Endowed Band Scholarship
- Betty S. Myers Color Guard Scholarship Endowment
- Dr. William K. Salmons Band Scholarship Endowment
- H. Garry and Rebecca J. Tener Endowed Band Scholarship
- Charles Weaver Memorial Scholarship Endowment
- John Wooten Scholarship Endowment
- UTK Alumni Band Council Scholarship Endowment
