This semester the Millikin University Pep Band has returned. Hopefully, it’s here to stay. There have been a number of pep bands in previous years at Millikin that played at football, basketball and volleyball games, but they always end up falling apart. Dr. Neil Smith is the faculty advisor for the pep band this year and says they are hoping to keep up the pep band and maybe even play at football games in 2014. The pep band is made up of 20 players who are paid a small amount of money for each game.

Leader and conductor of the pep band this year is junior music education student Brock Feece. Brock’s plan for the pep band is to play standard music you hear at sports events and is also hoping to throw in some more current pop music once they get the ball rolling. Last year, Brock tried to start up a pep band on a volunteer basis, but there was a lack of interest and not much of a plan. This year is different. Due to a push from Matt Nadelhoffer, the pep band will be playing at seven of 11 home games for women’s volleyball and basketball as well as men’s basketball.

Nadelhoffer feels that the pep band will bring a better atmosphere to games. “Millikin has one of the best music programs in the nation. I want to showcase that. We have the best right in our backyard, we should use them.” He also feels that having the pep band will encourage energy, enthusiasm and pride, as well as a desire to do more for Millikin. This is not only an opportunity to boost up sports, but it’s also meant to be an opportunity for the students playing in the band to play in front of a different crowd. This Thanksgiving break and over winter break, the sports department is giving local high school band members the opportunity to play at sports events while Millikin students are out of class.

Nadelhoffer is hoping the pep band will also help with recruitment. By creating a fun and exciting atmosphere, the band will show possible students and athletes how fun and exciting Millikin athletics is.