New Look, Same Pep: A Glimpse Into the Hokies Pep Band for the 2024-2025 Season

With winter approaching and the college football season coming to an end, the Hokies Pep Band has taken to Cassell Coliseum to get fans excited for the men’s basketball season at Virginia Tech.

Photo courtesy of Evan Bainer.

Like it does every year, the Hokies Pep Band has returned to Cassell to cheer on the men’s basketball team for the 2024-2025 season. The band, known for its relaxed vibe and great sound, has been an integral part of creating a fun and energetic atmosphere within the coliseum.

However, the band will have a new look this season, as it has relocated to sections closer to the court in order to have a greater effect on the game atmosphere. This change came after ongoing discussion between Chad Reep, the director of the Hokies Pep Band, and the Virginia Tech athletics department. Prior to this season, the band was located up towards the back of the coliseum and was adjacent to the student section. With a view looking down onto the court, the band would project its sound across the entirety of the stadium rather than just to the court itself.

The initial move was down directly in front of where the band previously was, which also put part of the band directly across the court from the opponent sideline, allowing the sound to travel directly towards the opposing team during the game.

However, after Virginia Tech’s first trio of home games, the band was relocated to within the student section for the matchup against Jacksonville University. Now, the ensemble is located at the front of the section with a head-on view of the court. With the new seating came a plethora of opportunities for the band to be featured not only on the screen in Cassell, but also on TV on channels such as the ACC Network. 

Photo courtesy of Evan Bainer.

The new seating arrangements have also allowed the band to be more immersed in the student atmosphere. As the band and the students regularly do their in-game cheers and traditions, being closer to the student section has allowed the band to create a beneficial impact on the game for the Hokies. Brody Semones, an alto saxophone in the band, added to this sentiment as he spoke positively about the new seats.

“I think [the new setup] is great,” said Semones. “It gives us an opportunity to engage more in the game and with the other spectators, and it also makes our presence more known.”

As Virginia Tech’s season continues, the band will stay in its new section for the foreseeable future. Regardless of where the band is, however, Reep noted the overall importance of the ensemble supporting the basketball team.

“Our job is to be the biggest fans and to play great music,” Reep said to the band. 

Whether it’s through chanting “Let’s go Hokies” or playing Tech Triumph, the Hokies Pep Band will continue its support of the basketball program here at Virginia Tech this season as it cheers on the men’s team in Cassell Coliseum. Now that it is within the student section, the band will look to be even more energetic and supportive for the Hokies.

Hokies Pep Band

When MV season comes to a close, many band members aren’t satisfied with performing awesome stand tunes and bringing energy to game day in just the fall. Lucky for them, there’s an amazing opportunity in store in the spring; the Hokies Pep Band!

A Synopsis of the Hokies Pep band

The Pep Band performing for March Madness (Source: HokieSports)

Under the direction of Marching Virginians assistant director Chad Reep, the Hokies Pep Band brings the excitement of an outdoor ensemble into Cassell Coliseum. The Pep Band, being roughly a third of the size of the Marching Virginians, includes all instruments of the outdoor ensemble and adds in guitars, basses, and a drum set. When the Pep Band gets to travel with out basketball teams, the band is even further reduced to about 30. As a vital part of the game day energy, the Pep Band coordinates with the Spirit Squad and the student section (formally referred to as the Cassell Guard) to make game day as exciting as possible!

ACC Tournament Run

The Pep Band had the opportunity to travel with the Hokies Men’s Basketball team to Greensboro, North Carolina to bring the hype to the ACC Tournament! The 11th seed Hokies played the 14th seed Notre Dame Fighting Irish in round one, and were able to secure a win with a final score of 67-64.

The Greensboro Coliseum Pep Band! (Source: Chad Reep)

In round two, the Hokies were faced with the 6th seed NC State Wolfpack and faced a tough loss with a final score of 77-97. Despite the disheartening performance, the Pep Band still got to spend some quality time together and had a great time!

Women’s NCAA Tournament Run

The Hokie Women’s Basketball team had a record breaking run in March Madness, reaching the first program Elite Eight and Final Four, and the Pep Band had the opportunity to travel with them along this historic journey!

Our March Madness Pep Band! (Source: Chad Reep)

Sweet Sixteen and Elite Eight — Seattle, WAshington

The Pep Band crowds Chad’s room to ensure they sound the best they can! (Source: Chad Reed)

The Pep Band arrived in Seattle, Washington and had a couple of days to explore the city! Many groups visited some one Seattle’s famous sites: the Space Needle, the Pike Place Market, and the aquarium, just to name a few! Of course, since our Pep Band members are still students, many found places to study across the city, especially at the Seattle Public Library. Leading up to the game, with no other place to rehearse within the hotel, the dedicated Pep Band swarmed to Chad’s room to read/sing through their music!

The Hokies move on! (Source: HokieSports)

On the team’s first Sweet Sixteen appearance since 1999, the Hokies faced 4th seed Tennessee, who were predicted to be evenly matched. After a close game, the Hokies were able to pull away with a final score of 73-64, and moved on to the program’s first Elite Eight!

Forward #13 Taylor Soule, the Pep Band’s biggest fan! (Source: Tech Sideline)

Facing the Hokies in our historic Elite Eight appearance was 3rd seed Ohio State. Proving to be yet another stressful game, the Hokies were once again able to pull away from the Buckeye’s notorious full court press and put up a final score of 84-74. Hurriedly, the Hokies packed their bags and prepared for an early flight to Dallas, Texas for our first ever Final Four!

Final Four — Dallas, Texas

Upon landing, the team was greeted by a small photo op at the airport! Once in the city, the Pep Band once again had the opportunity to explore the city a bit, with many flocking to local TexMex and barbecue restaurants! A handful of Pep Band members even decided to buy cowboy hats to celebrate the occasion!

Now THAT’S a trombone section! (Source: HokieSports)

The Hokies were facing another 3rd seed, LSU, with odds favoring the Tigers. After putting up a fight and gaining a double digit lead, the Hokies couldn’t hold on to the championship appearance, and fell to the Tigers in a 72-79 loss. With much to be proud of, the Hokies flew back home to Blacksburg with their heads held high!