Women's America East Basketball Championship

Today the UMBC Pep Band was on the road…again. I got up this morning around 1, after having about 3 hours of sleep. The band arrived at the RAC at 2:15 this morning and boarded a tour bus for our trip to the women’s America East Conference quarter finals. Our bus left around 3 AM, and with only one rest stop, we were able to make it to Hartford, CT in about 6 hours. The bus ride was pretty unexciting, and most people slept during the ride up. In fact, as I type this entry now we are on our way to Binghamton, NY. “Boondock Saints” is playing on the TV screens, and mostly everyone is asleep. I guess that’s what staying up all night will do to you. But now back to today’s events.
Once we arrived at Hartford University, we once again had to wait to set up our gear until the basketball teams had finished practicing in the arena. We played a few pregame songs, as always starting with “Land of a Thousand Dances”. Once the game started, the Pep Band did their best to root for the Big Dawgs and cheer the team on to another victory, but our efforts weren’t good enough. The women’s team played pretty well, but they just couldn’t make enough baskets to counter the 3 pointers that Binghamton kept sinking.
But there were several highlights of the game: 1) Freshman guard Michelle Kurowski lead the Retrievers with 23 points. She scored the majority of the team’s points during the first half and helped keep the Retrievers in the game. Look out Carlee, you’ve got competition. And 2) The Pep Band and the Boston University Pep Band (who had arrived early for their game @ 2) got the chance to play together. This 45+ piece combined ensemble and the great acoustics of the Chase arena made for a powerful sounding band that helped to rally the crowd and support our home team.
Looking back on today, it would have been cool if the women’s team won their game today, but on the flip side, at least the Pep Band only has to play at one game tomorrow and can then make the bus ride back to Baltimore. After spending 8 hours in a bus seat you long for your own cozy bed.
Although today ended in an upset, it was still a good game, and the trip was enjoyable. The Pep Band is looking forward to the men’s game tomorrow, and hopefully we’ll leave victorious. Time to catch some sleep now. That hotel bed looks really comfortable…