FOR LOVE OF THE GAME

Sam Morris, Las Vegas Sun

Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2007 | 7:04 a.m.

Under banners proclaiming Durango High School athletic team prowess, senior Geoff Green raises his baritone to launch into another rendition of Gary Glitter's "Rock and Roll (Part 2)" with the rest of the Durango pep band.

"When we play, we normally win," Green said.

Often maligned in popular culture - think "band geek" and worse - pep bands remain an integral part of high school basketball games. "The players are always asking if we are going to be there because they want us there," Green said.

Two years ago, the program nearly disappeared because of graduations and having a lot of students siphoned off by the opening of Spring Valley High School.

"We're still rebuilding. When I came here two years ago we were down to 25 kids, but we're up to 76 now and still growing," band director William Woodworth said. "The students are having a lot more fun and they are getting more and more recognition from the students. After the last game, the players even came over and said we were getting much better."

As the final echoes of the Durango fight song finish bouncing off the cinder block walls, the members of the band are finding that they don't necessarily need felt banners to tell everyone how important they are to the game. "It really adds to the spirit and helps keep the fans into the game," Woodworth said.

"It's a good time to be in the Durango band."

And for anyone keeping score, Durango beat Sierra Vista, 69-55.