In today’s world many people get up and go to a job they hate going to and just slum through their day hating every second they are there. This commonality, however, proves untrue for N.C. State Marching Band director Paul Garcia, who enjoys every minute of his job. The enthusiasm and joy that he brings to his work carries over not only to the band but to the crowd and students that see him. 

“Personally, I am not clocking in collecting a paycheck,” Garcia said. “This means something, this goes beyond that. I want to see the Wolfpack win every game and I want to make sure that myself and the band do everything possible to help the Wolfpack win.”

Garcia’s love for both music and sports leads him to be one of the most enthusiastic fans at any sporting event, whether it is at basketball or football games. Garcia is repeatedly seen cheering on State every second of the game, whether he is leading the “Power Sound of the South” in the N.C. State fight song, trying to distract would-be free throw shooters by waving his arms or even doing pushups at football games for every point that we have scored.

“It’s great to see such enthusiasm from our Band Director of all people,” Joseph Riggsbee, a sophomore in sports management, said. “I remember this past year at one of the basketball games, how the entire crowd was kind of dead, and when an opposing player went up to shoot a free throw he got the entire band and student section up on their feet yelling and waving their arms.”

Garcia has been at State for over six years now and considers himself a great fan of all of the school’s athletic programs. Even before working at N.C. State, Garcia knew about the college’s prestige as he remembered watching the 1983 national title game and coach Jim Valvano running onto the court looking for someone to hug after the miracle win. 

“Even when I was little I knew who N.C. State was,” Garcia said. “I remember sitting at my TV in New Mexico watching Jimmy V. run around the basketball court and I remember watching that and it was just the coolest thing. I was just so excited to come here because of all the history with Kay Yow, Jim Valvano, and the football history.”

As a sports fan, Garcia believes he is one of the luckiest people alive getting to watch ACC football and basketball in one of the best seats in the house. 

“I love sports. I love college basketball and college football so to be here in person watching ACC basketball and Wolfpack football, just being in this environment is a rush,” Garcia said. “I mean I am courtside for every game.”

Garcia is one of the few band directors in the conference, much less all of the NCAA, that shows almost equal enthusiasm to both the band and the game, putting just as much effort into watching the game and cheering on the team. 

“It’s a lot different than other band directors,” Taylor Adams, a senior in the marching band, said. “When I go to tournaments the other band directors are never as enthusiastic and focused on the game as Dr. Garcia is.”

Garcia said he knew exactly what he wanted to do in life, just when he was barely a teenager. 

“I decided in ninth grade that music was what I wanted to do,” Garcia said. “I love sports, but there was something about when I play [music], it’s just another level for me in terms of thinking, feeling and creating. Before I was even done in high school I knew I wanted to teach music.”

Garcia credits music with taking him where he is now, especially early in life coming from a rough neighborhood.  And now being in the position that he is in, he wants to be able to give back to the community and help other musicians achieve their dreams.

“I came from a really rough neighborhood,” Garcia said. “But I got out and music really helped me focus. It helped me play for my undergraduate degree, get a doctorate degree and tour the country with a couple of performing groups. It’s just been amazing and I just want to give back and help people experience some of the things I have, and not get stuck in some of the bad things.”

With every year that Garcia has been here, he feels that he has been able to become more and more a part of the N.C. State family and tradition. He hopes that in the end he will be considered a part of the college as well.

“N.C. State has become more and more a part of me and I would like to think that I have become more and more like N.C. State,” Garcia said. “Now with every game, every win comes with great joy and every loss is disappointment. So I want to do everything I can to help our teams experience fewer losses and get more of those wins.”