Pep Band and Drum Line Spark Spirit

Douglas Connell

Football season. It is filled with sounds of linemen banging their helmets against one another, the cheers of the crowd, and the coaches barking out plays to their players. Now, Academy football has a new voice to add to this choir of sounds. Last Saturday, at the 2nd annual Caird classic, the Albany Academy pep band, led by Mr. Johnson, and the newly reformed Battery Drumline, led by Mr. Jacobs, performed at the Caird classic.

“It was great to have their support,” said Academy Center Ryan Klimkewicz ‘16. “I really enjoyed having the pep band out there playing. It got me excited for the game.”

The game opened with the Albany Academy Wind Ensemble performing the national anthem, giving it the sense of dignity and respect that it deserved. Throughout the playing action, the team and the supporters were spurred on by the rousing sounds of the likes of “Eye of the Tiger” and “Let’s Go Team”. At half time, on the 40-yard line, the Battery Drumline performed at an Academy football game for the first time in 8 years, much to the delight of the crowd and players.

“The line did not disappoint,” said Mr. Joseph Jacobs, director of the Wind Ensemble and Drumline, “The Battery Drumline contrasted the flare of their Saturday halftime performance with the military-like focus of their Friday evening performance at the Homecoming Pep Rally.”

Both the pep band and the drum line are expected to perform in many events throughout the year. For example, the Battery Drumline is expected to march with the Cadet Corps in the Albany Veterans Day Parade next month.

Pep Rally Review

Ryan Klimkewicz

This year’s homecoming weekend opened with the annual pep rally. However, this year’s pep rally was held after school rather than during the afternoon. This decision did not turn out well: the only people in attendance, besides a handful of students, were athletes who were required to be there, and not all of them showed up.

Each boys’ sports team was announced and their captain or captains would walk up and announce the athletes on the team. Each athlete and team was given a small round of applause that couldn’t pass for a golf clap.  The support for these athletes just wasn’t there and left an empty feeling in the hearts of these athletes who had worked so hard to play and be recognized. I believe that it is safe to say that this is the lowest level of school spirit seen during my time at the Academy.

However not all of the event was negative. The Drum Line put on an excellent show that was the highlight of the evening. You could tell that they had rehearsed and gone through the moves before, leading to a flawless performance. The girls’ teams this year made videos showcasing their talent and highlights from the season.

There were definitely positive moments during this years pep rally, but it is safe to say that overall it was a disappointment.