First a car, then a plane and then a train. A quick taxi ride to the hotel and there we were, in the nation's capitol, Washington D.C. It only took extra time through TSA, getting on the wrong shuttle at the airport and some great encounters with Rhode Island fans making the trek to southeast Maryland to see their team attempt to defend the title.
Being a student broadcaster has afforded me many privileges. I have travelled to Northeastern, Providence College, and Brown but those games were all a car ride away. But, nothing compares to this experience.
We checked into the hotel at about 4:00 on Thursday afternoon, with shenanigans and tourism flowing through our veins. The first stop, Capital One Arena, the location of the A10 tournament. We watched the two evening games and headed back to our hotel for a rendevous with the rest of the URI student media members.
At this point it was about 10:00, so we grabbed a bite at the Hard Rock Cafe and made our way down to the national mall. The Washington monument, and the Lincoln Memorial were the top destinations of the trip, and we visited both of them. Then, back to the hotel, with Rhody playing in just12 hours.
Then, it was game day. This means a quick 14 minute walk down to the arena. This is where we entered into a packed media room in the Washington Wizards practice court, filled with reporters, broadcast journalists, and more. Preparations for the 4-game day at the arena were underway. Rhode Island was first on the agenda as they took on VCU in a rematch of last year's A10 finale. URI took care of business with a 76-67 victory.
The Rams then went on and defeated the St. Joe's Hawks 90-87 in an absolute thriller on Saturday. Then it was championship Sunday. Waking up and walking to the arena had a very special feel, a different feel from the prior days. Fresh off of some more adventuring and celebrating the night before, this day was one for all the marbles. URI did come up one point short, 58-57 in the loss to Davidson. As much as this stung for a good few hours, I came to realizing that this journey was very special, and the Selection Sunday viewing party at Bar Louie, and the confirmation of a round of 64 game against the OU Sooners.
This weekend has been something that not many people get to do and I am grateful for that. Now the crew from WRIU and the Good 5 Cent Cigar are in Pittsburgh ready for NCAA March Madness and fresh off a 83-78 victory against Oklahoma has us feeling great once again! It is a Rhode that few follow, but a Rhode worth following.
Jack O'Marra
Rhode Island Born and Bred
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