Union campus excited over tournament bids
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JACKSON, Tenn. — There is a lot of buzz in West Tennessee after Union University’s men’s and women’s basketball teams both received bids to the NCAA Division-II Basketball Tournament set to start later this week. WBBJ 7 Eyewitness News spoke with students Monday who said it is something they are glad to be a part of. “Just being a part of the Union community and getting excited about Division-II and our basketball teams making to the national tournament — it’s just an excited feel,” Union junior Jesse Dahms said. “For the first year to be eligible there and for both teams to make it I think is really exciting, and then to have the chance to go in our own gym is going to be really special for all the students,” senior Hunter Hawes said. While the men’s team is traveling to Florida, the women will be hosting games in Jackson. “I’m excited to let these other teams come in and see how special women’s basketball is in West Tennessee,” Sports Information Director Steven Aldridge said. Aldridge said teams getting on this bigger stage is rewarding for the athletic department as a whole. “It’s a bigger stage for our athletes to play on,” Aldridge said Monday. “There’s a lot of eyeballs watching all across the country. When you say NCAA post-season basketball, or any NCAA post-season tournament period, that’s going to start some buzz and bring some excitement.” Students agree. “Almost all kids in America are filling out brackets their whole lives for the NCAA Tournament. Now we get to,” Hawes said. “[That] our own school gets to be part of the tournament is really special.” “Super exciting to students, and I think students are feeling that,” Dahms said. “Hopefully we’re going to pack out that gym and support our Bulldogs as best we can.” Both teams are spending the week preparing for their games at the end of the week. The men are traveling to Florida for their game against Barry College. The women’s game will be played Friday night in Jackson at Fred Delay Gymnasium on Union’s campus.
