1950s

Following the 1949 season, the Seminole football team made its first postseason bowl appearance at the Cigar Bowl in Tampa. The Marching Chiefs also attended the match, marking its debut at a bowl game, where they helped cheer Florida State to its first bowl victory over Wofford. 

Dr. Manley R. Whitcomb of Ohio State University joined the FSU faculty and assumed the position of Director. When Dr. Whitcomb came south, he brought with him a talented young arranger, Charles Carter. This partnership began the long tradition of the Marching Chiefs, as seen on the field today. Whitcomb instituted fast marching tempos, a high step with an arm swing known as the Chiefs Step, and introduced the concept of marching eight steps to five yards.

The Seminole football team earned a bid to play in a postseason bowl game at the Sun Bowl in El Paso, Texas, and the Miami Daily News proclaimed, “FSU’s bid to Sun Bowl clinched by Marching Chiefs” (December 5, 1954). Upon arriving by train to El Paso, the Marching Chiefs participated in the Sun Carnival Parade, prompting the Tallahassee Democrat to declare, “Marching Chiefs a Sun Carnival Hit.” (January 2, 1955) 

After the chartering of Kappa Kappa Psi at FSU in the Spring of 1955, the brothers published the first issue of the Chieftain that fall. The purpose of the Chieftain was to keep band members informed of upcoming events and activities.  

J. Dayton Smith’s The Hymn to the Garnet and the Gold was arranged for band by Charlie Carter. This version made its first appearance at Homecoming in 1958. Numerous traditions surrounding the Hymn first appeared during these years… and continue to the present day. 

The first Florida State University versus the University of Florida football game was played, and the rivalry began.