When Sacred Heart University announced they would be joining the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC), it affected more than just the athletic teams. As a member of the SHU Pep Band, I attended the MAAC Basketball tournament in Atlantic City. Compared to the Northeast Conference’s basketball playoffs, the MAAC tournament is a fun and dynamic environment for the teams, bands, cheerleaders and dance teams.
The MAAC hosts Band Jam on the Boardwalk during the week. It was unique to see all the other schools’ bands and hear the songs they played. The other bands played pep band songs that we have never heard, such as “Please, Please, Please,” “Fireball” and “Finesse.” After each band played three songs, we joined together to play “Crazy Train,” Happy” and “Sweet Caroline.”
Being one of two rookie bands, we wanted to make sure we showed off our talent, so we played “I’m Shipping Up to Boston,” “Sticky” and “Country Roads.” We were ecstatic to see the other schools’ mascots come together and for everyone on the boardwalk to be singing along to “Country Roads.”
One of the highlights was going a little viral on X with @TheEvdCoverage commenting, “I will stand by this. Sacred Heart has one of the best school bands I’ve heard in a long time.”
The atmosphere inside Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall was electric for the games. The arena felt like the perfect environment for the tournament. When guard Amiri Stewart sunk two clutch free throws to force overtime against the Merrimack Warriors, the Sacred Heart fans erupted with excitement. It was one of the most amazing things I have witnessed at a live sporting event. Members of the band, including myself, were shaking due to both the anxiety and aura of the moment.
Unfortunately, the men’s basketball team’s run in the MAAC tournament came to an end, but the next morning, the band headed up to Ithaca, NY to cheer on the women’s ice hockey team.
Lynah Rink at Cornell University was such a unique venue because of Cornell’s historic men’s and women’s hockey programs. Cheering on the women’s team in their first NCAA tournament game was a privilege, and celebrating the program’s first tournament goal was exhilarating.
After the Pioneers’ game against the University of Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs, we made our way back to Sacred Heart for the men’s ice hockey team’s semifinals matchup against the Bentley University Falcons. Even though we traveled through four states within 48 hours, we made sure to bring the energy to the Martire Family Arena.
The pep band played at five games over a five day stretch from March 11-15, supporting each team in their pursuit of a conference and national championship. It may have been exhausting, but it was one of the best experiences of my life. I cannot wait for what next year’s tournaments have to offer.
Thank you to the men’s and women’s basketball and ice hockey teams for an incredible 2024-25 season. It has been an honor and a privilege to cheer for you at each and every game.
