New Look, Same Pep: A Glimpse Into the Hokies Pep Band for the 2024-2025 Season

With winter approaching and the college football season coming to an end, the Hokies Pep Band has taken to Cassell Coliseum to get fans excited for the men’s basketball season at Virginia Tech.

Photo courtesy of Evan Bainer.

Like it does every year, the Hokies Pep Band has returned to Cassell to cheer on the men’s basketball team for the 2024-2025 season. The band, known for its relaxed vibe and great sound, has been an integral part of creating a fun and energetic atmosphere within the coliseum.

However, the band will have a new look this season, as it has relocated to sections closer to the court in order to have a greater effect on the game atmosphere. This change came after ongoing discussion between Chad Reep, the director of the Hokies Pep Band, and the Virginia Tech athletics department. Prior to this season, the band was located up towards the back of the coliseum and was adjacent to the student section. With a view looking down onto the court, the band would project its sound across the entirety of the stadium rather than just to the court itself.

The initial move was down directly in front of where the band previously was, which also put part of the band directly across the court from the opponent sideline, allowing the sound to travel directly towards the opposing team during the game.

However, after Virginia Tech’s first trio of home games, the band was relocated to within the student section for the matchup against Jacksonville University. Now, the ensemble is located at the front of the section with a head-on view of the court. With the new seating came a plethora of opportunities for the band to be featured not only on the screen in Cassell, but also on TV on channels such as the ACC Network. 

Photo courtesy of Evan Bainer.

The new seating arrangements have also allowed the band to be more immersed in the student atmosphere. As the band and the students regularly do their in-game cheers and traditions, being closer to the student section has allowed the band to create a beneficial impact on the game for the Hokies. Brody Semones, an alto saxophone in the band, added to this sentiment as he spoke positively about the new seats.

“I think [the new setup] is great,” said Semones. “It gives us an opportunity to engage more in the game and with the other spectators, and it also makes our presence more known.”

As Virginia Tech’s season continues, the band will stay in its new section for the foreseeable future. Regardless of where the band is, however, Reep noted the overall importance of the ensemble supporting the basketball team.

“Our job is to be the biggest fans and to play great music,” Reep said to the band. 

Whether it’s through chanting “Let’s go Hokies” or playing Tech Triumph, the Hokies Pep Band will continue its support of the basketball program here at Virginia Tech this season as it cheers on the men’s team in Cassell Coliseum. Now that it is within the student section, the band will look to be even more energetic and supportive for the Hokies.

Unsung Heroes: A Look Into Pep Band

Hokies Pep Band supports the men’s basketball team. Source: Hokies Pep Band Instagram (@hokiespepband)

While we may be in our fifth week of the semester, it goes without saying that the absence of the Marching Virginians leaves the passing of time feeling a little slow. Without daily practices, the smiling faces of our fellow bandmates, and a 7 p.m. “deuces!” in our lives each evening, the spring semester definitely leaves some longing for the return of nights in Lane. For some students, though, the fun has just begun.

Nestled in the corner of Cassell Coliseum, basketball fans and guests alike can bear witness to the Hokies Pep Band. Boasting over 100 members, the band elevates each men’s basketball home game with its pride and true Hokie spirit. Keen listeners will notice songs both new and old, some borrowed from the Marching Virginians catalog and some learned specifically for the energy Cassell brings. It’s an experience that, if you can get into Cassell, you won’t want to miss.

“Pep Band takes the musical energy of an on-field band and trades some of the rigidity in favor of allowing the ensemble to take on its own personality,” said Andrew Stewart, four-year Hokies Pep Band member and MV Tone. When I reached out to him, he made sure to emphasize how the pep band has some serious funk. “The Pep Band has a certain looseness and swagger to it that you don’t get during the marching season. Not to mention we add some awesome guitar, bass, and drum set players!” 

The Hokies Pep Band takes the condensed setting of Cassell Coliseum and runs with it. Since there aren’t as many rowdy fans as Lane Stadium in Cassell, guests are able to interact with the sounds of the pep band on a much closer level.

“In both the wind and the rhythm section, people get to have a great time by playing with the intent to make people nod their heads and stomp their feet,” says Austin Wright, Marching Virginian Sax and bass player. “Pep Band is a group of students who care not just about playing their instruments, but being a part of the wonderful atmosphere in Cassell.”

Even with the hype of a packed crowd, the synergy of the pep band is truly off the charts. Listeners can thank seasoned director and Marching Virginian aficionado Chad Reep for that. 

“We still work hard in pep band, and we sound VERY good,” said Reep. “There are less horn moves, and more individualistic movement. So the students have a little more freedom in how they want to move. Musically, though, we are still very together and uniform.” Anyone in the immediate vicinity of all things Marching Virginians know that Chad expects nothing less from his esteemed students. 

