Tiger Spirit Since 1995

Although there has been a spirit band of sorts at DePauw for over a century, the Tiger Pep Band as it exists now didn't come into being until more recently.  Back in the fall of 1993, Dr. Craig Paré ascended to the podium as Director of University Bands. 

Photo by Jason Jones.

In 1993, Dr. Craig Paré, director of University Bands, conducted the DePauw University Band in Blackstock Stadium.  The student-directed Tiger Pep Band would be established four years later.

At the time, there was no marching band, no pep band, ... and no fun at football games.

So, a higher power spoke: "The University Band shall perform at all home football games."  No, it was not a divine command, but the guy who signs the checks seems to have all the power around here.  Against the better judgment of any wise concert ensemble director, Dr. Paré was forced to take the University Band outside on those Saturday afternoons.  (After all, the guy with the checkbook didn't care that those concert instruments cost lots 'o money!)

Dr. Paré made sure that the University Band put on the best of show.  It was the best dressed band in the stands -- with smart sweatshirts and a conductor dressed in a snappy white suit.  Fortunately, the Higher Powers were made wise by the valiant efforts of a certain band conductor: a symphonic band doesn't belong in the stands, it belongs on the stage! 

Thus, The Tiger Pep Band that is now officially recognized by Student Congress was founded in the fall of 1995 with student directors Jason "Dibbs" "The Colonel" Dibler and Christine Russell.  Since then, the Tiger Pep Band has thrived in it's support of DePauw University's football and basketball teams.

Photo by Brian Fisher, The DePauw.

Within a year of the Tiger Pep Band's founding, DePauw brought the Monon Bell back home from Wabash.  Coincidence?  Certainly not!

Interestingly, the DePauw Tigers also won back the Monon Bell from Wabash College in 1996 -- which was the first away game the pep band had  performed at.  This obviously cannot be a coincidence: the Tiger Pep Band was the difference.  The Tiger Pep Band has generated more cheers, more music, and more spam than any other band which might consider itself peppy, and that brought back the spirit and life to the team and school -- the rightful owners of the Bell.

With cheers from Pep Band Poet Extraordinaire Jeff Radcliffe extolling the virtues of the Tigers and their pep band ("We're the band!  Ampersand!"), and the never ending dedication of its members, like Pep Band Member Extraordinaire Cameron Mott, the Tiger Pep Band has lead the DePauw football and basketball teams to proud victories.

In 2002, it was these cheers and dedication that saw the founding of the Tiger Pep Band Tiger Maniacs.  There were a bunch of folks who hung out with the band crowd, participating in everything -- except they didn't play instruments!  Why exclude these people?  There was simply no good reason, so now you don't even need to play an instrument to be in this band!  We've been better for it ever since.

Of course, we didn't stop at adding dedicated non-instrumental units to the band. In 2004, Tiger Pep Band conductor/percussionist Jared Wooten '08 stole an idea from our friends at Rose-Hulman. DePauw needed a drumline. After some haggling with the Student Government, the Tiger Pep Band Tiger Drumline was fully outfitted with brand-spankin'-new marching quad toms, snares, and bass drums.

And now, many "co-fearless leaders" later, the Tiger Pep Band™ proudly displays DePauw's colors and our trademark antics to the crowds.  They are powered by Tiger spirit, energized with Tiger Pride, and loaded with Tiger ferocity.  And fueled by the never-ending natural resource of Spam, this band will always "refuse to yield."

The History of DePauw Spirit Bands

• 1904
  DePauw Marching Band begun when the School of Music hires a new faculty member to teach violin and supervise its first band.
• 1953
  Professor Dan H. Hanna is DePauw's director of bands.  The DePauw Marching Band took on a new life as "the DPU StumbleBums!"
• 1960s
  The DePauw Pep Band makes its debut after the athletic director asks Prof. Dan Hanna to "make some noise" in Bowman Gym. Faculty-led, the DePauw Pep Band continued through the early 1990s.
• 1989
  DePauw Marching Band is disbanded one year after Prof. Hanna retires. An "Ad Hoc" DePauw Pep Band appears occasionally at Tiger Football contests in following years.
• 1993
  Dr. Craig Paré joins DePauw as the new director of bands.  The University Band is instructed to perform at football games.
• SEPTEMBER 1995
  Tiger Pep Band is founded! It is the first student-led ensemble of its kind at DePauw to be officially recognized by the student government. Jason "The Colonel" Dibbler '97 and Christine Russell are the first student directors.
• FEBRUARY 2002
  Both DePauw basketball teams go to the NCAA Play-offs and Tiger Pep Band takes it's first ROAD TRIP and is recognized as "the #1 Band in Division-III athletics!"
• APRIL 2002
  The Tiger Maniacs are founded.  Finally, non-musicans take their place in the best darn pep band in the land!
• MARCH 2003
  After performing at the inagural SCAC Basketball Tounament in Memphis, Tiger Pep Band is the official band for the two NCAA National Championships and is again recognized as "the #1 Band in Division-III athletics!"
• FEBRUARY 2004
  Tiger Pep Band returns for a second time to the SCAC Basketball Tournament in ROAD TRIP 2004!
• FEBRUARY 25, 2004
  Alumni Tiger Pep Band is founded.
• SEPTEMBER 2004
  The Tiger Drumline is begun, inspired by our friends at Rose-Hulman.
• OCTOBER 2004
  Alumni Tiger Pep Band makes its first-ever performance during the Old Gold Weekend festivities.
• FEBRUARY 2005
  On its maiden voyage, Alunni Tiger Pep Band joins up with Tiger Pep Band for the 2005 SCAC Basketball Tournament in Memphis.
• OLD GOLD 2005
  Tiger Pep Band celebrates 10 years!
• August 2006
  The Tiger Color Guard is founded.