The Marching 110, channeling the spirit of Ohio University
Photo via Aiden Hammond/The New Political
This article was published as part of The New Political’s 2025 Fall Print.
The Marching 110 is an organization like no other. It has a rich history filled with legends who have gone on to do great things and a future that no doubt will be filled with many more. It has made a massive impact in the marching band world and is regarded as one of the best. But how did it get here, and where is it going?
For the past 102 years, the Marching 110 has given life to almost every aspect of Ohio University and beyond, from football games at Peden Stadium to presidential inaugural parades in Washington. But the Marching 110 has not always been known as the most exciting band in the land. Like many great things at Ohio U, the band was created by students. Homer Baird founded the Marching 110 in 1923 and was elected president at their first meeting. Then, a local instrumental teacher named Raymond Cornett volunteered as the 110’s first band director free of charge.
In 1967, Gene Thrailkill took over as the band director. Thrailkill killed the Ohio U marching band and created the Marching 110 in its place. Previous to being called the Marching 110, the band was just called the Ohio University Marching Band, but under the direction of Thrailkill, it was renamed the 100 Marching Men of Ohio. In the 1968 season, it was renamed to the 110 Marching Men of Ohio to signify the increased number of members. However, the name was eventually changed again to the Marching 110 due to the reintroduction of women into the band after Thrailkill removed them. Now, the 110 signifies the 110% that the band gives to everything. Before Thrailkill took over, the band was like most bands of its time—they wore suits as a uniform, did typical marches and they played traditional music. Thrailkill changed the suits into the uniforms that the 110 still wears to this day and, with the help of David Fowler, brought dancing to the 110’s routines. The main reasons that Thrailkill made these changes were that he wanted to make the band enjoyable for the band members and he wanted to appeal to the student body.
Today, Richard Suk directs the Marching 110. Suk started his career at Ohio U in 1996 and has led the band to march in Rome, Vatican City’s St. Petersburg Square and Dublin, Ireland. In 2005, the 110 was the lead band in the 79th annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City, which was watched by an estimated 44 million people. “I learned early on that the band was special here. The unique style and their relationship with the student body is very special when comparing it to many other universities,” Suk said.
“Everyone is so into how we perform and watching us perform,” Jacob Montag, a freshman member of the 110, said. “It seems like people care a lot about the band here.”
Today, the 110 practices at Pruitt Field, which also serves as the home field for both Ohio Field Hockey and Track and Field. However, the ground is uneven and hard to march on. The 110 paints lines on the field to replicate what they will be marching on during game day or at competitions, and these lines are essential to be able to march effectively and efficiently. However, the lines they paint on Pruitt Field wash away easily.
“The lines just dissipate. Lines will literally just go away with the water, with the rain that comes down. And not only that, but the field also gets sprayed by a sprinkler system, and so they just wash away,” Jaxon Burdette, a freshman in the 110, said. “So a majority of the time the 110 is practicing without yard lines.”
The 110 will not have to practice on Pruitt Field for much longer, thanks to the donations of two alumni. Shawn Hurley and Tracey Hurley recently donated $1 million to Ohio U for a brand new practice field, named Hurley Field, specially suited for the Marching 110. It will feature accommodations, including a turf field that is identical to that of Peden Stadium and a tower so the directors can more effectively give directions when practicing. Ohio U President Lori Gonzalez also played a part in getting the 110 their practice field. “If it wasn't for (Gonzalez), this new field would still be a dream,” Suk said.
Justin McCrary, assistant director of the band, also spoke on the new practice field. “In the college marching band world, the Marching 110 is one of those top groups that others look to, and it is long overdue for a band of this caliber to have a dedicated facility,” McCrary said. “A facility with turf just like (Peden Stadium) so that we can easily transfer what we practice to the performance venue will be huge.”
One thing that is mentioned by current and former members of the band is that no matter what walk of life someone comes from or what their major is, the 110 makes them feel like family.
Junior Audrey Ansel, a member of the 110, spoke about the band’s family feeling.
“Every current and former member of the 110 knows exactly what it takes to be in this organization, and we are connected by our shared passion for this group,” Ansel said. “I know that people sometimes have this misconception that the 110 is this secretive and exclusive group, but that just stems from the strong pride each of us has for this organization. When you work this hard for something, it makes sense to feel a bit protective over it.”
Due to this strong connection, graduation is never a goodbye for a 110 member. Freshman Jacob Montag spoke about his experience with a 110 alumni, saying, "I was drawn to the 110 because of my band director, Tim Martin. He was an alumnus of Ohio University and the 110 and he made it seem like it would be really fun.” Marching 110 alumni never stop giving it 110 percent, even after they are far away from Athens.
The Marching 110 is a top of their class band that has had the honor of being the first marching band to perform at Carnegie Hall and has received 24 superior ratings from the Ohio Music Education Association. The Marching 110 has had an illustrious past and, with the new practice field coming soon, it will continue to have a bright future.