In talking to each of the Pep Band members and Reep, however, I could tell how appreciative each were that the Pep Band exists. The group was seriously affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, a key point that was mentioned in both interviews with senior members. 

“I had the honor of joining [Pep] band in my freshman year in which we were in Cassell with maybe [one quarter] of the band in attendance for a game at a time,” Andrew said. “I’ve watched the band transform from a fairly empty stadium to performing on a national stage for the women’s NCAA tournament.”

Austin echoed the same sentiment: “My freshman year, the pep band essentially did not exist due to Covid…[we] had to be a much smaller unit.”

Now, however? It’s like night and day. The band is like a massive wall of sound cascading over the seats that ring Cassell Coliseum. Yet, to Reep, the motivation stays the same.

“Both Marching Band and Pep Band provide an amazing collegiate atmosphere for our college athletics, and even though they may be a little different, they are still a part of the same family. We are here to provide entertainment to the college crowds and support our Hokies!”

Catch the Hokie Pep Band on Monday, February 19th at their next home game as the men’s basketball team takes on in-state rival and 21st ranked Virginia at 7:00 p.m.

Hokies Pep Band

When MV season comes to a close, many band members aren’t satisfied with performing awesome stand tunes and bringing energy to game day in just the fall. Lucky for them, there’s an amazing opportunity in store in the spring; the Hokies Pep Band!

A Synopsis of the Hokies Pep band

The Pep Band performing for March Madness (Source: HokieSports)

Under the direction of Marching Virginians assistant director Chad Reep, the Hokies Pep Band brings the excitement of an outdoor ensemble into Cassell Coliseum. The Pep Band, being roughly a third of the size of the Marching Virginians, includes all instruments of the outdoor ensemble and adds in guitars, basses, and a drum set. When the Pep Band gets to travel with out basketball teams, the band is even further reduced to about 30. As a vital part of the game day energy, the Pep Band coordinates with the Spirit Squad and the student section (formally referred to as the Cassell Guard) to make game day as exciting as possible!

ACC Tournament Run

The Pep Band had the opportunity to travel with the Hokies Men’s Basketball team to Greensboro, North Carolina to bring the hype to the ACC Tournament! The 11th seed Hokies played the 14th seed Notre Dame Fighting Irish in round one, and were able to secure a win with a final score of 67-64.

The Greensboro Coliseum Pep Band! (Source: Chad Reep)

In round two, the Hokies were faced with the 6th seed NC State Wolfpack and faced a tough loss with a final score of 77-97. Despite the disheartening performance, the Pep Band still got to spend some quality time together and had a great time!

Women’s NCAA Tournament Run

The Hokie Women’s Basketball team had a record breaking run in March Madness, reaching the first program Elite Eight and Final Four, and the Pep Band had the opportunity to travel with them along this historic journey!

Our March Madness Pep Band! (Source: Chad Reep)

Sweet Sixteen and Elite Eight — Seattle, WAshington

The Pep Band crowds Chad’s room to ensure they sound the best they can! (Source: Chad Reed)

The Pep Band arrived in Seattle, Washington and had a couple of days to explore the city! Many groups visited some one Seattle’s famous sites: the Space Needle, the Pike Place Market, and the aquarium, just to name a few! Of course, since our Pep Band members are still students, many found places to study across the city, especially at the Seattle Public Library. Leading up to the game, with no other place to rehearse within the hotel, the dedicated Pep Band swarmed to Chad’s room to read/sing through their music!

The Hokies move on! (Source: HokieSports)

On the team’s first Sweet Sixteen appearance since 1999, the Hokies faced 4th seed Tennessee, who were predicted to be evenly matched. After a close game, the Hokies were able to pull away with a final score of 73-64, and moved on to the program’s first Elite Eight!

Forward #13 Taylor Soule, the Pep Band’s biggest fan! (Source: Tech Sideline)

Facing the Hokies in our historic Elite Eight appearance was 3rd seed Ohio State. Proving to be yet another stressful game, the Hokies were once again able to pull away from the Buckeye’s notorious full court press and put up a final score of 84-74. Hurriedly, the Hokies packed their bags and prepared for an early flight to Dallas, Texas for our first ever Final Four!

Final Four — Dallas, Texas

Upon landing, the team was greeted by a small photo op at the airport! Once in the city, the Pep Band once again had the opportunity to explore the city a bit, with many flocking to local TexMex and barbecue restaurants! A handful of Pep Band members even decided to buy cowboy hats to celebrate the occasion!

Now THAT’S a trombone section! (Source: HokieSports)

The Hokies were facing another 3rd seed, LSU, with odds favoring the Tigers. After putting up a fight and gaining a double digit lead, the Hokies couldn’t hold on to the championship appearance, and fell to the Tigers in a 72-79 loss. With much to be proud of, the Hokies flew back home to Blacksburg with their heads held high!