There's something quite different between cheering into a computer during a virtual Zoom celebration and being face-to-face among Court Street revelers in Athens, and evidently there were quite a few Ohio University fans who preferred the latter Saturday night.
The university had invited the public to a virtual "Big Dance" party Saturday to celebrate the 13th-seeded basketball Bobcats' upset victory over 4th-seeded Virginia, the defending national champions. About 500 participated, the university said.
But after the victory, the city's Uptown was filled with students and residents, honking cars and crowded bars. The onslaught prompted one student to reply in a social media post: "They are all going to wear their masks, right?"
It was a group of very excited students out showing their enthusiasm," said Carly Leatherwood, Ohio University spokeswoman.
"It's a really difficult place to be in," said Leatherwood. "The natural human reaction is to want to celebrate."
OU Bobcats: Joe Burrow congratulates Bobcats on upset of Virginia
University officials are urging students and outsiders to be responsible if the Bobcats' run continues Monday in the second round.
The Bobcats face Creighton, a 5th seed that on Saturday just squeezed past 12-seed UC Santa Barbara, 63-62. Ohio is a 6-point underdog, according to the Vegasinsider.com line.
The matchup with Creighton will take place Monday at 6:10 p.m. And prior to that, a virtual pep rally will be held from noon to 1:30 p.m.
The Ohio University Alumni Association and Ohio Bobcat Club are sponsoring the online pep rally, which will include special video messages from OU President M. Duane Nellis, Boals, the Marching 110, and the University Dance Team. More speakers will be added as details are finalized.
The online events, even a dance part, are a positive, Leatherwood said.
"We've got alumni all over the world, including in Iceland. This has given us an opportunity to feel that Bobcat pride anywhere in the world."
Athens police had blocked off Court Street around 9 p.m. Saturday to keep the estimated crowd of a few hundred safe.
Before midnight, officers had to clear the streets. There were no reported arrests.
OU Bobcats: Jason Preston, Ohio University's unlikely star, poised for March Madness fame
The alumni association and the Bobcat Club hosted that online event, too, with DJ A-Roc, music and dance teams, prize giveaways and messages from head coach Jeff Boals and others.
After the win, Boals, a former Bobcat player, said the March Madness win, and possibly more, can have big payoffs.
"Recruiting, fan base, alumni, university. It's something that every school like ours dreams about. With social media the way it is right now, I can imagine what Court Street is doing. Our goal is to represent Ohio University the right way on the floor, off the floor."
"Bobcat Nation is proud. I know they stand up and cheer for old Ohio. Hopefully we keep this thing going."
The upset drama rippled throughout the Buckeye state and captivated everyone, including Thad Matta, former Ohio State University head basketball coach.
"Sitting in the OU section, and just seeing those people, just the passion they had and then after the game, just the excitement... I never got to see that in the crowd because as a coach you go to the locker room," said Matta, who was Boals' boss when he was a Buckeye assistant coach.
"That was one of the greatest things, walking out of Assembly Hall last night and just the OU people high-fiving and smiling and doing their OU cheer. It was electric. There's no doubt about that."
OU Bobcats: Ben Vander Plas leads Ohio's March Madness upset of Virginia
Joey Kinsley, 27, watched the game from his home in Rocky River, a Cleveland suburb.
When he realized the Bobcats might win, he drove three hours to Athens, arriving about 1 a.m. Sunday.
"I just thought it would be fun," he said. His Twitter post proclaims his excitement: "I'm pro-Ohio baby. Always been, always will be."
Despite the then-empty streets, he told the Dispatch that the trip was worth it.
"In non-Covid times, I would have done a lot of boozing on Court Street. But it's still something I can look back on."
In his Twitter post, Kinsley said he was sorry that the crowds had dispersed. "I'd be lighting a couch on fire right now," he said.
Asked about that Sunday afternoon, he explained: "I think people should have fun and celebrate, but do it responsibly."
Dispatch reporter Bill Rabinowitz contributed to this story.
@DeanNarciso
Source link
