Pep rallies are one of the few times you can hear the band perform, watch the dancers and cheerleaders showcase their talent, and it’s even provides a rare opportunity to yell in school. After years of running pep rallies, reciting the “I Believe” and “We Ready” chants, the school has the pep rally routine down. But that’s not necessarily a good thing.

Even though the school is located in the football loving state of Texas, we shouldn’t just have pep rallies in the fall. By stopping pep rallies when the football season ends, it gives a message that all the other sports are far less important. Especially the spring sports. At least the fall sports get to piggy back off of the football pep rallies, but the spring sports can’t even do that much.

It seems even more ridiculous when you look at just how many spring sports have made it to the postseason. Two swimmers and six relay teams advanced to regionals while 10 wrestlers qualified for regionals and three went to state. The varsity boys basketball team finished second in district and advanced to the playoffs. Varsity softball made the playoffs last season and expects to advance again this year.

But pep rallies do more than recognize the current sports season. They’re an important opportunity to showcase the fine arts programs. The Royals are prepping for a national competition and their spring show. We’re in the middle of Winter Guard’s season. The show choir is getting ready for the annual show. These groups need recognition as much as the sports teams and spring pep rallies would be a great way to share their talent with the school community.

Big Picture Night was an attempt at giving spring sports a pep rally. However, it wasn’t during school hours which left athletes frustrated and few students in attendance.

Pep rallies can be difficult to organize and are challenging for those involved in making it happen. But that’s no excuse to denying the other sports and groups a chance to excite the school about their program. After all, that’s what pep rallies are for, pumping up the school.