Issue date: 7/28/10 Section: Sports

Media Credit: Photo courtesy of SIUE Sports Information A member of the former SIUE pep band plays saxophone during a 2005 game at the Vadalabene Center. The band will be reborn this basketball season under the direction of percussion instructor Dan Smithinger.

During breaks in the action at the Vadalabene Center, Cougar fans have become accustomed to music on the public address system, coming from artists like Drake, Bon Jovi and Rascal Flatts.

The music offering and environment in the gym is set to change next basketball season, because music professor Dan Smithinger is charged with the task of establishing the latest incarnation of SIUE's pep band.

SIUE has had a band before, as recently as 2005. For various reasons, the band has fallen apart, and SIUE has been absent the familiar sounds present at college basketball games across the country.

Smithinger said a band has been high on the administration's agenda as the athletic department continues moving towards NCAA Division I status.

"There were a couple of incarnations of it in the past, and this year, around March; ironically when the NCAA finals ended the administration decided they wanted to have the pep band again," Smithinger said. "They decided they needed a director, and it worked out that I was recently hired as a percussion instructor and I can work both out. It is going to be more organized this time"

Assistant Athletic Director for Marketing Jason Coomer said the revitalization is a welcome addition for fans as well as the department of Intercollegiate Athletics.

"It will be welcomed by our students and season ticket holders, because both groups have inquired about it," Coomer said. "Professor Smithinger will do a great job, and he is working hard with recruiting from an organizational standpoint and we are looking forward to adding him."

Smithinger said he is exploring multiple options to decide who will make up the pep band, and more information will become available closer to basketball season in November.

"We are looking at some options for placement, tryouts and auditions, but nothing is concrete right now," Smithinger said.

Along with the pep band, Coomer said the cheerleading and dance programs are being restructured during the offseason.

Continued...

Page 1 of 2 next >

Article Tools