Talk about being in a New York State of Mind!

Northern Arizona University’s Lumberjacks Marching Band is making some State 48 history this week by becoming the first college marching band from Arizona to perform in the iconic Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City!

We caught up with the band’s director and one of the drum majors while they were in the Big Apple. They’ve been practicing quite a bit, including performing in Central Park.

“It seriously has been incredible,” says Sebastian Cisneros-Ortega, an NAU junior who is part of the school’s drum majors and is also a graduate of Paradise Valley High School.

Performing in Central Park is really just the opening act as the Lumberjacks gear up for their biggest audience yet – millions of people in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.

“It’s been absolutely wild,” says Sebastian. “I am still processing the fact that we made it. It’s truly been magical and a dream come true and I wouldn’t trade it for anything else in the world.”

And it sounds like Sebastian and his more than 250 other bandmates are getting rave reviews already.

“The crowd just grew bigger and bigger and bigger, and we were all sitting there, like, oh my gosh! They’re here to see us and what Arizona has to offer!”

It all started for NAU 18 months ago when they found out they’d be performing. The school posted a video on its YouTube page to highlight the moment students found out.

“It’s about giving our students [opportunities] that other bands across the country have and it’s putting them on the national stage and recognizing their amazing hard work,” explains band director Stephen Meyer.

Meyer made it to the iconic parade once before in 2009 as a band director for a high school in the Midwest.

Meyer says this moment is about helping his students hit high notes along the parade route – and also in life.

“Hard work pays off,” Meyer says. “And anything really is possible!”

“If we work hard enough, anything can be possible,” says Sebastian. “With our hard work, with our effort, our dedication, we can make these great things work!”

NAU will perform three songs during the parade – and before that, will take part in a special ribbon-cutting ceremony with none other than Wicked star Cynthia Erivo!

Just two days remain between the Arizona Wildcats’ biggest game of the season, a heated rivalry match between them and the Arizona State Sun Devils that has lasted since 1899.

The Wildcats’ offense ran all over the Baylor Bears’ defense on the way to a 41-17 blowout victory in Casino Del Sol Stadium and now face the challenge of doing the same to an ASU defense that ranks second in the Big 12 when it comes to stopping the rush.

Arizona’s defense must also play at its very best when it goes up against the Sun Devils offense that ranks fifth in the conference, third in rushing and eighth in passing.

Both Gonzales and Doege had plenty to say in Tuesday’s press conference, from the emotions of playing in a fierce rivalry game to what their squads need to do to come out of Mountain America Stadium with a fifth consecutive win. Here is a collection of what they had to say.

“We stink at stopping the run. So, what are they going to do? They’re going to run it a thousand times. Sims is going to probably have 50 carries. Raleek Brown’s going to have 40. And then they’re going to isolate Jordyn Tyson one-on-one. They’ll get us to put 10-to-11 guys in the box and see if they can beat our DBs one-on-one. That’s what I would do if I was them. That’s what I keep hearing.”

“So, I think they’re a damn good football team. I think Jeff Sims, if you watch the Iowa State game he’s physical, he’s big, he’s strong, and he plays football with the right demeanor. Raleek Brown, if you watched the Colorado game on Saturday night, he is physical, twitchy, fast.”

“Jordyn Tyson was finally back and I think he’s the best 50-50 ball catcher in America. I mean, he’s he is elite when the ball’s thrown up in the air. So, our DBs are gonna have a great challenge when they throw it to them.”

“People have struggled running the football on them and it’s because they’re really stout up front. They do a good job of doing what they do well. I think the linebackers are very active and then I think they got two really, really, really dynamic corners that they’re allowed to play on an island and play man free with.”

“I think their safeties are really, really, really aggressive and very, very physical. There’s a couple times on tape and they’ll come down and smack you, smack you. They’re extremely physical and they’re good at what they do.”

Advertisement

“It’s passion over emotion and anything you do in life, if you make an emotional decision, it’s most of the time stupid and wrong. Then if you make a passional decision it means that you will put a commitment and made a commitment to make that choice. And so we cannot be full of emotion and there will be a ton of it all the way from the the warm-ups. That’s how it is.”

