Tech Band of Pride celebrates centennial - shollis

Louisiana Tech's Band of Pride shows its age as members perform during half-time at the football home opener against Nicholls State.

They're at the football games. They meet the team after away games. They even have a group for basketball games. Louisiana Tech's Band of Pride has been leading Tech spirit -- and pride -- for 100 years.

A photo from the 1915-1916 university yearbook, the Lagniappe, shows band members from that era.

In his 16th year at Tech, Jim Robken is leading the Band of Pride in its centennial celebration. “First [the band] was military-type, based on the military style of all boys,” Robken said. “During World War II the first girls were allowed in the band.”

More recently, the band has made other additions.

Not long ago, Tech formed the Victory Band, which met the football team at the Thomas Assembly Center after away-game wins. Two years ago the band began to meet the team regardless of whether they won or lost.

A backward glance reveals the changes, as well as traditions, since the group's beginning in 1906.

“We've been disturbing the peace for about three years now,” said Dr. Gary Westbrook, assistant director of the band.

Another addition since 1906 has been the Band of Pride's participation in events such as Time Out for Tech and Bark Practice. The band's game-day routines are ever changing.

Enthusiastic about this momentous anniversary is percussionist and sophomore business major Jeremy Dazzo of Mandeville.

“From what I've been told, the band has played at the (Tech) president's house as long as anyone can remember," Dazzo said. "That's pretty neat.”

With Homecoming just around the corner, both Robken and Dazzo added that the festivities planned for both alumni and students this year are unprecedented.

“This is a really big deal -- and we're going to make it a really big deal,” Dazzo said.

The prestige in being connected with such a strong Tech tradition is not lost on Dazzo.

“It feels good,” he said. “I've never been part of an anniversary celebration before. It's a special thing, and we're going to be here to celebrate 200 years."

-- By Anna de Tiege, Tech journalism student