The Marshall University Marching Thunder is the largest and most visible student organization on campus.

After 1950, the marching band has performed at football games with universities in the Mid-American Conference: Miami, Ohio, Bowling Green, Kent, and Toledo.

In 1976, the marching band was scheduled to perform with the West Virginia University Marching Band "The Pride of West Virginia" at the Inauguration of Governor John D. Rockefeller, but -10º weather on the day of the inauguration forced the cancellation of the performance on the capital steps.

In 1983, the National Association of Uniform Manufacturers presented the Big Green Marching Machine with an award as "The Best Dressed Band in the South."

Mistakenly announced as the "Marching Thunder" during the first game, the name stuck and still holds its title to this day.

1997 - Bands of America Grand Nationals in the RCA Dome (Indianapolis, IN)[12] 2018 - Rome New Year's Day Parade in Rome, Italy[13] 2020 - London New Year's Day Parade in London, England[14]