While electricity may keep the scoreboard lit and allow for Dave Simek’s voice to come over the loudspeaker, it is not the most important source of energy inside the Binghamton University Events Center during men’s and women’s basketball games. That distinction belongs to the BU Pep Band and the upbeat music it plays to keep the players inspired and the fans rowdy.

At every home basketball game, the Pep Band, which is one of the four groups that form the BU Spirit Squad, can be found decked out in green and sitting adjacent to the BU Zoo in section 109. While the students in the Zoo are equipped with spirit fingers, “terrible towels” and their vocal chords, the Pep Band is armed and ready to cheer with its instruments.

Among the instruments in their arsenal are: drums, tubas, trombones, trumpets, flutes and clarinets. When these instruments combine, they play almost superhuman versions of such famous songs as: “Eye of the Tiger,” “We Will Rock You,” “Hey Baby,” “Born to be Wild,” “Macho Man” and even the “Family Guy” theme.

“We play a lot of recognizable songs,” said senior Danielle Furey, president of the group and a tuba player.

The existence of the Pep Band is in large part thanks to Furey, who, along with alumni Andy Eiche and Chris Trow, started the Student Association-sponsored group in the fall of 2004.

“A bunch of us liked to play instruments and we liked going to the basketball games,” Furey said. “The team didn’t have a pep band, so we decided to try it and it has worked.”

The Pep Band has done more than just “work.” The well-harmonized music the group plays during every timeout has made it a smash hit among the fans.

“The crowd really responds to [us],” said junior treasurer and trombonist Jay Tarolli. “All the time after games we get people coming up to us saying ‘that was terrific.’”

The group can attribute its success to a number of reasons. For starters, the group is very dedicated as they practice at least once a week as a group and as much as possible on their own time.

Exposure has also been a major reason why the group, in its fourth year of existence, has become so successful. In addition to home basketball games, the Pep Band has also performed at home soccer games, Relay For Life and even at Binghamton Senators games. The group also traveled to Boston University last season for the America East men’s basketball tournament.

Also crucial to the group’s success is the fact that each member enjoys every second of what they do, including being around one another so much.

“We all bond together and spend so much time together,” says Tarolli. “We have a great time.”

Many of those great times have been in large part thanks to the Pep Band’s close proximity to the game’s action.

“That’s the benefit of being in Pep Band, you get right up close and personal, you really feel like you’re a part of the game,” Tarolli said. “Mike Gordon’s Sportscenter play was right in front of my face. That was insane!”

Perhaps the biggest reason for the Pep Band’s greatness is its leader. The Boston Pops Orchestra has John Williams, The New York Philharmonic has Lorin Maazel and the Binghamton University Pep Band has Maurice Taylor. Taylor, a local conductor, can be seen front and center, passionately leading every Pep Band performance. According to Furey, Taylor also provides the group with important “input, advice and coaching.”

The Pep Band can be seen and heard pumping energy into the players and crowd this weekend when the Events Center hosts the 2008 America East Men’s Basketball Championship tournament.