Australian Reacts to Pride of the Southland March to the Stadium

[@Bell31813]

What you saw is known as the "salute to the hill." It's a tribute to the oldest building on campus which is at the top of the hill the band marched down.

[@victorjohnson7512]

The University of Tennessee just won the College Baseball "World Series" this year too. They had quite a celebration parade.

[@mfree80286]

230 years of developing pageantry. UT's older than the actual state by two years, 1794.

[@hamah13]

Recent Pride of the Southland Band (POTS) Alumna here! We always love to introduce our gameday culture to new people, so I really appreciate the reaction! Fun Fact: there are currently 415 members in the Pride, and we are one of the few collegiate marching bands that performs a new half-time show each home game! If you're interested in watching some of our halftime shows, I highly recommend our 2022 "Halloween in Neyland" Show and our Circle Drill (which is a tradition we do for away/bowl games and one select game in the middle of the season). We also do a precision line drill with various school & state songs before each game called Pre-game if you are interested in watching that. Cheers!

[@williambeeler7805]

Lyle, This is normal at all the major University football programs. This stadium holds about 106,000 people and is full EVERY home game.

[@aliciamartin2024]

Loved watching your face! Great REAL reaction Lyle! A couple of things: there are whole generations of families that went to the school, also... better than anything else on a Saturday for everyone. Sometime ask about the high school games. They are not as big as college games, but nonetheless they are just as involved. ❤

[@sparkieT88]

the guy in the hat with the gun is also a mascot of Tenn. they are called the volunteers because a lot of people went from Tenn to Texas to help fight in their war against Mexico. most of the people at the Alamo came from Tenn. im not sure if the character is supposed to be Davy Crockett or just a generic guy, i dont know.

[@cmillivol98]

It is Davy Crockett!

[@rebeccas79]

I live only a few miles from the UT campus. Don't even consider going to Knoxville on a game day - the streets are choked with UT fans dressed in orange and singing Rocky Top. It's actually amazing to witness. Glad you did a reaction to this.

[@alapaticornell4391]

This are college tradition going back more than 150 years. 50 years older than the NFL. Blessings to everyone.🎉🎉🎉

[@isuperhollow]

Regarding the mascot 2:12 that is Davy Crockett a native of East Tennessee, was a soldier and congressman from Greene County. Truly the embodiment of the Volunteer Spirit, Crockett led a 12-man group known as the "Tennessee Mounted Volunteers" during the Battle of the Alamo where he gave his life volunteering for freedom. His legacy lives on as "Davy" still leads volunteers today, proudly flying the Tri-Star flag as he runs Tennessee's teams onto the field and the famous Power-T flag throughout each game.

[@scottyray8004]

I had season tickets to the Football games at Neyland Stadium from 1992 - 2006. I went to every home game. This is part of every home game day. 2 hrs before kickoff the fans line the route the band always takes to the stadium. You talk about setting the mood.,It makes the hairs all over stand on end. Rocky Top our unofficial/official fight song! Makes you ready to run thru a wall! 😂😂 Love the atmosphere on Game Days in Knoxville. I’m getting older and I miss them days. I am and always will be,thru thick or thin, a Tennessee Volunteer (Vol For Life VFL)!! Go Big Orange! East Tennessean born and raised! If you cut me I’d bleed Orange! That’s just how it is!

[@buddystewart2020]

The band members are kind of like the football players. And what I mean is, very few of the total members of that football team will go on the the NFL. Some will go on to sports administration jobs. Some will go onto coaching. Some will just go on to a business career of some type. Same with the music majors at the school. Some will major in performance and may go on to work as professional musicians, either classical or other genres. Some will go on to teach. Some will go on to non-musical careers. Those band members have to work hard and practice to be in that band, as well as keep up all their studies in all their other required classes. Both teams at college football games have their own school bands, and they both come to the games. They both do a halftime show, during halftime in the middle of the game. When their respective teams scores on the field, their band will usually strike up an abbreviated version of their school song etc. The whole game, from before the game, the entrance, the game, the halftime...it's a complete experience. You're not just coming for a game, you're coming for a complete college football experience.

[@emanueldixson5645]

This is done every home game no matter the weather. I've done it in nearly 100° days and cold rainy nights. The segment where we stop and the majorettes perform is a tradition called "Salute to the Hill" in honor of Ayres Hall the university's first building which still stands on the hill and holds classes

[@user-zf8cc5pt1n]

The girls with the batons are Majorettes. And yes they do this every home game along with every other college and high school. Love that you enjoy this.

[@skiptrace1888]

Your starting to get it, bro! Weird & Wonderful describes it perfectly! I grew up in Tennessee, and graduated from UT Knoxville in 1992. We have an expression to sum up our loyalty to College sports there, WE BLEED ORANGE. Thanks for a great vid, bro! It is heart warming to see your astonishment and appreciation as a sports fan! GO BIG 🍊! P.S. we just won the National Championship in Baseball !!!! 😂😊😂😊

[@pauldshel]

This happens before every home game. There is somewhere between 30,000 to 40,000 people outside the stadium. It is like pep orally before the game. The players also walk down from the dormitory to the stands. It is a very cool and exciting environment . I have experienced this several times and there is nothing like it. Once in side the stadium right when the team comes out of the tunnel through the T it is so loud you can’t hear the person beside you talking in your ear. It makes Chill bumps come up all over your body. It is the coolest experience in sports.

