Hoops HD

The NCAA tournament is about basketball but also so much more: the fans, bands, cheerleaders, etc. The Sweet 16/Elite 8 are taking place in 4 cities around the country and we could not be more excited to be there in person! HoopsHD is covering all of the angles so you can look forward to a cascade of coverage in the days ahead. Jon Teitel continues our coverage from Las Vegas with Arkansas band member Noah Boggs Riley.

You were born/raised in Fayetteville: what made you choose Arkansas? Growing up in Northwest Arkansas, I have fond memories of my parents taking me to Razorback football/basketball games. It was an exhilarating experience and something that I will never forget. I always remember looking down at the field or in the stands when the band was performing and telling myself, “That is going to be me one day!” I decided a long time ago that I was going to be a Razorback and I have never regretted it. They have a beautiful campus and I have received a high-quality education.

You have been playing the trombone for about 10 years: how did you 1st get into it, and what is the best part? In the Fayetteville School District, we are allowed to join the band in the 7th grade and learn an instrument. I originally was not going to do band because I wanted to learn more about media. However, my parents had a different plan for me. My brother was in the band before me so we already had a trombone in our house: it was strongly suggested that I do band and at least try it out for a year. Little did I know that decision would have such a huge impact on my life and who I am now. I tried it out for a year and fell in love with playing music. I continued all the way through high school: I was a section leader to start and later became a drum major. Coming to college, I was worried that the time commitment was going to be overbearing, but after I joined I knew that I could juggle it all. College band has given me more once-in-a-lifetime opportunities/experiences than a regular student. Imagine traveling to Buffalo and seeing Niagara Falls for the first time or going to San Francisco and taking a boat ride under the Golden Gate Bridge with your best friends. That is what being in a band and playing music has given me: the chance to travel across the states to create music and gain new experiences.

You play in both the Razorback Marching Band and the Hogwild Band: what is the biggest difference between playing at a football game vs. playing at a basketball game? There are many differences when it comes to playing at these two events, but the main difference is how intimate the games are. Playing at a football game, the audience loves to watch our pre-game when we form the big “A” on the field and high-march up and down the field. The crowd goes crazy, but there is a clear separation between the performers and the crowd. In Hogwild, we are one with the audience and enhance the crowd’s hype/energy because we are able to interact with the crowd while we perform. The intimacy within the basketball game creates a bi-directional energy of hype.

You are majoring in Human Development and Family Sciences in the Bumpers College: why did you choose those subjects? I originally was a biochemistry major but then decided that was not the path I was meant to fulfill. After taking a few classes in the degree, I discovered that I wanted to hone in on my interpersonal skills and help create connections, not only with others but within themselves as well. I realized that I could create a larger change by studying this than I ever could in biochemistry. These skills/practicing/learning may seem like human nature, but we as a society have lost some of these “natural” skills and need help redirecting the focus from our busy lives.

What is the post-graduation plan? It is still up in the air. I can do a lot with this degree but am not sure where to direct my focus. I definitely know that I want to go to Graduate School after I complete my bachelor’s degree. I could see myself getting my masters in higher education, counseling, or human development and family sciences. Any 1 of these degrees will set me up for success and help me better the lives of the people in my community.

You are part of Kappa Kappa Psi (the National Honorary Band Fraternity) and Alpha Epsilon Kappa (an organization you created for people in your major to network and serve local families/the community): how much importance do you place on community service? I think the least someone can do is give back to the community and people who have given so much to them. Service in general really boils down to having empathy and love for others and being willing to go above and beyond for someone else. It involves selflessness, an attitude of giving, and putting the needs of others before your own while striving to make a difference in this world. It is important as humans to look out for each other.

It sounds like your band duties take up a majority of your time: how do you balance your work in the band with going to class/having a social life? I am the “band kid” and most of us have excellent time management skills because we have to in order to survive. One thing about band is that it is a community. I may be performing my duties for the band, but I am doing it all with my friends (who I call my family). You have your support network and the accountability to get everything done. Everyone you surround yourself with has the same priorities/ambitions that you do, which makes it easier to stay caught up on everything and have a good time while doing it.

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? Our director of the Hogwild Band (Chase Jones) decides who gets to attend the NCAA tournaments. There are multiple factors such as attendance throughout the season, the audition we had at the beginning of the season, and instrumentation. It is also based on our availability. We have had some members who were only able to go on 1 trip this season while other members have been on every trip that we have taken. Being able to go on these trips is an honor that I never thought I would have. It means so much to have the opportunity to be the face of the University of Arkansas. It connects all of the Razorbacks across the nation, and for us to be on the sideline cheering on our team feels like we are the voice of all these Razorbacks. We are One Razorback!

Last weekend you beat Illinois/Kansas in Des Moines: how was it, and how excited is everyone on campus now that you are in the Sweet 16? To beat a 1-seed and the defending national championship was a crazy experience. The little sliver of Arkansas fans in attendance were as loud (if not louder) than all of the KU fans in the entire arena. It was a good feeling to see the team finally click together and produce such an incredible game. Everyone on campus is still going wild that we are in Las Vegas about to start the Sweet 16. Our fans never lost faith in our team even during the low points.

Any predictions for the Razorbacks vs. Connecticut on Thursday in Las Vegas? Hogs by 90…always!