Last Monday Georgia State beat Louisiana 80-71 in the Sun Belt tourney title game to earn an automatic bid to next week’s NCAA tournament. The Panthers started conference play 0-4 but flipped the switch and won each of their final 10 games this year to make the NCAA tourney for the 3rd time since 2018. Earlier today HoopsHD’s Jon Teitel got to speak with Georgia State band member Paul Burkett about making the dean’s list and going back to the NCAA tourney.
You grew up in Norcross, GA: what made you choose Georgia State? I have always been drawn to the city of Atlanta and knew that it had a great music school. They also have a great athletic band program.
You are majoring in Music Management: why did you choose that subject, and what is the post-graduation plan? I have always loved music and the business side of it as well. There is a lot of behind-the-scenes work that goes into promoting musicians and I would love to be part of a radio station.
You have been with the Basketball Band for 5 years now: how did you 1st get into playing an instrument, and what is the best part? I started band in 6th grade as a trumpet player. I continued playing trumpet during high school and decided to audition for the Basketball Band and decided that it was the best fit for me: they were so welcoming.
The Panthers made the NCAA tournament in both 2018/2019: what are your favorite memories from your trips to Nashville/Tulsa? I was unable to go to the conference tourney in 2018 so Nashville was my 1st introduction to real basketball on a great stage. It was unforgettable to see all of the fans cheering us on.
You were named to the dean’s list last fall: how do you balance your work in the band with your work in the classroom? It is all about scheduling. I take time to do my schoolwork and once I finish the stuff that is the top priority I relax by playing/listening to music.
You spend a lot of your free time watching/studying college basketball games: any good tips you have for us as the conference tourneys come to a close? Keep your eyes open for some major upsets: we have already seen a few this week!
Last Monday in the Sun Belt tourney title game the Panthers had a 9-PT win over Louisiana: what is the atmosphere like on campus this week after winning the title? It is great! I have seen a lot of people cheering on the team: they returned the next morning and there was a little parade after they got off the bus. The school knows that we can continue further in the NCAA tourney.
How does your school decide who gets to go to the NCAA tourney, and what will it mean to you to see your group doing its thing in front of a national TV audience? We audition to get into the band and our professor dictates who gets to go based on factors such as performance/attendance/academics. It feels great to be selected and represent my band/school. We are still growing and the young people coming in feel the same way.
Does the band have anything extra-special planned for the NCAA Tournament next week? Not that I know of.
Any predictions for next week? I saw a quote by Coach Rob Lanier saying that he had some great goals for this team and that winning the Sun Belt would allow them to achieve that, so I stand by him. If we play cohesively as a team then we have a shot of pulling off an upset.