[@brucew7062]

You will see me wearing a different Missouri Tigers shirt every Saturday during college football season. My family knows to not make plans during game times unless that plan is to get to the stadium a bit early to catch some of the festivities. Absolutely love college football and its culture.

[@holstonusa]

One thing I think can help you understand why there is so much going on for one game is that the football season is only 12 games long, over three months. That means there are only 6 home games a year. That makes each one special. In four years of college, you will only be attending about 24 home football games Maximum. That is why every game is so big and so special. You guessed right about the songs being played. The one they played the most and the one the crowd was responding to was "Rocky Top". Other fight songs played by the band was "Fight, Vols, Fight" and "Down the Field". The band also ends each game with "The Tennessee Waltz", whether the team wins or loses, except two years ago at the Alabama game, when a last-second field goal caused such an explosion of fans storming the field the band was not able to play the song.

[@brucew7062]

Such a rough time from early January until late August when there is no college football. 😁

[@jimtaylor1045]

Sorry if already posted. The colors of all the other flags represent the school colors of the other Southeastern Conference Schools. For example, Black and Gold is Vanderbilt University.

[@sheilahowington6537]

Very proud of our Tn Volunteers!! Go Vols 🧡🤍 Smokey the dog is our beloved maskot..The man with the rifle is known as a Tn volunteer..we are known as the Volunteer State!! Thanks for watching our awesome Band this ritual is performed before every game it’s Southern pride..Our cheerleaders are female&male

[@scottyray8004]

That’s just there near the stadium. It is packed elbow to elbow the entire route which is a pretty good trek! It’s amazing!

[@bevinboulder5039]

Lyle, maybe it will help you get your head around all this to know that all this pageantry surrounding football starts in high school. So all these players in the band have previously played in their local high school band. And there are many many high schools that feed musicians, cheerleaders, twirlers, football players, etc to the big universities. It's just different than in any other country, apparently.

[@jlyo1991]

If you’re curious, the song they did on repeat is Rocky Top. You will hear it OVER AND F-ING OVER on game day. Those girls with flags were part of the band and the colors were just part of their halftime show display.

[@holstonusa]

Actually, the flags represent the colors of each university in the Southeastern Conference, the league that Tennessee plays in. At the time, there were 14 universities in the conference. With the 2024 season, two more universities will be joining the conference, bringing the number of flags to 16, each with the color of one of the universities.

[@jlyo1991]

@@holstonusa interesting. Didn’t pick up on that.

[@colleenmonfross4283]

The historical figure is likely to be Davey Crockett, also known as the King of the Wild Frontier.

[@beckyrinaldi6622]

Tennessee fans are amazing. Thank you for this reaction.

[@Bamagirl-uf8xn]

This is fan loyalty. Most of the people in the crowd are there for to salute the hill. Not all of them go to the game.

[@chrisperkins561]

Love these videos...I'm American, been a college football fan over 40 years. I also spent 6 years as a contributor to a couple of shows on SEN Radio down there...I'd be happy to talk thus sport with you anytime

[@carolburnett190]

Even high school bands have “flag girls” and majorettes.

[@Adam-us5dv]

Check out “Pride of the Southland Circle Drill”. That is the most impressive feat I’ve seen from a marching band. They are also best known for the “Running through the T” entrance.

[@TheCyclingVet]

Alum of both the Pride of the Southland and the University of Tennessee Army ROTC program. Yes, those were Reserve Officer Training Corps cadets carrying the National, State, and University Colors at the front. Depending on how old this that video is, they could all be officers in the United States Army by now. The orange and white flags represent the University of Tennessee. The other flags represent the other schools in the SEC. What you saw was what is called the Salute to the Hill. The Hill comprises the oldest part of the campus. We started that back in 93 or 94 (I was in the band from 92-95).

[@ashtonjernigan8961]

You should react to the SEC schools… lots of tradition. Auburn has Tiger Walk, Rolling Toomer’s Corner, Eagle Pregame Flight… etc. Most schools have a rich history of tradition in the South including some of the bigger names around the US such as Ohio State, Oregon, Michigan, Notre Dame… but (biased) opinion the Southern schools are a good start with massive followings! Love the videos.

[@disizbilly]

Howdy from TN where its great to be a Tennessee Vol!

[@nadinamedlin3432]

one year they had a bunch of bagpipes. it was so cool

[@TravisCyprien]

Welcome to the SEC, look up LSU Tiger Band The Hill and also look up LSU Tiger Band Pregame in Stadium

[@ranger-1214]

Besides the band, you saw cheerleaders, twirlers, conference team flag bearers, and mascots. Come a day or two early, or very early game day and tailgate cookout, etc. An all-day experience since you only get 6 or some home games each season.

