Growing up around the USI Pep Band sealed the deal when it came time for me to choose a college. My parents met through the pep band in the ’90s, and they started bringing me to the games shortly after I was born. Some of my earliest memories are watching basketball games from the railings of the loft in the old gym, where the pep band used to perform before Liberty Arena was built.

Now, as a student at USI, I’m proud to be part of that same pep band legacy. Under the steadfast leadership of director Tom Mace, this dedicated group of students has become the heartbeat of Screaming Eagles basketball, providing the spirited soundtrack that fuels players and fans alike.

“After five men’s basketball coaches, four university presidents, three athletic directors, two home arenas and two school songs, both of which I wrote, I begin performance season 35 directing the USIPB tonight,” Mace said in October. “And I’ll keep doing it until I get it right.”

Mace’s commitment to the pep band is truly remarkable. In an era of constant change at the university, his committed leadership has been a constant source of pride and tradition for generations of USI students.

“In the ISUE days, there had been a band that was the same as this one is, that was students and whoever was on campus,” Mace said. “So in 1990, a student on campus that was a band geek went to the dean of students and said, ‘You know, we need to have a pep band.'” 

That student’s vision has blossomed into something truly special.

In the weeks leading up to the first tipoff, the band spends countless hours perfecting their repertoire of songs, chants and game-day cues. On game day, the setup routine is a sight to behold. The band hauls their instruments, stands and the 1960s drum setup from their closet downstairs to the pep band patio, ready to provide the spirited support that has become the backbone of USI basketball.

“Physical bands aren’t as controllable, especially at a college level,” Mace said.

However, the USI Pep Band more than makes up for it in sheer energy and enthusiasm. Composed of a full complement of instrumentation — low brass on one side, trumpets and woodwinds on the other, anchored by the drum set and guitar in the middle – they are a force to be reckoned with.

“We’re not the Mormon Tabernacle Choir in numbers or in musical nuances, but we’re here for the fans, we’re here for the teams,” Mace said. “I think we’re sometimes here more than the fans and the other teams.”

The pep band’s impact on the game is tangible. 

Mace recounted a championship game where the men’s basketball team was down by 17 points at halftime in 1995. 

“When Bruce Pearl brought them back out on the floor and had him run out, he was all fired up, and we got the band going, had whatever crowd was left going,” he said.

The team ended up winning the championship that night, 71-63.

For these devoted fans, the pep band’s role is not just performance but a labor of love that has spanned generations. 

“I can’t imagine my college, I know I was a music major, forget that, but I can’t imagine my college experience without a band,” Mace said.

That dedication is evident in the longevity of the pep band members. 

“Sometimes they move on after a year,” Mace said. “Sometimes they move on after four after they graduate. Sometimes they stay 30.” 

For him, leading the pep band has been “almost like a mission.”

The pep band was temporarily halted, like many groups, in 2020 due to the pandemic. Although universities like Indiana University continued to run their pep bands, USI’s COVID-19 Committee did not feel comfortable having the band masked or unmasked in an indoor arena. 

“One of our veterans said it was like having your favorite amusement park shut down for two years,” Mace said. 

The band finally returned in 2022, and this season marks its third year back.

As the Screaming Eagles take the court, the pep band stands by, cheering on from the stands with unconditional support. From the practiced pre-game routine to the energy they bring to every game, this group of devoted fans is the heartbeat that keeps the arena alive.

“We’ve been called on to do a whole lot more over the years than what we’ve actually been equipped to do,” Mace said. “But we’re going to try to do it.” 

As long as Mace is leading the band, you can bet they’ll keep trying — for the fans, for the teams and for the love of the game.