Sports
The pep band pumping up the crowd at a men’s hockey game.
The unsung heroes of UW-SP sports: The pep band
The Pointer
nmeye177@uwsp.edu
It’s safe to say men’s basketball and hockey games are big events in Stevens Point. Students and citizens show up to see the checking of bodies into the glass and the sinking of three point shots before the buzzer. The praises of the games’ heroes are audible all around the arena after the game the arching sound of voices is second only to that of the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point Pep Band.
As this year’s basketball and hockey seasons come to a close, so does another year of playing songs to rally the crowd for pep band members. Pep band, which is offered as a one-credit course at UW-SP, was close to becoming non-existent this year after the retirement of Paul Doebler who had directed the band for 27 years.
The pep band found its savior in UW-SP alumna Abigail Kreisa. Kreisa, who now teaches elementary music in Wisconsin Rapids, took the position and gave up some of her nights off, using her energy to keep the tradition of pep band alive.
The band has around 35 members, 15 to 20 of which can usually be found at the games. For most of the students participating in pep band is just a hobby, most of the players aren’t even music majors. Unlike many of the bands in the music department, no audition is required so anyone who wants to join can join.
“The purpose of pep band is just to play music, not so much talent level, the music isn’t too difficult you can catch on pretty fast,” said percussionist and third year pep band member Scott Clark.
Most of the commitment involved with pep band is simply showing up the games ready to play. The band only practices three times before the first game of the season. The practices are always on Thursday and the structure is rather simple: they run through there complete list of songs.
“That’s all the practicing we do. Its not that we don’t care, but they’re easy songs and we play them every weekend. A lot of people come back every year. Especially after your second year, you just know all the songs,” said Clark.
These students offer their time and talents to make men’s hockey and basketball games more enjoyable for everyone. Pep band is there for the moments when the team is down by 20 with only a minute to go and all hope is essentially lost so all the purple and gold hearts in the stand scan be lifted with the sound of “Zuit Suit Riot.”
“I think it gets people pumped up, you know; we play upbeat exciting music that people like; its entertaining,” said Clark. “I think when no one else is getting rowdy, we do; it’s been the role of the pep band to get people into it.”
The excitement of the crowd, one credit and the enjoyment of playing music are the few perks of being in the pep band.
“I do it just to play music; I’ve played music all my life. To bang on the drums or play that cowbell, it’s for my pleasure,” said Clark.
There aren’t many incentives beyond personal enjoyment, but that doesn’t mean that pep band isn’t a valuable part of home games. Without pep band, the events wouldn’t be the same. The entrance of the hockey team onto the ice wouldn’t be as exciting without the “Hey Song.” The battling of teams from Minnesota wouldn’t be as satisfying without the roar of the crowd during “On Wisconsin.” Just a static of voices ringing throughout the arena would be left; where’s the fun in that?
