By Sarah Williams
For the first time in their 50ish years, the Huskies Pep Band is hosting an alumni gathering this year.
“We thought this would be an opportune time to join everyone together to share tales of the past and Pep again,” says Pep Band President Patrick Koro. “We want to celebrate the history of the band and the general uniqueness of the Huskies Pep Band. While the stripes have changed over the years, the enthusiasm of the band and for the band has not.”
The Pep Band gathering will take place during Michigan Tech’s reunion August 3-5 on campus.
Events for the Pep Band reunion include playing at the Alumni Basketball game, story time with the Pep Band, and the History of Stripes.
“The basketball game will be the opportunity to once again play in the band, dust off and pull on your old stripes, wear that funny hat, and cheer and taunt free-throwers,” Koro says. “Remember the good ol’ days of playing with the Huskies Pep Band.”
Koro says he encourages former band members to return to campus and join the Pep Band festivities.
“With many generations of Pep Banders joining together, different eras can all come together to learn about some of the band’s long traditions,” he says.
Socialize, meet friends, and share stories throughout the weekend. A History of Stripes exhibit will show the band’s stripes from the early years to present day.
Koro says they also want to capture stories from the past as a way to create a recorded history of the band.
“The Huskies Pep Band has a huge and rich history and most of it is told through word of mouth,” Koro says. “We would like to capture these stories and the history for generations to come through video and audio recordings.”
Plans are to create a short documentary about the band and its history in the coming year.
To stay up-to-date on Pep Band reunion activities, visit MyMichganTech to update your information and identify as a Pep Band alumni, contact alumni@mtu.edu or 906-487-2400.
-Looking forward to seeing all of you former Pep Band members at this year’s reunion. Sounds like it’s going to be a great time! -SW