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If Wittenberg athletes have a little more spring in their step this year, it could be a direct result of a little more “pep,” courtesy of the university’s new Pep Band.

After making its debut on basketball game days during the 2003-04 season, the Pep Band has become a fan favorite.

“The Pep Band was created to help generate spirit with our fans during athletic events,” said Garnett Purnell, director of athletics and recreation.

“It made an impact at the basketball games last winter and at football games this fall. Hopefully, it will continue to grow over time.”

Spearheaded by Pep Band President and Founder John Strawn ’07, the organization formed last winter and registered to receive funds from the Student Senate.

With its allotment from the governing body in the last two school years, the Pep Band has purchased new instruments, recruited new members and quickly earned a warm spot in the hearts of Wittenberg fans.

“This has been a great experience,” said Strawn, a native of Solon, Ohio, who represents the fourth generation of his family to attend Wittenberg. “The students are in control of everything, so we’re getting great leadership experience.”

Strawn first learned of the need for a Pep Band during his visit to Wittenberg as a high school senior. Silas Burdick, class of 2004, wanted to start a Pep Band, and he seized upon Strawn’s interest in music and experience in his high school band.

The two collaborated, got a booth at the 2003 activities fair, an annual fall event, and attracted interest from about 20 other students.

From an initial group of 15 musicians at the first practice in fall 2003, the Wittenberg Pep Band has more than doubled in size in personnel and features a set of cymbals, a snare drum, a set of tri-toms, two bass drums, a baritone and two sousaphones.

In other words, it now sounds like a full-fledged band, and it has shown steady improvement from the first few appearances that were played without enough low brass instruments and with a limited repertoire.

With new equipment and more and more interested students with backgrounds in high school marching bands, orchestras and even drumlines, the future appears bright for this ambitious, happy-go-lucky bunch.

“It is fun because it’s open. We take anyone we can get, and we work with them to learn an instrument and play as part of a group.”

Other officers include Vice President Tom Christ ’07, Treasurer Julia Murgatroyd ’06, Public Relations Coordinator Jodi Stooksberry ’05 and Secretary Andy Klosky ’05.

As a group, the Wittenberg Pep Band has considered a future as a marching band, but that is not in the immediate plans. “We have a lot of ideas, and I think we have great potential.”