This brings up an interesting discussion I recall from last winter. If memory serves, the thread then was more along the lines of pep band etiquette, more than anything else... I have been in the position of both pep band member and avid listener over the years. During my youth as an undergraduate at the University of Alaska Fairbanks, we routinely fielded a small band in the friendly confines of the Patty Arena, a 1600 seat cross between a hockey rink and an air raid shelter. All seats (bleacher-style benches) were along one side of the rink behind the player benches, with some standing room at the left end of the rink near the concession stands and rest rooms. The low ceiling and concrete enhanced the sound of our few spirited horns and, from time to time, some decent melodies rose above the din of student-led chants and death threats directed at opposing players and officials... It was fun for us in the band and, I hope, enjoyable for the fans as well. Then, in 1990, the games were moved to the new 4600 seat Carlson Center. Although the pep band was allowed to play, they were swallowed up in the relatively cavernous surroundings. This, coupled with the fact that student percentage of fan totals dropped from say 75-80% to less than 15%. These days, classic rock ditties on the PA dominate the spaces between periods and during breaks in the on-ice action. I suspect this is the case for most other arena-style college games where student interests give way to community pressures. (I can't ever recall a pep band here in Anchorage for the Seawolves' games in the Sullivan, either.) As I commented last year, I think it's absolutely great that some schools still play games on campus and encourage their pep bands to contribute. Students give the game an excitement and enthusiasm that "family night" can never match. Unfortunately, the trend seems to be that colleges are moving into bigger city arenas, where larger crowds mean more community interest and more money. Let's face it, most ADs would rather see seats filled with $10-12 fans instead of $3-4 students... So if your school still has a pep band, support them. A day may not be far off when "On Wisconsin" is replaced by "Sweet Home Alabama..." Musically yours, Mark ___________________________________________________________________________ Mark J. Sonnier, C.P.M. Voice (907)786-6505 Purchasing Agent Fax (907)786-6515 University of Alaska Anchorage e-mail: [log in to unmask] --------------------------------------------------------------------------- UAF Hockey fans say: "Look out CCHA - 'Nooks in 95 are badder than Binky!" --------------------------------------------------------------------------- HOCKEY-L is for discussion of college ice hockey; send information to [log in to unmask], The College Hockey Information List.