Meet Five Xavier Seniors Bringing the Musketeer Spirit to the BIG EAST Tournament
Mar 11, 2023
You likely know the faces of Xavier's men's basketball team by now, but they aren't the only ones making their presence felt this week at Madison Square Garden.
Members of Xavier's Cheerleading, Pep Band and X-Treme fans have played their own unique roles in the Musketeers' BIG EAST Men's Basketball Tournament run. See what they had to say about their experiences in New York, what they love about Xavier, their plans after graduation, and more.
Kenny Schneider, President, X-Treme Fans
Hometown: Monroe, Connecticut
Major: History/Philosophy, Politics and the Public
Being all the way from Connecticut, how did you end up at Xavier?
Honestly, Xavier was just the right fit for me. I mean, being in the BIG EAST, the class sizes, knowing my professors would know who I am personally — all that meant a lot to me. I had a family connection with my grandfather and a couple great uncles who went to Xavier as well. It was just a lot of factors. And honestly, Cincinnati’s a really great place. I really love it there.How many times have you been to the BIG EAST Tournament now? What have you been up to?
This is my second time. My first year at Xavier we played here and the game didn’t go our way, unfortunately, and then we walked up the Madison Square Garden steps and that was literally the night everything shut down with COVID. We got sent home that day. The last two years, with restrictions, we haven’t had the chance to come back so being here and getting to see a BIG EAST win in person was just unreal. The atmosphere is awesome. Just being back here is really, really cool. We hit Central Park. There are so many great places to eat, I went to one of Gordon Ramsey’s restaurants. I went to the MLB Store. It’s been a great trip and we’ve still got some time. Being back here at all – I’m just super grateful for that.
You’re President of X-Treme Fans, what goes into that and what else are you involved with on campus?
I’m part of the interfaith leadership team in the Center for Faith and Justice. I’ve been on the Manresa orientation team for the last three years and was a group facilitation this year, which was really cool. I was honored to get to do that and take on a leading role. For X-Treme Fans, we do a lot. I can’t take all the credit, our advisor Trevor Fontan and my vice president, Caden Seraphine, do a lot of work along with others on our team. I’ve been able to be a part of this for four years and to be able to put this trip on for our students again has been really great – especially for those who haven’t had the opportunity to go the last couple years. We put together the “X-Shirt” each year, which raises money for the All For One Fund and our larger goal is trying to get people to go to all of the sporting events at Xavier. We promote going to volleyball, soccer, baseball and all the other sports as well. It’s super rewarding for me and it’s been a lot of fun, it’s made my college experience that much better for sure.
Coach Miller has tweeted several times this year about how great the student section has been. What do you think makes X-Treme Fans stand out?
I think what makes us stand out compared to any other school is just the dedication and the hardcore fandom we have at Xavier. 10,250 at Cintas Center is always sold out and even here, 700 miles or so from home, we walk around and we hear the “let’s go X” chant.
Is there anybody you’d like to thank or shout out now that graduation is right around the corner?
For X-Treme Fans, I’d like thank our board and Trevor Fontan for a great year. My parents have supported me and got me through this by encouraging me and sticking by me the last four years. My girlfriend, Heidi, has been great and very supportive as well. Everything has just been great.
Daniel Joyce, President and Drummer, Xavier Band
Hometown: Philadelphia
Major: Finance and Political Economics
How many times have you been to the BIG EAST Tournament now? What is the best part about coming to New York?
This is my third trip to Madison Square Garden because of the NIT last year, but I’ve been to two BIG EAST Tournaments and this is absolutely the most exciting one. When I come here, I like to do the food and explore. I’m big into art, so I went to the Frick Museum of Art and The Met. If I have some time on Saturday, I might go back to see more of The Met too.
What’s been your favorite part of the band experience at Xavier?
I was voted in as president this year and my favorite part has definitely been initiating and seeing our growth. We actually grew from about 50 to 75 people this year. Seeing all of our new members learn the traditions and seeing them at the first few games made me feel great and I knew it was because of the team we had in place. We were able to bring them into that environment and they got to learn how fun it is to go to the games and be a part of the band.
What else are you involved with on campus?
My freshman year, I joined SGA, club volleyball and pep band. As I transitioned and grew, I focused on band and increased my involvement with the Smith Scholars Honors program. I started to write for the newspaper and have been a more involved senior when I’m not busy with my classes.
What brought you to Xavier from Philadelphia?
I applied to 11 schools and initially I looked at Xavier because my dad went there. It just ended up being the best decision for me financially and academically. They had a great music outlet in the pep band to go with a great basketball program. All three of those things were a big part of the picture and that’s how I got here.
That’s awesome. Did your dad play in the band too?
He did. He played the clarinet and went to Xavier during the Cincinnati Gardens era of basketball. He visited campus about a month ago and is still a big “X-man” and always will be.
What has surprised you about Xavier, if anything?
