by Cory Woodroof | Feb 14, 2014 | News Slider, Sports
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...
by Kyrsten Turner | Nov 1, 2013 | Sports
This week’s basketball exhibition games filled Allen Arena with the sounds of cheering fans, slick sneakers on the hardwood and plenty of booming buzzers. Through all the noise and confusion that accompanies live sports, the pep band is usually the one providing the structured soundtrack to the evening. “Emphasis on musicality,” said Elliot Bowman, Lipscomb’s pep band director for the year. “Instead of being a really loud band, we want to be able to hear all the parts, all the instruments. Each instrument does have an important role in each song we play and we want that to be showcased.” The conglomeration of trumpets, drums, flutes, clarinets, saxophones, trombones, a piccolo and a bass guitar bring together the best of wind and jazz instruments. “We don’t have any tuba players this semester but I’d love to have anybody that wants to play one,” Bowman said. Coming off the Bisons and Lady Bisons exhibition games, the pep band is ready to begin a new season. Bowman said the band isn’t just a way to showcase students’ musical talent, but a way to be more involved in the games and support Lipscomb athletics. “In the past, while [band members have] shown moderate interest, they’ve not been shouting with the cheerleaders and trying to help out like a normal student would,” Bowman said. “We’ll put a little bit of emphasis on that.” Jennifer Green, Bowman’s co-assistant, is looking forward to making the pep band a vital part of the game’s atmosphere. “We used to be a really small group that didn’t have much school spirit,” Green said. “Now, we have grown exponentially and...
