At every home basketball game, the WSU pep band fills The Nutter Center with college tradition by playing some of today’s hits, the Raider fight song, and even the national anthem at times.
This small group of less than 40 WSU students have a swagger about them, often participating in the student section chants and activities.
For Kelsey Bogash, joining the pep band was a no brainer for her.
“It’s something I’ve done since high school,” she said. “I’ve always enjoyed being in a band, so I wanted to join at WSU. It’s like a family here.”
The pep band plays at every men’s basketball home game, and sometimes perform at soccer and football games. They don’t travel regularly, but they do get to go with the basketball team to The Horizon League tournament in Detroit, Michigan every year. If the Raiders make the NCAA tournament, they will get to go as well.
While it is a student organization, the pep band holds auditions at the beginning of the year, which Bogash remembers as being challenging but worth it.
“We have to audition every year. It used to be whoever wanted to join could, but the auditions help us prove we are good enough and that we can help make the pep band better.”
Fellow band member Breanna Wetzel says being in the band has definitely been a positive experience for her.
“It’s something I really enjoy. We get to play in front of thousands of fans and be a part of the atmosphere of the game. The people are great and they’ve become like a second family to me.”