“In 2018, they had to line the Arizona State Troopers across midfield because there was a couple of interactions within the teams before the game. It doesn’t need to be that way. This is a great rivalry that the people up there don’t like the people down here.”

“We retain the quarterback and then we had to build around him when we started at the offensive line position the biggest part of that is we hit because you take five or six transfer linemen you’re hoping that you hit on two or three of them and we really hit on all of them and we hit in a big way. I mean KD (Ka’ena Decambra) is a major player for us.”

“Tristan (Bounds) ended up being a major player for us. Ty Buchanan is a major player for us. So those guys helped us turn us around pretty quickly. And then obviously some skilled guys with our receivers with (Luke) Wysong and Hut (Kris Hutson and (Tre) Spivey and all those guys. It just end up being a good group um of talent.”

Tell us your thoughts on the coordinators and how they have turned the program around from last season by commenting on our X account. Just click the link to find us and be sure to give us a follow.

Advertisement

The University of Arizona women’s basketball team (4-0) prepares for their matchup against the University of Northern Colorado (5-1) on Tuesday, Nov. 25, at 6 p.m. in McKale Center in a nonconference matchup. The Wildcats look to continue their streak to 6-0.

Northern Colorado players to watch

The Bears are a highly efficient team, converting 44.2% of their 2-point shots and pairing this offensive prowess with a strong defensive effort. They consistently hold opponents to under 55 points per game, making them a formidable opponent in any matchup. 

Leading the way is sophomore guard Neenah George, who averages 12.8 points per game and serves as the team’s primary ball handler and perimeter threat. George is particularly adept in late-game situations, using her quick first step to get by defenders and excelling both as a creator and catch-and-shoot player.

Anchoring the frontcourt is Tatum West, a reliable option who averages 11.5 points and 8.3 rebounds per game while shooting an impressive 63.4% from the field. West’s skill set complements George’s, as they often pair well in ball-screen actions, with West taking advantage of opportunities to roll to the rim, secure rebounds and score second-chance points. Standing at 6-foot-2, West is at her best when she gets touches with her back to the basket, where she can utilize her drop-step or hook shot and consistently draw fouls to get to the free throw line.

Wildcats to watch

The Arizona Wildcats’ offensive strategy is centered around Mickayla Purdue, a senior guard who transferred from Cleveland State University. Purdue has made an immediate impact, ranking 13th nationally by averaging 22.5 points per game. Her scoring versatility was on full display with a remarkable 31-point outing against University of California, Irvine. Whether in isolation, coming off of screens or finishing easy layups in transition, Purdue consistently finds ways to put points on the board and remains the focal point of the Wildcats’ attack.

Supporting Purdue is Noelani Cornfield, a transfer guard from the University of Buffalo, who serves as the team’s primary facilitator. Cornfield leads the Wildcats with an average of 8.5 assists per game, orchestrating the offense and ensuring her teammates are involved. While she may not be a high-volume scorer, Cornfield contributes significantly in clutch situations, ranking in the top 10 nationally with a free throw percentage of 91.7%. Her steady hand is also felt on defense, where she averages two steals per game, providing leadership and versatility on both ends of the floor.

Head coach Becky Burke has emphasized the need for defensive improvement following a recent game in which the Wildcats allowed 76 points to NAU, a team she expected to hold below 60. Burke underscored the importance of playing with pride and intensity on defense. 

“You can be dynamic on offense and also be dynamic on defense,” Burke said. “You got to have pride on that end of the floor. It’s got to matter to you just as much when nobody’s necessarily cheering for what you’re doing on the defensive end.”

With this mindset, the Wildcats aim to set the tone early against Northern Colorado by

forcing turnovers and capitalizing on their opponent’s vulnerability to giveaways. Generating turnovers will allow Arizona to push the pace, get out in transition and play their preferred fast-paced style of basketball.

Follow the Daily Wildcat on Instagram and Twitter/X