Roaming The Rinks

No, I don't want a cup of coffee, or a Mountain Dew, or even a 20 ounce Jolt Cola (remember when that stuff was considered a soda instead of "an energy drink"?).  What I want is a pep band.  My home team, the Elmira Jackals, have a couple games a year where they invite local high school bands to play for the crowd.  It so happens that last weekend was one such game.  I was none too enthused to head to the arena last friday as the Jackals are on a dismal streak where they have won only 4 of the previous 20 games.  However, when I entered the concourse last friday and heard trumpets blaring I knew it would be a fun night.

So my question is this- why don't more teams have a pep band?  Sure it would be costly to hire a dedicated band to play at every game, and it would also take up valuable seats in the arena, but going to a game where there is a pep band is a whole different experience than attending a game without one.  I have often said that if college hockey got rid of the stupid full cages and allowed fighting that it would be the most fun style of hockey to attend hands down.  It is not because the players are better, it is because many of the schools have a pep band, and the fans are raucous and loud.  An old school pep band can make the fans come alive, and act as a 6th skater by keeping the fans revved up.  Sure a good PA announcer and sound guy can keep the fans entertained with a timely selection of rock tunes during stoppages, but what I would rather hear is a band actually playing "We're not gonna take it", instead of a recording of Twisted Sister.  Hearing "Keep 'em seperated" by a pep band instead of by the Offspring after a fight really seems to get a crowd response. 

Yes the Jackals lost to hated rival Reading last friday, but I left the Arena smiling because I not only saw some decent hockey, but I was also entertained.  I applaud the Jackals for having bands on certain nights, and applaud them even more for doing so while giving up seats despite being the team leading the ECHL in sellouts.  So if you are a fan that sits in a half full arena game after game, tell your team front office to get a band in there on occasion to liven up the place.  The Jackals may continue to lose, but I know I will leave satisfied the next time the pep band is in the house.