<sod>The name "Pride of the Southland" was a "committee" decision of the band members themselves, on the morning of October 15, 1949, as they stood around on the sidelines at [[Legion Field]] in Birmingham, Alabama awaiting a chance to practice for the afternoon game. They were waiting for Alabama's "Million Dollar Band", under the direction of "Colonel" Butler, to finish its practice. That afternoon as the band came out on the field and paused for introduction, for the first time ''Presenting The University of Tennessee's Pride of the Southland Band under the direction of 'Major' Walter M. Ryba'' was heard over the loudspeakers by the 44,000 fans present and listeners on the radio. It was generally felt that Ryba did not know ahead of time that he was receiving a "commission".<eod>
<sod>The name "Pride of the Southland" was a group decision of the band members themselves, on the morning of October 15, 1949, as they stood around on the sidelines at [[Legion Field]] in Birmingham, Alabama awaiting a chance to practice for the afternoon game. They were waiting for Alabama's [[Million Dollar Band (marching band)|Million Dollar Band]], under the direction of "Colonel" Butler, to finish its practice. That afternoon as the band came out on the field and paused for introduction, for the first time "Presenting The University of Tennessee's Pride of the Southland Band under the direction of 'Major' Walter M. Ryba" was heard over the loudspeakers by the 44,000 fans present and listeners on the radio. It was generally felt that Ryba did not know ahead of time that he was receiving a "commission".<eod>