Student Government is leading a push to have pep rallies on Friday nights before certain home football games, according to Student Body President Jay Dawkins.

According to Dawkins, the pep rallies would be held in the Brickyard with members of the football team, including coach Tom O’Brien, and the band, in an attempt to create an atmosphere similar to that of the Ram Roast.

“I think it will be something that will really build spirit and enthusiasm prior to our home games,” Dawkins said. “It could be something really exciting.”

The main obstacle to holding the events, according to Dawkins, would be dealing with the noise level near the library and getting representatives from the football team to attend.

Melanie Spransy, a junior in history and a trombone player in the band, said she would support such events if they were something band members could choose to do rather than be required to.

“If it was voluntary participation or that kind of situation it would be good,” she said. “I wouldn’t want to be required to go to a pep rally before every game.”

For Dawkins, having the band present would be the most important factor in making the rallies successful.

“The band is obviously the focus,” he said. “They would be the loudest part of the event.”

Should the pep rallies happen, the first one would be scheduled for Sept. 19, the day before the East Carolina game, according to Dawkins.

Michael Clayton, junior in environmental engineering, said he thought the idea of having pep rallies was good but wondered how many people would actually show up.

“I guess it depends on how it’s put on or how well it’s done,” he said. “It would be a really good idea for the big games but not so much before the less-cared-about games.”

Dawkins agreed and said the decision to hold pep rallies for multiple games will come after seeing how successful the first event is.

He also said the participation of the band and football team will be crucial.

“Student Government will be the primary coordinator for getting a stage, sound equipment and promotion but the football team and the band working with us is the key to success,” he said.

Another concern for the band, according to Spransy, would be what time the game was the following day.

“A good amount of the band could show up if it was a big game and the game wasn’t at noon the next day,” she said. “If the game is at noon, we basically have to be at the band room at 6:30 in the morning.”

Clayton agreed and said another good way to grow support for the event would be to get student organizations and members of Greek Life involved to help push attendance.

“Just to be honest, I kind of feel like on a Friday night people aren’t going to come back to campus for much of anything,” he said. “I don’t want to shoot it down before it’s even tried but it definitely needs to be publicized well.”

Brian Fanning, a sophomore in paper science and engineering and alto saxophone player, said he wasn’t concerned about the possible problems associated with the pep rallies.

“Pep rallies would be a great way to get the student body active and a great thing for the band too,” he said. “Obviously there are going to be conflicts, but it’s a great idea. I would definitely go to every one I could go to.”