Pack the stands

Congratulations to the men’s basketball team on their fifth trip in history to the Sweet Sixteen of the NCAA Div. III Tournament. This is a huge accomplishment, and those people who have worked hard on this season should be proud that they have earned a spot as one of the best 16 teams out of the 382 teams in Div. III basketball.To honor these people, the entire UR community should come out to support the team on Friday at 6 p.m. at Tuttle North Gym at SUNY Brockport. However, as of now there is no mass transportation planned to go to Brockport. Athletic Director George Vander Zwaag has offered to provide transportation to anyone who wants to go and contacts his office at x54301 by today at 5 p.m. If enough people call, there will be buses to bring fans to the game.We encourage everyone to buy tickets from the Goergen Athletic Center. As of 5 p.m. on Wednesday, there were 100 adult and 130 student tickets still available. If you are planning on driving home, stay the extra day and go to the game.Imagine the presence and excitement that will be felt by the basketball team if buses of students supporting the UR team show up for an away game. It is a well-known fact in sports that an excited crowd can carry a team to victory. We owe it to this team to give them the best chance they can to win by providing a full and boisterous cheering section.The basketball team has shown an extraordinary example of our school’s motto ? “Meliora,” meaning always better ? as has coach Mike Neer who has won his 400th game at the end of the regular season. By uniting the student body behind a common goal ? in this case moving one step closer to the championship ? sports teams promote the college experience of unity that so many people on this campus are trying to propagate.Whether you are a die hard sports fan or just want to stare at the cheerleaders and hot basketball players ? and even if you don’t usually follow sports ? come to the game. Going to a game is more than just attending a sporting event. It is an experience that can lead to greater community and unity.