The heartbeat of Spectrum Magic: Inside Utah State’s pep band

When fans flood the seats at USU basketball games, they come for the electrifying atmosphere, the roaring student section and of course, the invigorating music of the Aggie Pep Band. The tight-knit group of musicians plays an integral role in bringing Spectrum Magic to life by rallying the crowd and keeping energy levels peaking throughout the game. 

In a recent interview, three dedicated members of the band — Aiden Hancock, Ellie Tenbrink and Cameron Steere — shared their experiences and the unique camaraderie that makes their ensemble so special.

Seasoned trombone player Hancock has been heavily involved in Utah State’s music programs, including marching band, jazz band and pep band. 

Tenbrink, clarinetist with over a decade of experience, has been part of the marching band and pep band for several years. 

Steere, another trombonist with over 15 years of experience, currently serves as the student director of the pep band.

Their passion for music unites them, despite the band members’ diverse backgrounds and interests. 

“We all just love music so much that it’s never a chore for us to go and play and have fun,” Steere said.

Whether in the grand setting of a football stadium or the more intimate but deafening Dee Glen Smith Spectrum, their enthusiasm remains unwavering.

Balancing a full academic schedule while committing to pep band responsibilities is no small feat. The band faced a demanding travel schedule last week when they played in back-to-back games: a men’s basketball game in Logan on March 8 and the women’s Mountain West Basketball Championships game in Las Vegas on March 9. 

“It’s not unexpected,” Tenbrink said. “With bowl game travel every football season, we get very little notice. We knew from October that we’d finish the men’s game and less than 12 hours later be on a bus heading to the next.” 

Their secret to sustaining energy? 

“We all napped pretty heavily on the bus,” Tenbrink said. 

Despite the fatigue, their love for performing keeps them going.

“We all really enjoy being at the games,” Hancock said. “That excitement carries us through, even when it’s a quick turnaround.”

Performing at football and basketball games presents their unique challenges and experiences. 

“For football, there’s a lot more preparation because we have a halftime show that changes every game,” Steere said. “We have scheduled rehearsals, whereas for basketball, we only have three rehearsals before the season starts. After that, we just show up and play.”

Another major difference? The atmosphere. 

“At the Spectrum, we’re packed in tightly and really connected to the student section,” Tenbrink said. “It feels like we’re a part of them. At football games, we’re off in our own section, so the interaction isn’t the same.”

Utah State boasts one of the most passionate fan bases in college basketball, known for the famous Spectrum Magic. The pep band plays a crucial role in maintaining that high-energy environment. 

“There’s a precedent we have to live up to,” Steere said “The student section is one of the best in the country, and the band is a huge part of keeping that energy high.”

Their involvement extends even further when supporting the women’s basketball team. With a smaller student turnout at women’s games, the band steps up as the primary source of crowd energy. 

“We have our own set of chants and traditions that we use for women’s games,” Hancock said. “We want to make sure they feel the same support.”

One of the band’s most beloved antics is the “look at the crabs” routine, a distraction technique used when opposing players shoot free throws. 

“It predates us, but it’s become a staple,” Steere said. “Sometimes more than half the band joins in. I’ve caught opposing players and even our own players laughing at it.”

The band finds creative ways to maintain sportsmanship while still making an impact.

“We can’t get technical fouls called on us, so we have to be a little more creative and silly,” Tenbrink said. “That’s why we do things like crabs and our ‘ball is bigger than the basket’ chant.”

Despite their separate roles, the band and the athletes share a mutual respect, understanding the value each of them bring on game day. 

“After wins or losses, they walk past us and say thank you,” Hancock said. “It’s nice to feel appreciated.”

Some athletes even engage with the band, hoping that their energy can osmotically contribute to their in-game success. 

“[Isaac] Davis on the men’s team loves to dance along to our songs,” Steere said. “And during one game, Cheyenne Stubbs on the women’s team actually signaled for us to do ‘crabs.’ That was a pretty cool moment.”

Beyond Utah State, the band also enjoys camaraderie with other schools’ pep bands, particularly in regional tournaments such as the Mountain West Basketball Championships.  

“Our saying is, ‘The band always wins,’” Tenbrink said. “There’s a shared love of music that unites us, no matter what school we’re from.”

One of the most memorable moments of this year’s conference tournament was a musical exchange with Air Force’s band during the women’s first round game.

“We both had ‘Everytime We Touch’ in our sheet music, so we played it, then they played it back,” Hancock said. “It was just a fun little moment of appreciation between bands.”

On game days, preparation is minimal, relying on the few long rehearsals early in the year that engrain the band’s routine.

“For regular-season games, we show up about an hour before tip-off, tune our instruments and start playing,” Steere said. “At tournaments, we arrive earlier, do pep rallies and help carry in equipment.”

USU’s pep band play during a the quarterfinals game against UNLV in the Mountain West Basketball Championship at the Thomas & Mack in Las Vegas, Nevada on March 13. (Kelly Winter/The Utah Statesman)

For most band members, what starts as a passion for music often evolves into a deeper love for sports and the teams they represent.

“Before joining, I barely watched basketball,” Hancock said. “Now I keep up with Mountain West standings and tournament projections.” 

Tenbrink echoed this sentiment. 

“My parents joke that I’ve turned into a sports fanatic,” she said.

The postseason brings an extra level of excitement for the band, and this year’s tournament was particularly memorable for the band members.

“Seeing how well the HURD has traveled this year is amazing,” Tenbrink said. “It feels like we’ve picked up our student section and just brought it to Vegas.”

All three musicians hold the utmost reverence for their band director Lane Weaver.

“He does so much for us,” Steere said. “He arranges nearly all the music we play, which is rare for a single band director.” 

Tenbrink added, “We wouldn’t be here without him. He makes sure we sound our best and get the most out of every performance.”

With such dedication from its members and leadership, the Aggie Pep Band is more than just background music — it’s the heartbeat of USU athletics. As they continue to bring energy, creativity and camaraderie to every game, their role in Utah State’s sporting legacy can’t help but be acknowledged.