1990s

Patrick Dunnigan, the current Director of Bands, arrived in Tallahassee and, in his first year, led the band in recording their debut CD, Our Best Foot Forward. This made the Marching Chiefs the first college marching band to produce its own end-of-season CD.

Charlie Carter celebrated his 40th season with FSU and the Marching Chiefs, and the Chiefs performed a special show saluting Charlie’s contributions to the bands at Florida State University. 

The 1993 season began with a trip to the New Jersey Meadowlands for the Kick-Off Classic. Doak Campbell Stadium was renovated with a new section for the band, and the Marching Chiefs made their first entrance through the endzone door. The Homecoming Show celebrated the 50th anniversary of FSU bands, and the season ended with FSU’s first National Championship in football.

The Marching Chiefs renewed their world-renowned status by traveling to London, England, to perform a halftime show for the World Football League’s London Monarchs.

Dr. John L. Baker stepped in as Interim Director while Dunnigan took time off to pursue a doctoral degree at the University of Texas. After a miraculous turn of events in December of 1998, the Marching Chiefs found themselves on their way to Tempe, Arizona, accompanying the football team on another quest to the National Championship in the Fiesta Bowl.

Dr. Dunnigan returned to Tallahassee for the 1999 season. The season ended with a celebration of the football team’s second National Championship in the Sugar Bowl.