Launched in 1948, the football team quickly became known for its talent and fighting spirit, winning all but one game in 1949. Only one thing was needed to cap off the emerging on-field dominance of New Haven State Teachers College (NHSTC), as Southern was then known: an action-packed, pep-inducing halftime show!

NHSTC’s students quickly signed on. In the 1949-50 academic year, more than 30 young women auditioned to represent the college as its first cheerleaders. The band also was revitalized, as noted in the 1953 edition of the Laurel, the student yearbook: “The T.C. Band was started within the last two years and has been our pride and joy ever since.” Circa 1952, a newly organized group of majorettes began performing at halftime shows, as well.

Initially, members of the band played in their own clothes, some sporting jackets, ties, and even fedoras. By 1953, casual uniforms consisting of straw hats, blue sweaters, and bow ties were issued, followed soon after by more formal attire. The 1957 yearbook showcased the band, “resplendent in new uniforms,” complete with shoulder epaulettes and feathered hats (above).

The football team — known consistently as the Owls since 1953 — certainly gave fans something to cheer about. The team lost only one game per season in 1950, 1951, 1953, 1955, 1958, and 1959. And in 1956, the Owls became the only undefeated and untied team in New England.

Today, the SCSU “Fighting Owls” Pep Band is the official athletics band for the university, urging on the crowd at all men’s and women’s home basketball games. Looking forward, Southern also is launching its first-ever drum line, which will perform at home football games. Three cheers!

Sources: “Southern Connecticut State University: A Centennial History,” by Thomas J. Farnham, and the Laurel, student yearbooks