Huskies Pep Band

The Huskies Pep Band is a scramble band from Michigan Technological University in Houghton, MI. They bill themselves as "The Cream of the Keweenaw, The Pride of Pastyland, The Second Best Feeling in the World." They are known for their often irreverent cheers and taunts as well as their unique uniforms consisting of Black and Gold striped bib overalls (known simply as "Stripes") and creative hats unique to each band member. The Huskies Pep Band performs at all home Football, Men's and Women's Basketball, and Ice Hockey Games, as well as parades and other local events.

The band is often recognized as one of the best bands in NCAA Division 1 Hockey because of their sheer power and energy, and their firm roots in tradition. Ironically, Michigan Technological University does not offer a degree in music. They have been featured in Inside College Hockey and are periodically mentioned when sportscasters discuss the tradition of the John MacInnes Student Ice Arena.

The band was formed in the fall of 1928 as the Michigan Tech ROTC Band, under the baton of E. E. Melville. Their purpose was twofold: as an official part of the Michigan College of Mining and Technology's ROTC organization, they provided music for all military functions. They also functioned as a circus style band, playing at various athletic and community events. In later years, they would drop the ROTC affiliation, and simply became the Michigan Tech Band, then the Michigan Tech Pep Band. In 1957, under the direction of B. Franz Schubert, the pep band officially became a university course. The Huskies Pep Band is currently under the direction of Nicholas Enz, who has overseen a massive growth of the band, which now maintains a membership of close to 300.

In 2006, 2007 and 2008, the Huskies Pep Band was chosen to be the Official Band of the Western Collegiate Hockey Association Final Five tournament in St. Paul, Minnesota. Even after Michigan Tech defeated Colorado College in the first round of the WCHA playoffs in 2007, the Huskies Pep Band was still the Official Host Band. While attending the 2006 tournament the band also made a surprise appearance in the 40th Annual Saint Paul Saint Patrick's Day Parade in Downtown Saint Paul, and was invited to participate again in 2007.

External links

* [http://www.fa.mtu.edu/~dawgs/ The Huskies Pep Band website]