Hitting Stunts and All the Right Notes: Nathan Paris

Band together with your Cheerleading program for an unforgettable game day experience!

What do marching band and cheerleading have in common? They’ve both been beloved activities of UCA Staff Instructor, Nathan Paris! If you’re an avid basketball fan, you might recognize Nathan from his March Madness  spotlight moment where he helped retrieve the basketball from the backboard at the Indiana University vs. Saint Mary’s game. Varsity Spirit caught up with Nathan after the final buzzer to learn more about his experience in spirit leading.

If you were a fly on the wall in Nathan’s high school, there is a good chance you would run into him at one of his many extra-curricular activities. He has always been passionate about his school community and participated in baseball, basketball, musical theater, show choir and band- just to name a few!

When reflecting on what initially drew Nathan to the Marching Hundred at Indiana University, he said, “During my senior year of high school, I spent more time working with the bands and my director of bands which led me to a greater interest in continuing to play music in college. My director was a former marching band director and she encouraged me to look into collegiate marching bands.” As a recently admitted incoming freshman at Indiana University, Nathan saw the Marching Hundred as an incredible opportunity to be a part of something bigger than himself while in college.

Two memorable years with the Marching Hundred went by and Nathan started to notice that athletes on a different side of the court were having fun and lifting each other up- literally! Missing the team aspect that organized sports brought him in high school, Nathan considered making the move to Indiana University’s Coed Cheerleading Team. Nathan said, “I was always fascinated with how these guys were able to lift their stunt partners with such ease, and I found the performance aspect- being in front of a crowd- very appealing.” One thing led to another and Nathan tried out for the team in April of 2020 which he says, “was the best decision of my life!”

Fortunately, making the transition from one activity to the other wasn’t too difficult for Nathan since band and cheerleading actually have quite a few things in common. The two programs work hand-in-hand to create the exciting atmosphere that fans know and love on game day. In order to create this atmosphere Nathan notes, “The music the band plays is what the cheerleaders base several of our cheers off of. The school song is a foundation of our program, and the overall experience is a combined effort between band and cheer. Each program operates on counts. Each program also has some of the most dedicated IU sports fans in the world!”

There’s no denying that organized marching bands and cheerleading squads are highly valuable groups that play an integral role in bettering the fan experience at their school. As for March Madness superstar Nathan and his experience at Indiana University he shares:

“During [COVID-19], I struggled with mental health and anxiety. My teammates truly brought me out of some of the hardest times in my life and I would not be able to do what I do without them. These people are the most positive and encouraging group I’ve been a part of. Being in multiple programs has given me the chance to meet many people, all with different backgrounds, interests and personalities. I am grateful to still be in contact with several of my former band peers, which has given me a large group of people to be friends with and support. Band and cheer have both given me a lifetime’s worth of memories during my four years at Indiana University. These people have changed my life and I could not imagine my life without them now.”

Similarly, it’s hard to imagine game day at our favorite universities and high schools without the band and cheerleaders. Thankfully for these two not-so-different organizations, we don’t have to! Make sure to show some extra support for your local band and cheerleaders next time you head to the big game. Who knows? You might even meet the next stars of March Madness.