Volettes (Drill Team)

On October 23, 1937, seventy-five coeds with flashy capes of orange and white participated in halftime activities at the Tennessee vs. Sewanee football game (Tennessee 32; Sewanee 0). Organized under the supervision of bandmaster Ernest W. Hall, the women’s drill team and its baton-twirling drill major Mildred Alexander (UT’s first majorette) introduced a new kind of precision drill to football fans. The group was founded to “aid the band on certain occasions; develop poise, leadership, and group cooperation; and to give an opportunity to a larger number of students to participate in activities and increase school spirit.” In 1986 tryouts were held for an updated dance-oriented group of Volettes, which has since become the Dance Squad.

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  • Title Volettes (Drill Team)
  • Author
  • Keywords Volettes (Drill Team)
  • Website Name Volopedia
  • Publisher University of Tennessee Libraries
  • URL
  • Access Date July 21, 2025
  • Original Published Date
  • Date of Last Update October 17, 2018