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Tech pep band boosts morale

Percussion professor, Marco Schirripa heckles a Western Kentucky player at the game on Feb 21 at the Hooper Eblen Center. 

Photo by Kendyl Seals.

The Tech pep band heckles opposing teams this season at home games to boost morale. 

The two dozen members create a crowd-pleasing shock factor at the Hooper Eblen Center and act like a second cheerleading team. 

The pep band consists of students playing trumpets, tubas, drums and more.

Marco Schirripa conducts the pep band, also known as The Golden Eagle Brass.

Schirripa is from Syracuse, New York, and is a percussion professor at Tech. He received his doctorate from Indiana University, and has been at Tech for three years.

Schirripa said he is younger than most of the band faculty and enjoys conducting the pep band.

Schirripa’s passion for music is obvious as he dances to every beat while conducting.  

The band members can be heard across the court screaming and chanting for the home team while member dresses in a hard helmet and uses a Tech flag as a cape.

“I have not received any negative comments thus far. We even get complimented by the fans during halftime,” Schirripa said. “We definitely do not make anything easier for the opposing team. As a whole, the band members and crowd seem to enjoy the experience.”

Earin Brown, sophomore secondary education major, said he takes pride in hyping everyone up at the games.

Screaming, “Get off the court,” “Air ball,” and calling out players are just some of the pep bands favorite taunts.

“It has always been the atmosphere for us to play quality music and to heckle at the basketball games,” Brown said. 

Secondary Education major, Eian Brown heckles a Western Kentucky player at the game on Feb 21 at the Hooper Eblen Center. 

Photo by Kendyl Seals.