One of the most enjoyable parts of attending any sporting event is the atmosphere that is present in the arena or stadium. For years, Winthrop’s Screamin’ Eagles Pep Band has helped to create and maintain that atmosphere for both the spectators and the players at men’s and women’s home basketball games. However, due to budget cuts caused by COVID-19, the pep band will not be performing during athletics events this year.
Because budget cuts have been present in many other departments of the school this semester due to the pandemic, the pep band being cut from the budget was not a complete surprise.
“I understood the business part of it, especially because of all the other cutbacks that have taken place,” said pep band director Dr. Doug Presley. “I would have preferred that it be scaled down instead of completely eliminated. Obviously I would have preferred if it didn’t happen, but I understand why it happened.”
With the pep band being temporarily cut from Winthrop’s budget, there is no question that the game–day atmosphere will be affected by their absence.
“Since we don’t do football, basketball is the big attendance venue,” Presley said. “And with the team’s success, that also brings more focus to our campus. I think the players and the way that they play will ultimately determine the atmosphere.
“If students are allowed into games, I would imagine there would be some limited seating, as well as some intentional steps that the athletics department will make that keeps the audience engaged.”
While the pep band will not be present for regular–season games, Presley hopes there is a possibility that they could make a return if the men’s basketball team returns to the NCAA tournament this spring.
“I would hope, but I don’t know. If something like that were to happen, and if the NCAA makes allowances for the tournament, I suppose we could look into that. Obviously I would not look away from an opportunity to support the team in any way we can,” Presley said.
If the pep band were to return for the men’s NCAA tournament, it may take them some time to return to form.
“That’s the thing, even though the season doesn’t start for a few more weeks, we usually start rehearsals in October,” Presley said. “We have to run through some stuff, and there’s always new freshmen that we need to teach the cheers to. After we’ve had our October rehearsals, it usually takes us a few games to find our footing.”
Although the pep band is disappointed by the budget cuts, there is a sense of optimism that the band will return for basketball games as soon as next season.
The announcement that there will be no pep band at basketball games this year follows the announcement that the Spirit Squad will not perform at basketball games either. There has been no official word on if fans will be allowed to attend games.
Photo courtesy of David Griffin
