From Morgantown to the NFL: How WVU’s ‘Pride of West Virginia’ Became the League’s Most Electrifying Marching Band
For decades, the sound of brass and the thunder of drums have echoed through the hills of Morgantown, but few could have predicted that the West Virginia University Marching Band—affectionately known as The Pride of West Virginia—would someday take center stage in the most unexpected of arenas: the National Football League.
The journey began modestly, as all legends do. Founded in 1901, The Pride earned respect through precision, pageantry, and power. Known for their thrilling pregame “circle drill” and heart-pounding renditions of “Country Roads,” the band became a staple in college football. But everything changed in 2022, when a viral halftime video from Milan Puskar Stadium caught the attention of NFL executives.
The video showcased a jaw-dropping medley of Beyoncé, Metallica, and John Denver—complete with intricate drill formations spelling “WVU” in cursive, a golden Mountaineer silhouette, and synchronized backfield horn flashes that rivaled NFL pyrotechnics. Within 48 hours, the performance had over 15 million views across platforms. The NFL took notice.
That season, the Baltimore Ravens invited The Pride to perform at halftime during a nationally televised game against the Pittsburgh Steelers. The result was electric. Fans were stunned by the blend of Appalachian soul and metropolitan showmanship. The band’s unique fusion of country roots with high-octane energy captured the imagination of viewers across the country. Overnight, The Pride became more than a college band—they were a cultural sensation.
The following year, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell made an unprecedented announcement: The Pride of West Virginia would be the official rotating halftime entertainment for select primetime NFL games throughout the season, including Thursday Night Football and Thanksgiving matchups. No other collegiate band had ever received such an honor.
With custom uniforms designed by Nike, a traveling crew of 375 students and staff, and support from WVU alumni in all 32 NFL cities, The Pride toured the country, dazzling crowds in Foxborough, Kansas City, Seattle, and beyond. Their signature closer, a thunderous, cinematic rendition of “Take Me Home, Country Roads,” brought tears to eyes from coal towns to coastlines. NFL players, moved by the performances, began posting videos of themselves singing along in locker rooms.
By 2025, ESPN dubbed them “the league’s most electrifying marching band.” Even the Super Bowl came calling—The Pride delivered a pregame spectacle at Super Bowl LX, leading a 10-minute medley of American classics and WVU fight songs, culminating in a fireworks-laced rendition of “Simple Gifts.”
Though their hearts remain in Morgantown, The Pride of West Virginia now beats for an entire nation. With every soaring trumpet line and thunderous snare, they’ve redefined what it means to be a marching band—proving that sometimes, the brightest lights shine from the hills.
