The crowd erupted when Seton Hall forward Jacob Dar slammed down an alley-oop at Madison Square Garden during the Big East tournament. As the Pirates surged toward victory, few people in the arena were enjoying the moment more than pep band percussionist Will Sherman.
For then sophomore Sherman, performing in the world’s most famous arena was the culmination of two years of balancing college life with the demands of being a member of the Seton Hall Pep Band.
A percussionist who primarily plays the snare drum, Sherman said being part of the band is a significant time commitment that extends well beyond game days.
“We practice every Thursday night,” Sherman said. “Learning new songs and reviewing the older ones.”
Those rehearsals begin early in the year, requiring members to dedicate time throughout the academic year.
Sherman still remembers his very first rehearsal.
“I was nervous even though I played in a pipe and drum band in high school,” he said. “My friend Emma made me feel comfortable, showing me the camaraderie that comes with the percussion section.”
After that first rehearsal, Sherman quickly found his place in the group. As he became more comfortable and improved his skills on the snare drum, opportunities to travel with the band soon followed.
One of his earliest road trips was a memorable visit to Hofstra University in 2025, where the men’s basketball team played a neutral-site game. Sherman described the trip as a spur-of-the-moment adventure, adding that the band did not get home until well after midnight.
While he enjoyed traveling, Sherman said his favorite place to play was not on the road, but at the Prudential Center.
“The Rock is my favorite,” Sherman said. “There was even one time this past year a cameraman let me hold the TV camera. It was a dream.”
Although he holds the Prudential Center close to his heart, Sherman also fondly recalled traveling to Mohegan Sun for the Big East Women’s Basketball Tournament during both his freshman and sophomore years.
He said he loved the hotel complex as well as the tournament and was excited to attend for two straight years.
By his sophomore season, Sherman had become a fixture in the pep band, playing nearly every game and beginning to feel like he was part of something great.
“The band really is a community, especially with the other people doing percussion,” Sherman said. “These are people I will be friends with for a long time, and we just have so much fun doing it.”
Although Sherman loves being in the band, he noted the importance of time management when balancing performances and academics.
“I learned time management skills in high school, which I use now with the band,” he said. “I use a calendar to make sure I allot time to do my homework around the in-season schedule. It’s worked very well so far.”
While his schedule may be demanding, Sherman said the experience is worth it.
“We are playing 10 songs a game, and learning three new ones each year,” he said. “It’s a ton of music but in the best way possible.”
With two years under his belt, Sherman said he hopes that he can become an example for others to follow as younger members join the band.
“I hope that I can help people manage school with this,” Sherman said. “It really is the toughest part of the process.”
Sherman has no plans to step away from the percussion section anytime soon.
“I’m sticking with the drums,” he said. “The other instruments are great, but percussion has always been my favorite.”
More than the performances, the travel or even the chance to play at Madison Square Garden, Sherman said it is the people who keep him coming back.
“I’m returning to the band for the community aspect,” he said. “There’s nothing like being in the band family, and I cannot wait to continue on in the second half of my college career.”
With two years still ahead of him, Sherman plans on enjoying each and every moment.
Chris Heite is a guest writer for The Setonian’s Features section. He can be reached at chris.heite@student.shu.edu.
