Prep column: PCL vote silences CdM band

Barry Faulkner

While Corona del Mar High’s famous alumni includes Sugar Ray front

man Mark McGrath, current members of what CdM Principal Don Martin called

his school’s ad hoc pep band, don’t figure to have a record deal in their

future.

Though Martin remains a prominent member of the pep band’s fan base,

principals at five rival Pacific Coast League schools don’t share a

similar music appreciation.

Music, in this case, may be a loose interpretation of what results

when a handful of CdM students -- seniors Josh Yelsey, Erik Knupple,

Kevin Witt, Mike DiSano and Brian Wiseman -- funnel their enthusiasm for

CdM boys basketball through instruments including a pair of base drums, a

keyboard and a snare drum.

Topping the group’s set list are simplistic sporting ditties like the

cavalry charge and the Florida State-Atlanta Braves tomahawk chop chant.

Principals at Estancia, Costa Mesa, University, Northwood and Laguna

Beach voted Monday not to allow the band to continue playing at CdM home

games, presumably sharing the opinion that the group is more about noise

than music.

And, since CIF Southern Section rules prohibit the use of noisemakers,

which bylaw 1623 describes as (horns, bells, victory bells, sirens,

chimes, musical instruments other than those in the band, etc.), their

viewpoint is within reason.

Since hearing of the 5-1 vote against them (Martin remained true to

his school), pep band members have vowed they won’t go quietly.

They said they’ll try to determine what criteria they need to meet to

conform with the definition of a band, and try to comply. Along those

lines, they hope to recruit a permanent faculty advisor, who could also

conduct them at games. They may also look to bring in additional members

with more traditional music experience, like a guitar player and/or a

horn player.

Whether you appreciate their sound or not, you have to admire their

spirit, as well as their desire to help rally supportaround their team.

And, as one band member said, there are ways to make a lot of noise in

the stands without a drum.

The Newport Harbor High boys soccer team has made some noise of its

own, of late, including a surprising 1-0 victory Jan. 18 at Woodbridge,

ranked No. 5 in Orange County at the time (No. 10 this week).

Since seniors Duke Burchell and Trey Meek rejoined the team, the

Sailors are 3-0-1, 1-0-1 in league, heading into today’s Sea View clash

with visiting Aliso Niguel (5 p.m.).

Coach Matty West said the return of Burchell, a first-team all-league

goalie as a junior, and Meek, a first-team all-league forward last

season, has turned a team that opened the season 0-3-3 into a CIF playoff

contender.

West also credits, among others, senior utility man Juan Gonzalez, who

has been nicknamed “El Sombre,” Spanish for blanket.

“We call him El Sombre, because he usually gives the other team’s best

player blanket coverage,” West said.

Friday’s releaguing meeting, where schools took the first opportunity

to officially embrace either change or the status quo, included no

surprises.

Costa Mesa and Estancia said they hope to join the Golden West League,

a request not likely to meet with objection.

But while Newport Harbor and Corona del Mar, by their silence,

endorsed their status in the Sea View and PCL, respectively, their

futures may be dictated by what happens elsewhere.

Should, for instance, Esperanza be granted its wish to leave the

Sunset League, Harbor could be its likely replacement.

And, depending on what proposals are left as principals pare the

field, CdM’s PCL membership may generate increased protests from member

schools weary of being dominated by the Sea Kings, virtually in every

sport.