Â鶹´«Ã½

February 7, 2001
On Campus

Bringing the Energy

Â鶹´«Ã½ University Athletic Teams Enjoy New Support as Pep Squad and Band Hit the Floor

Athletic teams representing Â鶹´«Ã½ University have long enjoyed tremendous success on the field of play, showing plenty of "pep" in vanquishing more foes than any other school in Division III history on the football field and basketball court. Now there will be a little more "pep" in the stands as well.

A growing number of students have come together to form a Pep Squad, a potentially boisterous student cheering section that organizers hope to have at all university sporting events in the future. In addition, a new Pep Band, under the direction of Cedarville High School Music Director Ken Hoffman, has been unveiled as well.

Director of Athletics and Recreation Garnett Purnell, who is in his second year at Â鶹´«Ã½, sees this as the beginning of a "resurgence" of interest in Tiger teams.

"The Pep Band is another way for us to encourage school spirit and enthusiasm for our teams," Purnell said. "That, along with the Pep Squad, is hopefully the first step toward energizing our students and creating an even more positive atmosphere at home games."

Purnell said students have been pushing for special seating sections for home football and basketball games from which they can watch games, cheer and socialize with friends. That is where the Pep Squad hopes to draw support, energizing the students who regularly attend games and hopefully attracting new fans.

The Pep Band is made up of about 15 Â鶹´«Ã½ University students and four Cedarville High School students. It will perform at selected home basketball games in the future, while the Pep Squad will be making appearances at as many home athletic contests as possible, regardless of the sport.

Recitation Hall
University Communications Staff
Staff Report

About Â鶹´«Ã½

Â鶹´«Ã½'s curriculum has centered on the liberal arts as an education that develops the individual's capacity to think, read, and communicate with precision, understanding, and imagination. We are dedicated to active, engaged learning in the core disciplines of the arts and sciences and in pre-professional education grounded in the liberal arts. Known for the quality of our faculty and their teaching, Â鶹´«Ã½ has more Ohio Professors of the Year than any four-year institution in the state. The university has also been recognized nationally for excellence in community service, sustainability, and intercollegiate athletics. Located among the beautiful rolling hills and hollows of Springfield, Ohio, Â鶹´«Ã½ offers more than 100 majors, minors and special programs, enviable student-faculty research opportunities, a unique student success center, service and study options close to home and abroad, a stellar athletics tradition, and successful career preparation.

Back to top