This is in response to Curt Melchert’s letter, “Band comments harm reputation,” that was posted in the Dec. 4 Iowa State Daily. Curt, you need to loosen up, pal. What the basketball pep band does in the stands is all in good fun.

Here, let me help you with that — fun: n. merriment, hilarity, or sport.

I hope that helps clear things up a bit for you. The pep band is more than just a bunch of students who decided they wanted to play “ISU Fights” two or three times a game. They’re fans, too, and as such, they have as much right to shout things out to the people on the court as you do. I don’t seem to hear many people shouting at the cheerleaders for their encouragement of the team, nor do I hear fans getting criticized for harmless shouts towards the opposing team.

What you fail to realize is that there are a few other things the members of the pep bands could be doing on game nights (i.e. homework, studying, spending time with friends/family/significant others, listening to music that isn’t “ISU Fights,” etc.), and that they are there by choice, just like the fans are.

With close-minded opinions like those shown by your letter, fewer and fewer people will be convinced that going out for the pep band is worth it. It isn’t fun (there’s that word again) to play in a band that isn’t appreciated.

Believe me, I went to a school once that had that exact same problem. So unless you want there to be no pep band at all, and less fun (that word pops up often in the English language, doesn’t it?) overall, I suggest that you keep your mouth shut, unless you’re putting your foot in it.

Shawn Gealow

Freshman

Aerospace Engineering