Following Drexel to the Tourney

The Drexel University men’s basketball team has its best chance in years to do well in the NCAA Tournament and surprise a few people with their quick paced play.

For the first time since last season’s game against Duke at Madison Square Garden, there is electricity in the air for Dragons basketball; Drexel wowed the country and pushed the Blue Devils to the limit before fading out late in the game, losing 78-68.

Having a sports team from your college go to a major event like the NCAA tournament is a big deal. Only the top 65 (+1 with a play in game) teams are invited to attend and smaller schools such as Drexel get a chance to showcase their talent in the national spotlight. The Cinderella story from last year’s tourney, George Mason, is from the Colonial Athletic Association -something to keep in mind.

The last time Drexel made the tournament was 1996 when Malik Rose (who now plays for the New York Knicks) led the Dragons to their lone tournament victory against the University of Memphis. The Dragons are led these days by senior Bashir Mason, who exhibits qualities similar to Rose when he played at the DAC.

With all these factors in play, I was wondering how dedicated Drexel basketball fans were and just how far they would go to support their team. If the Dragons made it all the way to the NCAA championship, which is a long shot but still a possibility, would the Drexel faithful make the trip?

I interviewed “die-hard” fans to see just how far they would travel to see the game. Do they have enough school spirit to travel to Atlanta to watch the Dragons play for a national title?

Nathan Nadeau of the Lebow School of Business has been to most of Drexel’s home games and considers himself an avid fan. When asked if he would make a trip to New York for the opening round, he replied, “I would definitely make a trip to see Drexel play in the opening round of the tourney. I’m not sure how far they could make it after that but to see them win a game at all would be pretty exciting.”, he said. Nadeau added that if they made it to the sweet 16, the Final Four or even the championship game he wouldn’t make a trip further than New York. “I would just stay at school and watch it with friends, maybe have a like a party.” he said.

I also interviewed Mike Welch, who is also from Lebow. Mike made the trip down to Madison Square Garden last year to watch Drexel take on Duke. If Drexel made it deep in the tournament, he would not make the trip to watch them. “Going to New York last year was pretty cool and the game was against Duke and it was in the Garden so a group of us decided to make the trip. It was awesome watching Drexel almost beat a big name school like Duke. I also wanted to heckle J.J. Redick.”, he said. I asked Mike and Nathan how far they would travel and both answered the New York area, maybe Virginia for the CAA Championships.

A third student, Arshiia Vakil, said he would definitely make the trip if Drexel made it deep in the tournament. “If there were tickets available for the championship game I would absolutely go see them play, no one would expect them win so it would be a great story to follow.”, he said. Vakil added that he doesn’t think that many Drexel students would make the journey all the way to Atlanta if Drexel played for the national title. “I mean Atlanta is pretty far to go and the tickets are expensive so I don’t think anyone would really go.”

I shared thoughts similar to these students and I consider myself a pretty big fan of Dragons basketball. Basketball is a bandwagon sport; the team is really doing a lot for student morale. However, the increase in the price of the ticket would most likely deter college students from spending that kind of money on a ticket to the game. The NCAA tournament typically sells out months ahead of time; to make sure I ventured to NCAASports.com to get more information about the tournament itself and to see where each round would be played.

All of the opening round games are being played in Dayton, Ohio, a mere eight - and – a – half - hour drive. OK. So it looks like opening round is out of the question. The first and second rounds are totally sold out already and the cost of a ticket around $150, more than most college students are willing to pay to see a basketball game. The regional games are also totally sold out and the price jumps from $150 to $220. The championship game is taking place this year at the Georgia Dome which, in case you were wondering, is 13 hours away or a $450 plane ticket - I would love to make the trip if anyone is interested.

I noticed that all of the games take place for the most part during the week so that would prevent most from taking a week off from school to go watch their team play. I started thinking who goes to these games? Do students take a week off from their studies to show their school colors and support their team?

So I thought about why someone would take the time, money and energy to go to the game in person as apposed to watching the game from the comfort of their own home. I guess they do it to say that they were there but I’m not sure if I’m sold on that. I mean yes, you were there but I saw the same thing from my couch and I didn’t have to move, I didn’t have to spend the money, I didn’t have to miss a week of class.

On the other hand the journey to the game is half of the fun. Getting a group of friends together and taking a road trip, I mean that is what college is all about. And experiencing a sporting event live is hands down one of the best things in life so maybe it is all worth it. I did notice that the final game is Saturday, March 31st, which just happens to be the last Saturday before spring term starts. Would the trip be worth what it would cost in time, money and energy?
I guess when it comes down to it, if the Dragons are still playing on March 31st and I have the choice to sit and watch the game on the couch or try to get a ticket to Georgia, I think the DAC Pack should definitely try to make the trip and maybe we can ask Dr. Papadakis for a week off from class to support the Blue and Gold.