[@Svoboda1234]

You need to watch the post game of that Tennessee vs Alabama game you reacted to. 50000 people on the field smoking cigars tore down the goalposts and threw them in the river.

[@hardtackbeans9790]

The Uni of Tennessee has a great band. I don't know about their traditions but this looks pretty simple to set up every home game. Well . . . Simple except for crowd control. LOL!! There have been a few high schools with even bigger bands. Not as good a musicians. But there are smaller, elite bands even in high school.

[@beckyrinaldi6622]

Was born in Tennessee in 1959 and am STILL a UT fan :)

[@TheMJfromTN]

The pregame show in the stadium is a must-watch. It ends with the famous "run through the T" team entrance.

[@DariusHilarious]

Wait until you find out about Jackson State Sonic Boom of the South 😂

[@user-lg9tn6bi7p]

So you reacted to Tennessee's Pride of the Southland Marching Band going into Neyland Stadium now you should react to the pregame show once they are inside Neyland Stadium 😂. It's really good!!!

[@jeremytrotter3375]

i keep catching my self answering you out loud like as if it was possible you were hearing me lol

[@PatrolNation]

Lol.

[@adrianoskie]

You HAVE to check out Southern University's band. They're called The Human Jukebox. Listen to "Still Fly" by them.

[@bishlap]

Just your typical Saturday College Football game in the SEC.

[@user-zf8cc5pt1n]

iF you want to see a march into the stadium, Check out PVAMU, Jackson State University and Texas Southern Ocean of Soul. What a show!!!!!!

[@nadinamedlin3432]

after the band the coaches and team walk by on their way to the stadium

[@carolinemccaleb]

The "guy" is Davy Crockett". Yes, an historical figure!

[@TheFoolish727]

Another great band is from Western Carolina University, they’re one of the biggest in the nation with over 500 members. One of their best shows is “Believe” from 2019

[@marycutshaw305]

He's Davey Crockett, Dude! Rocky Top!

[@melissa564]

Look up the entrance song: “ Rocky Top Tennessee “

[@morganadamo4706]

You Should react to SEC fight Songs now including Texas and Oklahoma

[@SequatchieVOL]

GO Big 🍊!

[@user-lg9tn6bi7p]

I absolutely love our Pride Of The Southland Band but you should definitely check out HBCU bands!! I've grown to love Alabama State!! Their band is freaking amazing!! It's just a different kind of marching band. I can't really explain it you should see for yourself

[@genny5309]

Someone needs to send you a good clip of the halftime show and circle drills.

[@thundacracka77]

As an Auburn fan, I can support Tennessee every time they play Georgia or Alabama.

[@user-lg9tn6bi7p]

And I can support Auburn every time yall play Alabama and Georgia brother. The enemy of my enemy is my friend 😅😅

[@user-lg9tn6bi7p]

And good luck this season 👍!!

[@AlleghenyRunner]

Yes they are all students in the band

[@utvolsfan1976]

You have to come to Tennessee for a game! Go Vols!

[@bernadette3069]

This is Vol Walk on game day. Go Vols 🧡

[@nadinamedlin3432]

you have to see it in person

[@Ď1_Vółùñțèéřş]

Go Vols GBO 🍊

[@jeremytrotter3375]

all the other flags behind the tennessee flag were the rest of the sec school colors

[@peggysoutherland1183]

Good one Lyle.

[@waltermaples3998]

Lyle if you're in the USA 🇺🇸 in the Fall you have to go to College Football 🏈 Game. War Eagle 🦅 🧡💙. I went to Auburn University the Tigers. We do the Tiger 🐯 walk it's about a half mile the Band and cheerleaders lead with the Coaches and Players following so much fun. War Eagle 🦅

[@thundacracka77]

War Damn Eagle brother.

[@waltermaples3998]

@@thundacracka77 😉👍🧡💙 🦅

[@MrJoeygoose]

UT is more than a school in east Tennessee. Go Vols

[@hucknanjing1083]

When people say football is a lifestyle that's not a joke it's true everyone from players and coaches down to the fans eat sleep and sh*t FOOTBALL

[@johnboyjohn24]

If you don’t do Oklahoma vs. Texas you’re doing yourself a disservice. #hornsdown

[@baronvonbiscuts8608]

reacting to the wrong band my friend try Jackson state or southern

[@momD612]

Tennessee Vols suck. 😂😂😂 the fans hang in there & are constantly disappointed. 😅

[@cmillivol98]

Lemme guess - Bama football, Kentucky basketball?

[@momD612]

@@cmillivol98 woof!! & chop!! Ga all the way! 🤣🥰🥰

[@cmillivol98]

@@momD612 ah so you're miserable 8 months of the year, got it😂

[@momD612]

@@cmillivol98 not hardly. 🤣🤣🤣

[@momD612]

@cmillivol98 very wrong. Again. 🤣🤣 championships to brag about & be proud of 👏 👏 🥰