Prior to 1967, the men in the band wore green blazers and gray slacks with striped green and white ties, while the women wore the same blazers and ties, but with gray skirts. But in 1966 when Gene Thrailkill took over the direction of the OUMB from Minelli the "big switch" came about. This included removing all women and majorettes from the band in the 1967 fall marching season. Despite the removal of the majorettes, Thrailkill decided to keep a drum major and a twirler. 

In 1967, Thrailkill introduced the hard-driving, high-energy style you see today.  Bill Fay was the first drum major of the "Marching Men of Ohio," while freshman David Fowler was the twirler (Fowler would later begin the tradition of dancing to "Ain't Been Good" which the 110 still performs today). The removal of women from the band caused quite a big controversy in Athens resulting in articles in The Post (Ohio University's student newspaper) and letters to the editor. According to Tom Edwards (OUMB announcer 1966-1969), Thrailkill gave a big pep-talk before the first home game in 1967. "He said that the drive-on and the first note of Stand Up and Cheer would either make or break this band forever. Obviously, the student body was absolutely blown away -- and the controversy died a very quick death."

During the first year of the "new" band, the band was called the "100 Marching Men of Ohio," similar to the "Marching Men of Michigan;" Thrailkill's Alma Mater. The next year, in 1968, the band became known as the "110 Marching Men of Ohio;" the 110 symbolizing the Marching 110 of today.

Many other changes involving the band occurred in the late 60's as well. The Ohio University fight song, Stand Up and Cheer, debuted in it's current form with a fanfare to introduce the song. The Ohio University Alma Mater was also changed by the adding of a new introduction.

Highlights of the Marching 110

• In 1974, the 110 began the annual tradition of performing at the Ohio Theatre in Columbus, Ohio.

• On October 28, 1976 the Marching 110 became the first marching band ever to perform in Carnegie Hall in New York.

• In 1993, the Marching 110 traveled to Washington DC to play in the Inaugural Parade for Bill Clinton. The 110 then also played a concert for the presidential inaugural ball.

• In October 1996 the Marching 110 opened for First Lady Hillary Clinton's speech at Baker Center in Athens.

• In September 1998, the Marching 110 performed the opening ceremonies for the LPGA Solheim Cup on the 18th fairway at the Muirfield Village Golf Club in Dublin, Ohio.

• In October 1998, the Marching 110 had the honor of performing at the Playhouse Square Light the Lights opening of the restored Allen Theatre. The show featured The Alice Farley Dancers, several of Cleveland's corporate leaders, Ohio Governor George Voinovich and his wife Janet, Broadway director, choreographer and dancer Tommy Tune, the Manhattan Kings, the Cleveland Opera, the Cleveland San Jose Ballet, Ohio Ballet, DanceCleveland, the Great Lakes Theater Festival and Dancing Wheels, Mike Burstyn the star of "Jolson," and finally the Ohio University Marching 110.

• During the 1999 marching season the Marching 110 performed at the Ohio/Ohio State game in Columbus, the Cincinnati Bengals/St. Louis Rams game in Cincinnati, and the Cleveland Browns /Baltimore Ravens game in Cleveland. It marked the first time that the 110 had ever performed in the three largest stadiums in the state of Ohio all in the same season. The Ohio State game drew a crowd of 93,222, the Bengals had 45,481 in attendance, and the Browns drew 72,898.

• During the 2000 marching season the Marching 110 performed at the Cleveland Browns /Baltimore Ravens game in Cleveland, as well as the Cincinnati Bengals/Tennessee Titans game in Cincinnati. The Browns game drew a crowd of 73,018 on October 1, and the Bengals game drew a crowd of 63,406 on October 8.

• Also during the 2000 season, the Marching 110 performed for an estimated 2.5 million live viewers and an estimated 65 million NBC viewers in the Macy*s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Also while in NYC on Thanksgiving Day, the 110 was appeared on Good Morning America during a live update from the parade and was also shown later that day on The Late Show with David Letterman.

• On September 30th, 2001, the Marching 110 took part in one of the most emotional events of the year.  Less than three weeks after the September 11th tragedy in New York City, the 110 took the field for halftime of the New York Giants football game, the first since the terrible events of 9/11.  In front of over 70,000 fans, the 110 took part in one of the most memorable games in recent history.  After the 110 Pre-game show, the Harlem Boys Choir sang our National Anthem, and Tony Bennett led in the singing of "America the Beautiful."  The moment was highlighted by the visit of representatives of the NYC Fire and Police Departments.  The Marching 110 also made a donation to the N.Y.F.D. in memory of those lost in the events of 9/11.

• During the 2001 season, the Marching 110 has performed before 52,995 fans at the Ohio/West Virginia game in Morgantown, West Virginia as well as before a Peden Stadium record 24,000 fans at the Ohio/Iowa State game in Athens, OH.

• At the end of the 2002 season, the Marching 110 traveled south to Florida to perform for the Ohio/University Central Florida Game.  While in Florida, the 110 also performed at Walt Disney World, and the Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Pittsburgh Steelers game in Jacksonville, Florida.