NCAA Chronicles 7: Victory

Thanks to all who have written in this afternoon and evening to share your thoughts on this remarkable day in the history of the University of Hartford. We are all back inside the Westin now. The players are drained and will get a very good night's sleep indeed.

The scene at the hotel as we departed this morning was memorable. A New Jersey sheriff arrived to personally escort the team bus. Meanwhile, the pep band and cheerleaders lined the entrance. As the players made their way to the bus, the University of Hartford Fight Song filled the air. Howie the Hawk was present too. Basically, the University of Hartford took over the Westin for an hour.

Laurie Fasciano is managing all our travel during the trip and saw two positive signs leading up to the game. She noticed three hawks flying above the hotel yesterday. Then, when we arrived at the Sovereign Bank Arena, one of the pretzel snacks they were offering was called "Hawksters."

Well, Laurie was right. The Hawks let the nation see what we have all season, beating the nation's 18-th ranked team, 64-58. Temple All-American Candace Dupree was held in check by a ferocious Hartford defense. Danielle Hood continues to look better with each game. Ikea Witt played one of her best games as a Hawk in front of her family and friends in the area.

I might also say that the Hawk contingent that came down to Trenton was impressive, and Temple was surprised, being that they considered this almost a home game. When the Hawks took the floor for warm-ups and a loud ovation ensued, I noticed a couple of the Temple players, who were already on the floor, looking at each other with a sense of disbelief. The Hartford fans would get no quieter on this day.

The team and coaches stayed around to watch Georgia defeat Marist before heading back to the hotel for an hour and then on to dinner at Ruby Tuesday's.

The University of Hartford's name is all over screens, newspapers, and Web sites nationwide tonight. This remarkable season has extended well beyond the seats at Chase Arena, Reich Family Pavilion.