Editor’s Note: Please vote in our sports poll as we try to crown the UNCW “super fan.” Your choices are Konductor Kenny, Ma Hawk or Parker G. Voting will close March 8 at midnight.

Everyone knows “Ma Hawk” and “Parker G” as two of the most animated fans at UNC Wilmington basketball games. They’re always trying to get the crowd as rowdy and raucous as possible, hoping to have some effect on the final outcome. However, another person is just as key in creating a lively atmosphere, and he doesn’t get as much recognition.

Kennith Watts Jr., the assistant pep band conductor, is just as important as Ma-Hawk and Parker G, if not more, as he is one of the primary catalysts in creating the atmosphere that is Trask Coliseum.

“I got involved with pep band my freshman year,” said Watts. “I kind of started off as a tuba player, even though I’m majoring in trombone in the music department. I’ve always had fun with it, so I figured I’d join. It was the end of my sophomore year, the director at the time said I would be a really good fit to actually lead the band along with him.”

While Watts performs with the rest of the pep band in the stands during men’s basketball games as John Lacognata acts as conductor, he takes over primary position as conductor during women’s games, something he adds his own personal swagger to.

“As far as how I treat games, as long is everyone is doing their job as a musician, I want them to be as spirited as they can,” said Watts. “This section is for spirit groups. We’re not just musicians that come and play and sit here and look at the team. We’re either leading the charge for the student section, or leading the charge for the cheerleaders and dance teams and making sure that everyone knows that presence is here.”

Outside of the pep band, Watts stays involved with the UNCW music department. A trombone major and aspiring music teacher, he was a key member in creating the UNCW drumline that has performed at the past Midnite Madness and Homecoming events. Additionally, he performs in the campus wind symphony and big band.

While his passion for music is undeniable, his desire to create a more fan-friendly atmosphere at athletic events is something that his fellow pep band members appreciate as well.

“For him, being most spirited, even if he didn’t have to go those games, he would all the time,” said pep band member Will Taylor. “He knows everyone from UNCW. He did not just want to play at basketball games, he wanted to perform at volleyball games, soccer games and other athletic events. He’s all for making the games better and bringing more excitement to the game.”

The fans’ perception and Watts’ perception of his routine at basketball games are very different. While the average fan may just think of Watts as some crazy yet committed member of the pep band trying his hardest to liven up the crowd, Watts thinks of his job as having a more meaningful purpose, something that supports him in his quest to be the most spirited Seahawk.

“With having the live music here, 40 people on that band stand, jumping, stomping, cheering, yelling out loud, yelling at the team and opposing team,” he said, “it definitely gives that competitive edge of knowing and believing we’re going to win.”