A Taylor alum performed with the Razorback Band at the Outback Bowl.
This New Year’s Day was unlike any I had ever had before. Thanks to the success of the Arkansas football program, the band traveled to Tampa to cheer on the team at the Outback Bowl game. Arkansas played against Penn State.
After a 30-hour bus ride from Fayetteville to Tampa, the band spent the days leading up to the game performing at pep rallies, parades and battle of the bands. Arkansas has not gone to a bowl game since 2016, so the team spirit in the air was electric.
The day of the game we all woke up bright and early to prepare for the historic day. We arrived at the Raymond James Stadium and prepared with sunscreen and shades at eight in the morning. Tampa’s weather was a big adjustment after many games performed in chilly fall temperatures.
The performances were very exciting. There were many Razorback fans that took the long road trip to support the team, which gave me more confidence in the new environment.
I had many of my own fans, such as friends and family back home, cheering me on, which gave me even more motivation while sweating it out in the humid tropics. The game felt like summer as the Florida sun blazed across the stadium.
The Arkansas Razorbacks trampled the Penn State Nittany Lions with the final score being 24-10. It was a wonderful experience to not only have a free vacation, but to also experience another Razorback win.
Being a part of the band has given me many opportunities to travel around the country. With basketball season picking up, I am eager to see which competitions will land in my court.
