"Hogo Ergo Sum." These fine Latin words from days of yore are the ultimate summation of what the Hogline at the University of Massachusetts-Amherst stands for... nay, marches for. Verily, verily, pish posh and all that.

Entering the '09-'10 season at 71 strong (UMMB's largest section EVER), the UMass Hogs are a sonic and visual force to be reckoned with. Whether it is our searing high notes, our sweeping melodies, our jivin' jams, or our technical virtuosity, we can reduce even the meanest corporate CEOs, fascist dictators, Boston College students, Mr. Spock, the UMass Office of the Provost, and the entire Boston Symphony Orchestra with soloist Yo-Yo Ma (James Levine conducting) to awe-inspired blubbering. A few Hogs have actually been known to melt human flesh with their screaming hot licks. But don't let these outrageous feats intimidate you - in reality the UMass Hogs are just mild-mannered college students, with majors ranging from music to biology, engineering to business, political science to English. One of the many advantages to being a Hog is that you can meet lots of people from outside your own major; people with a whole plethora of interests, backgrounds, and personalities. Although there are many different reasons why we hog, however, it is those fine Latin words - "Hogo Ergo Sum" - that bind us together in true camaraderie.

At this point you are probably wondering what the fine latin words "Hogo Ergo Sum" actually mean. There are two ways that you can find out: first, by taking a class in Latin; and second, by joining the UMass Hogline. We're certainly not going to tell you what they mean right off the bat... what fun would that be? The least we can do is assure you that when you join the UMMB and the UMass Hogline, you won't know what you did without us. For more information on how to join the Minuteman Marching Band visit the official web page or select the "Contact Us" link on the left. If you are a current hog visiting this website for the first time, please take this opportunity to subscribe to the Hogline Listserv (via "Hogs Only" link) so that we can send you e-mails about upcoming sectionals and events.

Be sure to check out our gallery - we've selected the very best pictures of UMass Hogs in action and put them in one spectacular slideshow of sheer Hog Happiness.

See you at rehearsal.