WSET.com - ABC13Looking Back on March Madness by Lauren Compton

Let me start by saying I'm no sports fan. I only enjoy basketball during the playoffs and championships. And, like many women I only take notice of the NFL when it gets close to Super bowl time. But, I say you don't have to be a die hard sports fan to love March Madness, especially if your alma mater is having the best season of their history. The VCU Rams beat top basketball schools, and busted brackets to play in their first Final Four ever. America was swept away in their Cinderella journey.

The Rams didn't bring home the big trophy, but they brought back something greater, something you can't put on a mantle. The RAMS brought Richmond and VCU together. And, for students both past and present the RAM's run in the tournament renewed our sense of school pride.

I confess I dusted off some old VCU shirts at the bottom of my drawer and started wearing them A WHOLE LOT more. As the national spotlight began to gleam down on my alma mater Virginia Commonwealth University, something in me wanted the world to know that I too had roots in this magnetic school.

I've always been proud of my VCU roots, but the NCAA tournament let the nation see why VCU is so special. I could write a whole other blog about that subject. The culture, the diversity, living, and studying in our state's capitol are all things that makes VCU one of the best colleges in the state. But, maybe I'm bias. 

The RAMS run in the tournament was indeed a Cinderella moment, and I think everyone wanted to have a piece of the historic moment. The minute the memorabilia t-shirts came out I like hundreds of VCU fans raced to get a Sweet 16 or Elite 8 t-shirt.  I shelled out $80 bucks to VCU Bookstore in the matter of just two weeks. And, to tell you the truth I think it was money well spent. Those t-shirts will forever remind me of the time the VCU RAMS made the basketball world take notice.

With each win I think all alumni and students felt it wasn't just the boys playing on the court, we were playing too. I think that's why the fan frenzy went to a whole new level. We were a community unified cheering for this scrappy team that no one believed in. I think a lot of what fueled the RAMS Madness on campus and around Richmond was our ability to identify with the scrappy team so many said didn't deserve a shot to play.

The RAMS took us all on their journey.They reminded us that even when giants are in front you all things are possible. They were the underdogs, the brunt of sportscasters jokes. But, they stood victorious, making history in their school, and proving to the world all it takes to win is belief in yourself, and dedication.

Congratulations RAMS for an amazing run in the NCAA tournament. Let's prove them wrong again next year.