The University of Pittsburgh Drumline, also known as the "Crew," is the percussion section of the University of Pittsburgh Marching Band. The goal of the Pitt Drumline is to perform at the highest level possible, while supporting the University's football program. The group has two names: the Pitt Drumline and the Crew. The Drumline wears uniforms and plays the drums. The Pitt Crew parties together and stands by each other in all situations. Their ultimate goal is to pass on the traditions of past lines and to see the Crew grow and improve every season.

History

The Pitt Drumline has a long tradition that stretches back to the late 1970s. The Pitt Drumline played a key role in the use of the matched snare grip in the 1970s and 80s.  During the 1970s, the Pitt Drumline was known as "The Chrome Wall" for its large size and chrome percussion equipment. In those days, the line often had more than eight snare drums and eight bass drums playing unison parts. This version of the Pitt Drumline was instructed by Lorry Yednak. The band director at this time was Don Hower.

The Pitt Drumline was also one of the first collegiate or drum corps lines to experiment with Kevlar drumheads during the early 1980s. During this period, the Pitt Drumline had an endorsement deal with the Canasonic drumhead company. However, the early use of Kevlar head proved unsuccessful as the drums of that era were unable to take the strain of the high tension heads.

In 1985 a new Pitt Drumline tradition was forged. This rebirth coincided with the arrival of new band director O'Neal Sanford and Percussion Instructor David Moy. During this period, under section leaders Chuck Lee, Cindy Cormier and Chris "Riverside" Martin, the drumline began to more closely resemble a drum corps style percussion section. In that year, new gold Slingerland drums were purchased.

By the late 1980s, the "crew" was large and becoming technically proficient.  Instead of leading the Pitt Band onto the field as they had for the past 50+ years, the Pitt Drumline began to emerge on their own and play a solo cadence written by Lee in 1986. Upon conclusion, another drum cadence then invited the rest of the Pitt Band, Golden Girls, and Colorguard onto the field. In an era where the quality of football was starting to decline, this crowd favorite entrance became a tradition. In time, the developing Crew encouraged alumni to bring fire extinguishers for the entrance to add smoke to the performance mix. After the success of the drumline's smoke-filled entrance, the entire band soon adopted the smokey entrance. During the 1990s, and 2000s, the Pitt Drumline would continue to become more refined.