Pep band showcases spirit

With so much to watch at the football games, the pep band often may be overlooked.

Out there every game, rain or shine, the pep band is out there supporting the team and keeping the crowd pumped up and alert. But why do they do it?

The pep band consists of both OU students as well as students from Ottawa High School.

They even have some members who are not enrolled in either one.

"I'm here because my two best friends asked me to, Keith and Sam, and I love music," Sartain, a 2009 graduate of Ottawa High School, said.

"Maybe participating in the pep band will help get me some exposure and maybe some scholarship offers to attend the school."

Additionally, current students enrolled at OU are a part of the pep band. One of these students is Keith Neimeyer.

"I am in the pep band where I play guitar because I am on scholarship through the music
department," Neimeyer said. "We are out here to support the Braves and enjoy the game."

Sam Warshawsky is another current OU freshman that participates in the pep band.

"The main reason we are out here is to promote the different performing arts here at OU and to get exposure for the music department," Warshawsky said.

The pep band also practices weekly to keep up with current trends.

"We practice every Thursday night to prepare for the games," Neimeyer said.

Although the pep band only does football games right now, when the season ends they also will be performing at all of the home basketball games once the season starts.

"Pep band music is actually my favorite type of music to play so I'm excited and anxious for the basketball season to get underway," Neimeyer said.