It’s the best game I’ve ever seen, in any sport at any venue. The St. Bonaventure University women’s basketball team beat the University of Wisconsin in the third round of the 2009 WNIT at the Kohl Center in Madison, Wisc.
The Bonnies came back from 14 points down at halftime to advance. But it wasn’t just the magic on the court making that Thursday in March special. It was the trek of four college men across seven states in 11 hours to cheer on the Bonaventure women that made the entire day worth it.
We left campus at 4 a.m. on Thursday. For those of you unfamiliar with St. Bonaventure University, it’s not that big. Only 2,000 undergraduates attend the Franciscan college in southwest New York. After a quick stop at the Wilson Farms in Allegany to get some drinks and snacks, we were on our way to Wisconsin to see the Bonnies take on the Badgers.
After St. Bonaventure beat the West Virginia Mountaineers in the previous round, I had given thought about what it would be like to visit Big Ten country to see the game. I had never imagined I would actually be doing it until just two days prior to leaving.
Monday night, I had just finished playing an intramural basketball game in the Richter Center. The clock struck midnight, and I drove back to my apartment in Townhouse 33, behind Francis Hall. As I parked my car and made my way to the front door of the building, a familiar face was standing outside. He spoke to me as I made eye contact with him. I had seen him at all of the basketball games—men’s and women’s—but I had never exchanged words with him.
His name was Shawn Sood, and he lived on the first floor of my building. He asked me if I had car. After I hesitantly said yes, he asked if I had thought about going to Wisconsin for the women’s game. Again, I hesitantly said yes.
Before the “s” had even rolled off my tongue, Shawn’s eyes lit up. Asking me if I wanted to go, he eagerly explained that I wouldn’t have to pay a thing. He and his roommate Devin had already arranged for a place to stay and for Students For the Mountain to sponsor the gas money. Devin opened the window to his room after Shawn had yelled to him. Both wouldn’t relent in their quest to convince me to take them.
It was an intriguing proposition, but the game was in Madison. Would my 1996 Honda Accord with 183,000 miles be able to make it that far? Screw it. I wanted to watch the Bonnies make history. I told them I would go.
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