In 1926, Mansfield State Normal School was changed to Mansfield Teachers College. Under the musical direction of John Myers, the all female school continued bringing music to Mansfield.
By 1941, the country was involved in World War II. Mansfield created an all female ensemble called the Mansfield War Year's Band.
The first Mountie Marching Band performed in 1949 under the direction of Bertram Francis. Four years later, Mr. Francis started the wind ensemble. He continued teaching and contributing to music at Mansfield until the 1970's when Richard Talbot took over the marching band and Donald Stanley took over the wind ensemble. Donald Stanley retired in 1992 after 21 years at Mansfield.
Over the next couple of years, the wind ensemble was under the direction of Ted Rounds, David Borsheim and Joseph Murphy. In 1995, Adam Brennan became Director of Bands at Mansfield University and helps the Mansfield bands' tradition of excellence continue today. As a result of the dedicated work of many musicians and instructors, the wind ensemble and Pride of Pennsylvania Mountie Marching Band have soared to new levels.
Spirit and Pride of Pennsylvania Forms Core of Fan Support for Many Athletic Teams
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With more than 200 members from several states, they�ve earned the reputation as one of the top small college bands in the country.
But for many of the Mountaineer student-athletes, the band has become their pride and joy for the spirit and support they show during home football and field hockey games.
Although band members are recognized by their peers for their outstanding performances, many Mountaineer student-athletes also appreciate band members as some of their most loyal and vocal supporters.
The 200-plus musicians are often the loudest and largest fan base at many home games. They have an impact on Mountaineer players, fans --and the opponents.
Newspaper accounts from as far back as the 1890s describe the almost festive atmosphere created for early games at Symthe Park as the band marched from campus through town and then formed a snake dance back to campus with the student body after a Mountaineer victory.
The Spirit and Pride haven�t marched down to Smythe Park since Karl Van Norman Field opened on campus in 1964. But they continue to fire up fan support at home games from the moment they march through the front gate before kickoff.
�We�re usually in the locker room when the band is playing,� said junior defensive back Jon Mattis. �But we can hear them playing even in there and you can definitely hear them cheering when you�re out on the field.�
When they play, their music can be heard for miles. And when they�re not playing, their cheering can be heard for miles.
The band got a makeover in 1990s when Dr. Adam Brennan took over the baton with a new commitment to returning its reputation back to the lofty heights of the 60s, 70s, and early 80s.
Brennan started running things like � well, like a football coach.
The band reported to preseason camp in August just like the football team and like the team went through grueling three-a-day workouts in the oppressive heat. They practiced after class and sometimes in class.
�It�s absolutely like being a coach,� said Brennan who also serves as chairman of Mansfield�s Music Department. �It�s 99% motivation,� Brennan explained. �It�s providing opportunities for students to succeed and giving them the tools to do it, like drill block basics. Nobody wants to do them, but it�s the foundation to make it work.�
Everyone who attends a football game at Mansfield comes away awed by the way the band sounds. Football players come away awed by the way the band cares.