Whether it is playing “Poker Face,” “Forget You” or the Billiken Fight Song, the Billiken pep band plays an instrumental role in creating part of the atmosphere at Chaifetz Arena.
The pep band is under the direction Mike Beczkala, who has led the band since its inception in 1989.
“The band — it is like a family. Sometimes that term is overused, but we really care for one another and do anything for one another,” Beczkala said. “The people that are in the band want to be there. They are there to have fun and enjoy basketball. The camaraderie and friendship is really strong.”
Beczkala said that the first year he had 30 members in the band, and over the years the band continued to grow into its current 110-member group that plays at every Billiken basketball game.
The band members play various instruments including tubas, trombones, trumpets, saxophones and various other instruments.
Beczkala said participation in the band has picked up the last three or four years since the building of Chaifetz Arena. As the Billikens continue to win games this year, Beczkala has noticed some changes in the student section.
“With the success on the court, the band as well as the student section at the end of the court have really gotten into it a lot more this year,” Beczkala said. “It brings more students out, and I think that we are more active and more vocal.”
Part of the band’s identity can be found in their unique chants, which differ slightly from their cheering section counterparts, the SLUnatics. The band tricks the opponents by counting down the shot clock prematurely.
One of the band members is freshman trombone player Brian Reinholz, who is enjoying his first year as a member of the pep band.
“It is always upbeat, always busy playing songs, getting songs ready or cheering in general,” Reinholz said.
Reinholz had nothing but praise for his band director and really enjoys his style of direction.
Mike is great,” Reinholz said. “He stresses communication and is very into what he does. He is dancing and moving his arms around, trying to get people into the game.”
Reinholz sees the band as an extension of the SLUnatics, who have a dual role of being students and fans but also have to entertain the crowd. Reinholz said that it is fun the entire time being at the basketball games and having good seats.
Beczkala has seen a lot of Bills basketball, serving as the band director since 1989. He said that this current team reminds him a lot of Charlie Spoonhour’s teams in the 1990s with their outside shooting, but he admits the defense is much better than with Spoonhour’s old teams.
Beczkala also believes that another reason the band is growing is because of Head Coach Rick Majerus. Beczkala called Majerus his “top recruiter.”
“Coach Majerus is very supportive of the students,” Beczkala said. “He talks a lot about the students and has really been my top recruiter for the pep band.”
The band will potentially make their final performance this season at the Xavier game on Tuesday, Feb. 28.
Just like senior basketball players Brian Conklin and Kyle Cassity, for the pep band seniors, this will likely be their final time playing in Chaifetz Arena.
Beczkala said that he wanted the band to be recognized for all of the effort they have put in this year.
