"BC Pep Band would be lit!"

The soul of most student sections can be found in the pep band. From boisterous cheers to painted signs and faces, the involvement of the band gets everyone riled up. Where there is a pep band section, there is a student section that will not leave—the biggest wins and worst losses. The pep band ALWAYS shows up. In fact, college pep band members live and die by the accomplishments of their school’s sports teams.

Pouring all their energy into their instruments, trying to push each note just a little further, they motivate and rejoice with both players and fans. It can be debated whether the skilled athletes, the supportive crowd, or the focused pep band members enjoy the thrill of the game more. Despite this debate, it is undoubted that the game atmosphere is affected by all three; however, pep bands are formed for the enhancement of excitement, as well as establish a sense of school spirit.

University of Kentucky, located just 37 miles from Berea College, has one of the nation’s top and rowdiest pep-band sections. In the eRUPPtion Zone, the UK Pep Band stimulates the rabid Wildcat fans watching some of the best basketball in the nation. Providing energy and excitement, even before the game begins, the pep band gets the stadium rocking—literally.

Following this 2017-18 basketball season, students have recognized the lack of passion, energy, and attendance at Berea College sporting events. Despite the Women Mountaineers’ advancement to the Semi-finals of the USA South Conference Tournament, there has been little coverage and excitement surrounding the accomplishment and successful season of the team. While this could be, in part, due to the overall lack of support for female athletes, it can also be attributed to the lack of school spirit possessed by the student body and surrounding community; a problem resolved by the assemblage of a Berea College Pep Band.

The absence of a Berea College Pep Band is an issue for players, students, fans, and potential band members. It is evident that Mountaineer students and fans appear to have half as much fun during games as those with an eruptive student and pep band section. Arguably, the teams lose intimidation due to the lack of a pep band.

While free time is not vastly found in the lives of Berea College students, there are many who are willing to stretch their time-management skills a bit further in order to build camaraderie and school spirit. Several students have held the discussion of how they would participate in a pep band, if only one existed. Many schools provide a small stipend for dedicated participation in pep band, while others offer pep band as a course. Either of these options would work at Berea. However, there is another option, as we have a unique labor requirement here. The task of playing in the pep band could easily become a labor position, for those who were interested in doing so.

As one Berea student exclaimed, "A Berea College Pep Band would be lit!"