From Spirit Squad to Live Entertainment

Daniel Spilsbury ("DJ") works as an intern in the marketing & communications department at the ISO. DJ just finished following the Butler University basketball team on their journey to the championship game. Why? DJ is a proud member of the pep band! Here's his story.

Of all the things I could brag about, the one I enjoy the most is the fact I got paid to go every step of the way along the NCAA tournament with the Butler basketball team. For four years I’ve supported Butler basketball as a member of the pep band. The whirlwind excitement swept us all up as we made our journey from San Jose to Salt Lake City to our very home Indianapolis.

On the outset of the tournament the band and cheerleaders provided a large support system for the team. Being a couple of thousand miles from home and being from a small school tends to do that. Our music and cheers always energized the crowd that was cheering for us, in a way that music played over the PA never seemed to do. I also think our support may have provided a small comfort for the team, a small section always cheering for them even in the toughest of times.

As the team progressed the number of Butler fans grew and the team gained a certain noticeable fame. Our jobs quickly turned from spirit squad to live entertainment. We kept cheering, but the focus of our music changed from “support the team” to “keep the audience entertained while the game was on pause.”

When the Final Four games rolled around this became very important. We’d made it pretty far, but the teams we faced were tough. People were on the edge of their seats during most of the game. And when the time outs were called it was nerve wracking. The pep band broke a lot of the tension with some real fun tunes like “Crazy Little Thing Called Love.” We also gave fans heart with the “Butler War Song” and the R-U-a bulldog chant.

I think the fans would not be able to completely enjoy any game without some form of music on their side. PA music just lacks the life and excitement of a live band. It can’t choose songs to play based on how either team is doing. It can’t bring a crowd to cheer for their team. But as a band, we can support the team, the fans, and represent Butler as a whole. And we would not be anywhere without the basketball team or the Butler Way.