2008 Woodie Awards
Consistent and loud
Pep band historically energizes team and fans; "gamesmanship" traps opponents
Jon Fisher
Issue date: 9/20/07 Section: Arts
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As the ball changes back into Charger hands, senior Jeff Myers blasts his trombone and the 20 member pep band quickly follows suit. A 20 second medley ensues in response to the crowd's cheers for their home team. Then, several seconds before the ball is hiked,
Myers counts to three and gives a kill signal. The game resumes play.
In the short interludes between plays on the field, the pep band plays to build game spirit - almost completing it.
They act as filler but, like mortar for bricks, are indispensable for the fans and the team.
"It's an energy level booster," Head Football Coach Keith Otterbein said. "The higher [the players'] energy level, the more they're able to focus and concentrate. I think that gets them into the right zone that allows them to perform better."
Senior Bill Reigner, middle linebacker of the football team, agreed.
"It definitely pumps us up," Reigner said. "Even with a small pep band, you can still hear them. It pumps not only the players up but it gets the fans into the game."
How much does the pep band contribute to the game?
"About 12 points a game," said Myers jokingly.
Myers, who leads the band in practices and games, said the band primarily gives the crowd impetus. It plays at football, basketball and occasionally volleyball games
Without any cheerleader to inspire the crowd, the band sets the mood and occasionally even leads cheers. Myers watches what transpires and then shouts for the song that fits the scene.
Many of their songs are classic rock, but some are short five-measure snippets that fill the short spaces between play. The band has about 40 songs they can choose from during a game.
Myers said the band plans to find more songs to fit specific game circumstances. They're working on the "Imperial March" from Star Wars to threaten opponents after a cataclysmic score.
Recently the school has brought back the college fight song written in the 1920s.
Myers counts to three and gives a kill signal. The game resumes play.
In the short interludes between plays on the field, the pep band plays to build game spirit - almost completing it.
They act as filler but, like mortar for bricks, are indispensable for the fans and the team.
"It's an energy level booster," Head Football Coach Keith Otterbein said. "The higher [the players'] energy level, the more they're able to focus and concentrate. I think that gets them into the right zone that allows them to perform better."
Senior Bill Reigner, middle linebacker of the football team, agreed.
"It definitely pumps us up," Reigner said. "Even with a small pep band, you can still hear them. It pumps not only the players up but it gets the fans into the game."
How much does the pep band contribute to the game?
"About 12 points a game," said Myers jokingly.
Myers, who leads the band in practices and games, said the band primarily gives the crowd impetus. It plays at football, basketball and occasionally volleyball games
Without any cheerleader to inspire the crowd, the band sets the mood and occasionally even leads cheers. Myers watches what transpires and then shouts for the song that fits the scene.
Many of their songs are classic rock, but some are short five-measure snippets that fill the short spaces between play. The band has about 40 songs they can choose from during a game.
Myers said the band plans to find more songs to fit specific game circumstances. They're working on the "Imperial March" from Star Wars to threaten opponents after a cataclysmic score.
Recently the school has brought back the college fight song written in the 1920s.
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