A new school year brings a new name for Northern Michigan University's Pep Band: the Twisted Whiskers. The group will perform at NMU Wildcat hockey's first regular season series against the Michigan State Spartans on Friday, Oct. 11 and Saturday, Oct. 12.
Prior to Saturday's game, which has an earlier 6:07 p.m. start, Twisted Whiskers will be at the NMU Hockey Puck Drop Tailgate (weather permitting) from 3:30-5:30 p.m.
Selecting the new name was a process that included suggestions from Music Department Head Jeffrey Vickers, Director of Bands Stephen Grugin and NMU President Fritz Erickson.
“Twisted Whiskers was one of the suggestions that was forwarded by the president and seemed to get a more positive reaction by the band students than the others, and was ultimately the one chosen by the president," Grugin said.
Twisted Whiskers, which is composed of up to 48 students, not only plays at hockey games, but also plans to attend most home basketball games and possibly the home volleyball game against Michigan Tech on Nov. 2. This year, Twisted Whiskers will perform a number of new songs to enhance the game atmosphere.
For more information on Twisted Whiskers, contact Grugin at 227-1040. Find out more about NMU's Music Department here.