VCU Fans in Houston Relish Being a Part of History

By Malorie Burkett

HOUSTON, Texas, (April 3, 2011) -- Virginia Commonwealth University fans who traveled to Houston for the Final Four were not hanging their heads low Saturday night despite the outcome of the Rams’ game against Butler.

Instead, they showed more pride than ever when reminded that they were present and had taken part in a dynamic moment of VCU history.

“I believe the Rams had an amazing run this year. I think it has been a lot of fun to watch, but no matter what happened today, I feel like we’ve done a lot of good things this year—we beat a lot of good teams, and we put ourselves on the map,” said Michael Wolf, a VCU sophomore from Stafford.

While some VCU fans traveled from Richmond by plane, many made the journey via automobile, like Grant Day, a sophomore biology major, who traveled 21 hours with a group of friends.

According to Day, he and his friends have been enjoying the warmer weather in Houston as well as the wide selection of restaurants. The group plans to stay in Houston for the weekend to take in additional sites and to attend Monday night’s championship game.

“It was a great opportunity and a great experience. I actually was debating on whether or not to come in the first place and I’m very glad I ended up coming,” said Day. “We had the rowdiest Rams out there. I saw it in Richmond and I’ve seen here that our school spirit has been raised ten-fold. People care about the school and the team is what started that.”

And Day is not the only VCU fan who feels like the men’s basketball team is responsible for bringing the university and Richmond community together. Although more than a thousand miles from the VCU campus, the Rams’ fans in Houston found themselves to be completely at home in each other’s company.  

“It’s been really great to have interaction with every big fan. Since we have such a large school, it’s great to see us unified,” said Lauren Tresco, a sophomore fashion major from Richmond. “We have school spirit, but it’s never been like this.

Being able to watch this whole experience— they don’t know it, but they’ve unified our school.”

After the road to the Final Four, many VCU fans who were present in Houston are looking ahead to VCU’s bright future.

“We are part of history, which is pretty much amazing,” said Keshia Eugene, a senior mass communications major from Springfield, Va. “I don’t think everyone is realizing how inspired the city and VCU students have been through this journey.

Our journey ends here, but I think our love for the team doesn’t, so we should not let this pat us down. This will happen again. You’ll see us again.”

Back in Richmond, black and gold was ubiquitous throughout the city on the day of the game. Vehicles and front yards were decorated with the VCU school colors, and fans wore with pride newly purchased Final Four apparel -- historic keepsakes that will serve as reminders of the team‘s memorable tournament run. Nowhere was the Rams‘ influence more apparent than at the 40,000-participant-strong Monument Avenue 10K, which transformed the venerable avenue into a sea of black and gold.

Viewing parties were held in countless locations in Richmond and around the country. At the Siegel Center, approximately 1,400 students, faculty and staff watched the Butler contest. The scene often took on the atmosphere of a live game. The crowd behaved as though the teams could hear them, breaking into “V-C-U“ and “Defense“ chants, razzing Butler free-throw shooters and reacting to made VCU shots with arena-shaking noise. The talented Maggie Walker High School pep band was even on hand to fill in with some spirited tunes.

“The energy from the students in here is great,” said Maurice Boone, a senior. “It almost feels like we’re in Houston.”

Following the game, senior Cordero Wallace said the loss was a small disappointment alongside the events of the past weeks.

“I can take this loss because if you look at what this team has done we’d already won,” Wallace said. “The team played like champions all along.”

Tom Gresham, VCU Communications & Public Relations, contributed from Richmond.