What makes college basketball so intense? Sure, the players pour out their very best efforts every time they take the floor, as opposed to the overpaid whiners in the NBA. But the thing that truly separates the college basketball experience from the professional experience is the undying support of their school’s team from the fans, particularly the students.

When you think about what brings college basketball its unique aura, the first thing that comes to mind is usually the band. The band is the epitome of support for the team and gets the rest of the crowd into the game.

The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee has one of the best pep bands any school could ask for, the Panther Band. The Panther Band is a group of dedicated musicians who go to every game to support the team and fire up the crowd. If you’ve made the trip to the Cell for a men’s basketball game then you’ve probably noticed the band in the corner, somewhat isolated from the Klotsche Krazies.

Now, you’ll have to notice them. The Panther Band has moved from the corner of the student section to being front and center, and the reaction has been nothing but positive. Panther Band drummer Matt Koehler is excited about the switch.

“It’s going to be great visually. Before, certain parts of the crowd had a hard time seeing and hearing us. Now that we’re centered we’ll be easier to see and hear. It will bring a lot more enthusiasm to the atmosphere as well.”

Panther Band members aren’t the only ones who seem excited about the switch. A regular Klotsche Krazie, Kurt Smet, had good things to say about the switch.

“I think that it’s great that we got them out of the corner. At first, before I experienced the band being in the middle, I was a little leery of it because splitting up the students that we had I thought would make it harder to get us synchronized. Now after experiencing it the first time, and many after it, I love them there. It brings so much more intensity for us and they are so much louder now that they are out of the corner. I think it was a great move; also with them right there it gets me and the rest of the students into the game a lot more!”

And Kurt is not alone. Freshman Jennifer Butenhoff says, “My friends and I get really into the music that the band plays and it helps us get pumped up even more than we already are!”

While the majority of Klotsche Krazies are fully looking forward to it, some of them are a bit more cautious about the switch. Freshman Travis Wacker is worried about the separation of the student section.

“I only have one problem with its location. Before the band moved to the middle, I could tell that it seemed as if the student section was starting to become two parts, as far as cheering goes. With the pep band being in the middle in the very front row, I think that even separates the students even more,” he said.

“But, I do think that after getting used to the pep band where it is, I think the students are still whole and here doesn't seem to be any problems with the cheering. I like where the pep band is now and wouldn't change a thing,” Wacker continued.

The additional intensity and spirit the band already brings will be even more apparent now that they’ve moved. A band as good as our very own Panther Band deserves attention, and now people will start to notice.

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