With the addition of a football team in 1997, the marching band was a needed faction of USF and was implemented by then University President, Betty Castor.

That first year began the tradition of the "Call" and “Running of the Bulls”, where the band ran from the tunnels of the stadium, "stampeding" onto the football field.

The Herd of Thunder has established many traditions over the years while being a major contributor to the university community and the Tampa Bay area.

The "Call of the Bulls" is a storied one among the trumpet section (formerly known as the "Scream Team") and band members, since most of them never forget running onto the field for the first time with the loud roars of the home crowd cheering them on.

15 minutes before game-time, the HOT band perform the "Call of the Bulls Fanfare", which begins the USF on-field pregame tradition.

This format, gives the illusion of a small and modest performance before filling the field with USF pride and "blowing away" the audience each time.

After forming a tunnel in front of the entrance to the field, HOT performs a drum cadence, until the team comes running out, they then cut directly into the Fight Song.

A popular stand tune played on 3rd downs is “#9” or the “Barbarian Horde” mainly to get the crowd screaming to distract the opposing team.

It used to be that when leaving the stadium, the HOT Drum Line parades out of Raymond James, with fans following, and ending with a final parking lot concert.

On February 27, 2012, former Lord Mayor of Westminster Duncan Sandys visited the University of South Florida to formally present an invitation to the Herd of Thunder to participate in the 2013 London New Year's Day Parade.