The
Oklahoma State
University Big Spirit Drum was purchased in 1933 by the
R.O.T.C. commandant, Colonel Cotton for use with the
R.O.T.C. Band. The special order drum was made 6 ft
and 1 inch in diameter because it was understood at the time
that the largest drum in existence was six feet in diameter.
Colonel Cotton wanted the largest drum in the country.
This 6' 1" x 24" drum was named the "Spartan" model as
dubbed by its producer, the Leedy Drum Co. Currently
this drum is found to be the 4th largest drum in the USA.
A large
four-wheel carriage was built to carry the drum, the bass
drummer, and a cymbal player. It took a squad of eight
cadets to pull it. It was used for several years and then
put into storage. In 1948, a smaller carriage using
bicycle wheels was made by OSU Physical Plant that would only
require two people to pull the drum. This carriage has
been in use since that time for parades,
football games, and special events.
The drum heads are the original cowhide
heads and have been painted many times over the
years. In the early years the
drum heads displayed "Oklahoma Agricultural & Mechanical
College" and the OAMC Seal, a horse driven plow. When the Band program became an all
girls band, the words "GIRLS BAND" was added. The
body of the drum has never changed from the orange
with black rims - the school colors.
When Oklahoma Agricultural & Mechanical College changed its name
to Oklahoma State University the bass drum was also updated.
Pistol Pete was painted on one side and OSU on the opposite
side. The spirit drum was part of the marching band until
it was retired in the late 1980's The spirit drum was revitalized by the OSU young
guns in the late 1990's and again paraded around at home
football games.
In
2005, the OSU Alumni Band Association regained
possession of the Spirit Drum and now resides with
the OSU Library special collections.
The Spirit Drum will be
occasionally be displayed at
football
games and special events On September 30, 2005
through October 2, 2005 The Spirit Drum was on display at the OSU Seretean Center and the Alumni Center to celebrate the
100
years of OAMC / OSU Bands.
Where young and old alike seen the large bass drum for the very
first time.
A large
four-wheel carriage was built to carry the drum, the bass
drummer, and a cymbal player. It took a squad of eight
cadets to pull it. It was used for several years and then
put into storage. In 1948, a smaller carriage using
bicycle wheels was made by OSU Physical Plant that would only
require two people to pull the drum. This carriage has
been in use since that time for parades,
football games, and special events.
The drum heads are the original cowhide
heads and have been painted many times over the
years. In the early years the
drum heads displayed "Oklahoma Agricultural & Mechanical
College" and the OAMC Seal, a horse driven plow. When the Band program became an all
girls band, the words "GIRLS BAND" was added. The
body of the drum has never changed from the orange
with black rims - the school colors.
When Oklahoma Agricultural & Mechanical College changed its name
to Oklahoma State University the bass drum was also updated.
Pistol Pete was painted on one side and OSU on the opposite
side. The spirit drum was part of the marching band until
it was retired in the late 1980's The spirit drum was revitalized by the OSU young
guns in the late 1990's and again paraded around at home
football games. 
In
2005, the OSU Alumni Band Association regained
possession of the Spirit Drum and now resides with
the OSU Library special collections.