Not to say I thought we were disrespected before, but I didn’t realize how respected Xavier was, really, before I got here. And then I got to Cincinnati and started talking to people in my industry I’m going into and learned that a Xavier degree, a membership in the honors program, is really respected – especially in the broader tri-state area and it can be leveraged if you’re willing to work and study hard. The Jesuit aspect of our education really pushes you to be a well-rounded person and I didn’t realize how many people knew about that and respected that.
What’s next for you after Xavier?
In September, I accepted an offer from a place I did an internship at called Bahl & Gaynor, an investment firm local to Cincinnati. I’m going to be working with a bunch of Bearcats over there, but what I have found out is that they come to Xavier games when they want to have a good time. I really look forward to that starting in August.
Alex Howard, Xavier Cheerleader
Hometown: Alexandria, Kentucky
Major: Middle childhood education (concentrations in math and science)
Number of Trips to the BIG EAST Men’s Basketball Tournament: Four
What’s been your favorite part of the Cheer experience at Xavier?
My favorite part of the experience was just becoming super close with all the girls. These are some of my best friends that I'll have forever.
What are some of your favorite things about New York City?
This is my fourth time here, but every time, there's something new to do, there's new food to try. It just never gets old. This trip, we've gone to Times Square. We stunted in Times Square with our coach, which was very fun. We've had team dinners, we're going to do some more sightseeing, go to the 9/11 Memorial, and maybe see the Statue of Liberty. My parents are here too, so I've met up with them.
What have you been involved with at Xavier beyond cheerleading?
I’m in Kappa Delta Pi, which is the educational honor society, and I'm on the board. I'm the treasurer of the of Kappa Delta Pi. I'm also a member of Educators for Justice.
What do you plan to do after graduation?
I plan on staying in Cincinnati. Since I’m a middle child education major, I want to teach upper middle school: seventh- or eighth-grade math or science.
What’s been your favorite thing about Xavier these past four years?
My favorite thing about Xavier was just all the opportunities that it gave me to forward my career, especially in the education program. They give us a lot of opportunities to go out in the field and they also give you a lot of opportunities to meet with other professionals. But it's not so overwhelming that I can't do extracurricular stuff like Cheer or Kappa Delta Pi or Educators for Justice.
Mallory Paris, Xavier Cheerleader
Hometown: Mason, Ohio
Major: Exercise science (minor in applied health science)
Number of trips to the BIG EAST Men’s Basketball Tournament: Two
What’s been your favorite part of the Xavier Cheer experience?
I'm just grateful for all the opportunities. Growing up, Xavier basketball was really big in my family, so being able to be on the court and see it front row is really special to my family and me. My grandfather, Jack Paris, actually played football here, so athletics has always been a big thing (for us).
What are some of your favorite things about New York City?
I’ve been here twice, and it's just a really cool city to see and explore. I like all the food and walking around, doing all the normal tourist stuff. It's a little cold this year, so it's not too fun to walk outside right now, but Times Square was cool to see at night with all the lights.
What have you been involved with at Xavier beyond cheerleading?
I'm a tutor for anatomy, and that's been fun to keep up my knowledge, too, so I don't forget.
What do you plan to do after graduation?
I'm actually going to grad school here for occupational therapy.
What’s been your favorite thing about Xavier these past four years?
I just love the family experience, how close everyone is, and everyone wants you to succeed. All the opportunities that are given, I've been really grateful for.
Jaylen Loza, Xavier Cheerleader
Hometown: Highland, California.
Major: Economics (minor in Finance)
Number of trips to the BIG EAST Men’s Basketball Tournament: Three
What brought you to Xavier from California?
Xavier just emailed me, and I thought Cincinnati was far enough, so I just took off. I didn't even tour the school or anything. I just jumped, took a little leap of faith, and it worked out.
What’s been your favorite part of the Cheer experience at Xavier?
Definitely sitting courtside at all the games. I think it's a great experience. I knew nothing about basketball prior to cheering for it, because I never did high school cheer or anything (only competitive cheer a long time ago), so it's just been a really cool experience to learn and watch and get to know tons of people, best friends. It's been a great time.
What are some of your favorite things about New York City?
The BIG EAST Tournament last year was the first time I've been here, so it's just been a really cool opportunity. Something about the business of it kind of keeps me entertained. The weather's a little cold right now, but we can deal with that. Times Square is really beautiful at night. There are a lot of sights to see, places to shop, food to eat.
What have you been involved with at Xavier beyond cheerleading?
I'm in the Economics Association and I'm also a student employee in the Graduate School Office. I'm also in the graduate program right now getting a license in school treasury, so keeping myself busy.
What do you plan to do after graduation?
I'm currently in the interview process for an HR assistant position at Xavier so that I can finish out my license and then we will take it from there.
What’s been your favorite thing about Xavier these past four years?
My favorite part about being at Xavier is the community. I feel like no matter where I am, there's always somebody there to help me. I have a lot of mentors, a lot of connections, and even in my office, in the classroom, everybody wants to see you succeed. That’s been really great.