The Triangle

Issue date: 4/3/09 Section: Sports

Media Credit: Greg Carroccio

They say that the NCAA Tournament champion is the team that wins the national championship game taking place at the end of the NCAA Tournament. If this is the case, then according to that definition, the University of Connecticut will most likely be the victor.

But I think there is a definition that better fits the mentality of what a champion exemplifies. It isn't always about skill, one's field-goal percentage or the final score at the end of the game that should be measured.

Instead of focusing on the wins and losses that occur on the court, perhaps we should shift our views toward that of another mindset. Maybe we should try to find a deeper meaning behind the concept of "team" and see if we can relay that message to other sports fans.

The truth is, no one better epitomizes camaraderie and what it means to be a part of a family better than this women's basketball team. Time and time again, these players were faced with tremendous adversity, yet they never made excuses. Through all the trying times, however, these girls could always find comfort in the people they identify as their teammates, their coaches and their siblings.

It is the one thing I admire most about this team. It is rare that you find a team that connects as well with each other as the basketball team has. That may have been the reason they were the first Drexel sports team to win a CAA Championship and propel them to the NCAA Tournament.

But in my opinion, the Dragons weren't CAA Champions after they beat James Madison in Williamsburg, Va. They weren't CAA Champs when they beat VCU in overtime to take over sole possession of first place. I believe they developed into conference champions game based on their attitudes and respect for the game.

Whether it was Nicole's leadership, Gabi's subtle yet pure confidence, Andrea Peterson's incredible adrenaline level and inability to play less than 40 minutes in a game or Tyler's intimidation and her will to always fight for a loose ball, this team was a champion from the start of the season.

It is still difficult for me to comprehend that tonight was my last basketball game as an undergraduate. But looking back on this season particularly, my attitude toward the team shifted vastly. Initially, I covered the team as a journalist. I would watch the games, analyze what I saw on the court and turn that into an article. When I wrote the preseason preview, I did it as a writer.

Continued...

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