A funny thing happened in a bar in Indianapolis during the Monon Bell game this past year.
A group of alumni, wearing somewhat identical yellow and black polo’s walked in with musical instruments. While some knew each other, some did not.
However, it did not take long for them to quickly form a bond. They broke out their cheers and those instruments to play our fight song, alma mater, and standards like Eye of the Tiger during commercials. It took almost no time for the rest of the alumni in attendance – including Wabash alums – to begin clapping, cheering, and singing along.
Mr. Hepp’s column on March 1 regarding the lack of students in the stands was, as an alumnus who has watched students’ frustration over school spirit, not surprising. In fact, if you search The DePauw’s online archive on “school spirit,” you’d be shocked about how often it comes up. We’ve even had entire student government candidate slates make improving school spirit as a primary campaign promise. But, it persists.
So how do we fix this issue? Simply put, it has to be a partnership between the administration, alumni, and students. “The DePauw Experience” must include supporting our student athletes. It needs an emphasis on teaching the fight song and alma mater to first years. It needs pep rallies the night before football games and big basketball games – not just “ring sing” once a year. It needs a residential hall trophy to encourage attendance at sporting events and participation in Little 5 contests. It needs a pep band which can rally students and help facilitate all of these things and more.
Pep Band alumni are, as we have been, ready and willing to assist current students with everything they may need, including instruments, spirit items, school flags, music, equipment, and – most of all - mentorship. If interested, contact the Tiger Pep Band and Alumni leadership at: www.tigerpepband.org. You can also follow us on twitter @Tigerbands, or on facebook at Tiger Pep Band at DePauw University.
Here’s to Old DePauw:
David J. Ziemba, Esq. ‘03
Director, Tiger Alumni Bands