By Erin Turner and Carter Sanderson
Lipscomb’s alma mater, Ozzy Osbourne’s “Crazy Train” and various other songs have filled Allen Arena during basketball season for several years.
But for a brief stint in January, this wasn’t the case.
Fans may have missed the music for a short time as atmospheric changes were being tossed around by the athletic department.
Garner Goode, director of sales and marketing for the athletic department, said he had plans to revamp the in-game atmosphere after winter break and decided to leave the pep band out temporarily this semester.
“We were just trying to create the best possible experience for the game, trying out different things,” Goode said.
While the band missed a few games, it was back in action for the men’s last two games, against USC Upstate and ETSU.
Band members said they have enjoyed playing at the games and wished they never had to take a break.
“I was confused at first,” freshman Robert Glenn said. “I thought there was a need for the band.”
Another concern was that the hiatus prevented band members from getting paid.
“I was really upset because I needed the money,” freshman Tiffany Best said.
Freshman Hannah Fleming said she was concerned because the band seemed to be adding to game-time atmosphere.
“I just didn’t like the way it went down,” she said. “I felt like we were doing everything right. We were playing when they wanted us to and what they wanted us to.”
A Bisons cheerleader said she and her squad missed the band when it was absent.
“It was really hard for us to adjust without the pep band,” sophomore Amelia Curtis said. “Most of our media timeout performances are based on what the pep band plays, so we had a hard time coming up with what we would perform.”
Despite the pause, the band is back on track, and this comes as good news to senior pep band leader Elliot Bowman.
“I was really glad about them bringing the band back,” Bowman said. “It was good to get back to work with such nice students.”
To produce more sound, the band has brought in some Franklin High School students to play trombone, sax, tuba and mellophone.
Bowman’s unsure of what’s next, but he said he hopes that the band will be able to continue to play at future basketball games.
“I don’t know what the future holds,” Bowman said. “I hope we can keep it around, though. They’re talking about doing scholarships instead of pay.”
Goode said the music will continue through the spring.
“They will be back for the rest of the season,” Goode said.
Photo credit: Erin Turner