Feb. 9, 2009

FAIRFIELD, CT - by Gene Gumbs

I got the brilliant idea to sit in with the Sacred Heart University pep band about a week ago and picked out the women's basketball game against Quinnipiac to do it. I figured it would give me a chance to see a basketball game from a different perspective, rather than behind the microphone on the radio, or as an athletic department administrator. I mean, I can play a few instruments. It couldn't be THAT difficult, right?

OK, so it's not exactly like when author George Plimpton tried to play quarterback for the Detroit Lions in a pre-season game in his book Paper Lion, but having picked up my instrument once in 25 years it seemed like a daunting enough task to me. In fact, practicing the night before in my apartment, (as far as I know none of my neighbors called the police) I was beginning to seriously think it was a bad idea.

The band, under the direction of Keith Johnston and assistant Tim Holcomb, has become a huge part of the Pioneer athletic experience. The band plays at nearly every home football, basketball and men's ice hockey game. It is difficult to measure the home field/court/ice advantage it gives the Pioneers, but many a visiting team has been heard to mumble under its breath about the band prior to the start of a game.

The pep band is usually 50-60 strong and the sound can easily fill the Pitt Center, carry across the football field, and make the small confines of the Milford seem like they are sitting in your living room. Tonight's numbers would be a little closer to 40.

"Weeknights are difficult sometimes because we never know how many will have to go to a night class," says Johnston.

The other thing that has changed over the years is the number of events the band attends. In fact, it is now a rare game when the band is not performing. During school vacations Johnston recruits members of the band to come back to play at games. It's a much scaled down version to be sure, but it's amazing the amount of energy a 20-piece band can add to a game.

"It's a fairly common practice for universities to rotate members of the band during vacations and pay them a stipend for travel," Johnston says. "We have started doing the same thing. It allows us to be at games when the crowds tend to be smaller and help the home court advantage."

That advantage does not go unnoticed by the players and coaches. Women's basketball coach Ed Swanson has made a point of addressing the band the last couple of years before the season to let them know how his program appreciates their support.

But it's not just music they provide. Let's just say they enjoy a running commentary - with the opposing players, referees, fans, cheerleaders, anyone who comes within shouting distance. It's all in good fun. And believe me, these guys and gals have a good time! All the while, Holcomb tried to keep them on task, in tune, and all playing from the same sheet of music. It's not an easy task in the middle of a basketball game with so many things going on at once.

In addition to my chance to write a story about a game from the band's perspective, I thought this would be a good bonding experience with my daughter, Emily, a junior and piccolo player. My suggestion that I sit next to her during the game was met with a raised eyebrow and an "I-don't-think-so" look. I sat behind her instead. I didn't want her to think she could scare the old man away!

The band arrives about thirty minutes before opening tip and gets organized. Things are pretty quiet until the team comes up for the final time a few minutes before the introductions and the band rips into the SHU Fight Song. That's followed by the National Anthem. After that, it's pretty much sitting around waiting for the media timeouts, or the occasional one called by an irate coach.

In between chances to play the band plays very close attention to the game. How close? When a Quinnipiac player failed to keep a ball in bounds she let out a little colorful language. The young man behind me turned to his bandmates and say "Hey! She said ****!" Needless to say they picked up on it and rode her a little about it.

When the referee called a foul on one of the Pioneer players, the band made sure to voice their displeasure. How dare he? Should an opposing player throw up a shot that fails to reach the rim? You guessed it. "Air ball!" When a Quinnipiac player went to the free throw line the band chimed in with some unintelligible yelling. I am not sure who got rattled more, the Quinnipiac player or me.

This band is quite a cast of characters. Zack Lane sits near the top of the stands and wears a bright red wig - think porcupine that had its paw stuffed in a light socket. Carrington Gerli sat behind me and reminded me I needed to hold one finger in the air when a SHU player takes a free throw, and then slash it downward when it goes in. Oh, and if she makes the first free throw? On the next shot it's TWO fingers. I had enough trouble keeping up with the music and now fingers, too?

Oh, and someone forgot to tell me I was going to have to sing! When the band begins playing "Hey, Baby" the woodwinds sing the lyrics while the brass plays the notes for half the song. I am sure I was quite a sight to see.

I also didn't know band included choreography. In one of the numbers early in the game the band members swing their instruments back and forth with each note. One wrong move and I would have caused a pile up in the second row. How was I supposed to play music I didn't know, keep an eye on the director AND move my instrument all at the same time?

Holcomb was the ringmaster for most of the game. He lets the band know what song is up for the next break by writing it on the worst smelling white board in America and holding it up. The top is what is played for a "regular" timeout, the bottom if it's one of the four media timeouts in each half. And I am not kidding about the white board. He walked by me with it and I was relieved to see that my playing wasn't the only thing that stunk in the Pitt Center.

Perhaps the most amazing part to me is that these kids are really talented. They can have all these things going on, keep in perfect tune, and belt out song after song that keeps the energy alive in the place. You will hear very few sour notes or missed intros - unless of course they decide to recruit more middle-aged clarinet players.

No, it's not like trying to play quarterback. But for people who think the band is just loaded with a bunch of geeks who sit there and play, there is a lot more going on than meets the eye. It's definitely a different view and experience. It is one I thoroughly enjoyed and, for one night, I am happy to say I was a member of the Sacred Heart University pep band and contributed just a little to a Pioneer victory.

Lest I get too full of myself and think I actually belonged there, Johnston summed it up. "The only reason you got to sit in tonight is that you and I have the same hairline."

Ouch.