Excitement Builds for Basketball Tourney

It's been a long time since there was a sellout crowd for a Sam Houston State University basketball game, but if early excitement is any indication, it could happen again March 12 and maybe even March 14.

On Wednesday (March 12) the 21-6 Bearkats will meet the McNeese Cowboys in the semi-finals of the Southland Conference Tournament. Game time is 7 p.m. in Johnson Coliseum.

If the Bearkats win that game, they will play for the conference automatic berth in the NCAA's "Big Dance," the basketball year-ending March Madness event that determines the best college hoops team in all the land.

The conference tournament championship game is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. Friday (March 14), and will be carried live nationally on ESPN2.

Not since the early 1970s, when the Kats played in the tiny Men's Gym, which held maybe 2,000 counting teams, cheerleaders and the two referees that worked games back then, has there been as much excitement around the campus and in the Huntsville community.

The first indication that there should be a big crowd was the conference's decision that unlike previous years, this year all students will be admitted free with valid identification.

Another indication is the level of support shown throughout the community.

A meeting Friday on the SHSU campus included Dee McFarland, representing the Huntsville Chamber of Commerce, George Miles, also representing the Huntsville business community and SHSU alumni, Treavor Thorn, SHSU admissions/recruiting specialist, Charles Brown, representing the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, Bobby Williams, SHSU athletic director, and James Barrum, SHSU faculty member.

"Wouldn't it be great to see 6,100 screaming Bearkat fans in Johnson Coliseum," said Barrum, a former player at current conference foe Lamar University.

The top crowd this year has been 3,000, when the Kats defeated long-time rival Stephen F. Austin Feb. 22. Barrum said he remembers the great Bearkat team that won AP and UPI national college division championships in 1973 and the level of excitement generated in a packed gym.

Back then the top three SHSU rivals were Southwest Texas, Howard Payne, and of course, Stephen F. Austin. Facing the certainty of long lines and hard feelings, SHSU officials came up with a sign-up and computer selection process for the 1,800 available seats.

James F. Gaertner, SHSU president, has announced that should the Bearkats win their first game and play for the tournament championship at 3:30 p.m. March 14, faculty, staff, and students will be released from class and work responsibilities at 3 p.m. so they can attend the game.

"Not only do we want to win, but we want to look good doing it, for all the basketball fans around the country," said Gaertner.

Sam Houston State University's spring break will be March 17-21, and the dorm check out time of 6 p. m. March 14 has been extended to 7 p.m. to allow students to attend the game.

Tickets for both games are $7 and are on sale at Johnson Coliseum, the Bowers Stadium Fieldhouse, and the Huntsville Chamber of Commerce. Students free with IDs. For ticket information, call 936.294.1729 or 936.294.1740.

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SHSU Media Contact: Frank Krystyniak
March 7, 2003
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