by Cary Johnston for the April 3, 2008, Around Davidson column 

An excited group of alumni and friends of Davidson College boarded a Broach Sports Tour bus for the long ride to Detroit on Thursday afternoon at 4:30 PM. Spotted aboard were Patty King, Jon Regen, Cary Johnston and DG Martin all carrying pillows, snacks, blankets, reading material and heavy coats leaving 70 plus temperatures and heading into 5 inches of snow in Detroit. The first stop was for supper at a Cracker Barrel in WV headed on to Parkersburg, WV where the group spent the night and eagerly awaited Friday’s contest against Wisconsin. Since the bus was equipped with satellite TV, the group was entertained by watching one sports caster after another on ESPN predict that Wisconsin with height, bulk, and superior play would demolish the tiny team no one ever heard of. Three different versions of “Sweet Caroline” played on board added to the excitement.

An early morning start found the group finally checked in at The Hampton Inn in Toledo, an hour away from the stadium, and soon heading for a sports bar near the Detroit Arena. It was quickly discovered that the chosen bar was packed with Davidson fans to the extent that getting inside was very difficult and leaving was even harder. Most of the group quickly made its way to the huge arena and bought over priced hot dogs, pizza, popcorn, peanuts and soft drinks (No beer sold at NCAA sponsored events!) before making its way to excellent side court seats. Surrounded by students in colorful costumes of red and black, various stages of dress and undress, carrying prohibited banners, covered with body paint and displaying clever signs, the older crowd sat down to listen to the band, watch the cheer leaders, view the team go through warm ups, and smugly agree with each other that Davidson fans out numbered those from, Kansas, Villanova, and Wisconsin in about three to one. That was the last “sitting” the group was to experience. From then on it was stand up and scream “Let’s Go, Cats” or “Defense” or “Stephan Curry”, “Bob McKillop” or whatever seemed appropriate at the moment. Older folks took advantage of time outs to sit and and rest, but the students never did. They stood and cheered the entire time often bobbing up and down as they did so. Such enthusiasm was not seen among any of the other three groups of fans present during either the first or second game.

And then to win! Not just to win but to win by 17 points over the favored Badgers! After watching Kansas demolish Villanova, the group had great satisfaction in reboarding the bus and hearing the sports writers who earlier predicted our demise extol our players, our coaches and our fans. The Kansas coach was interviewed after soundly beating Villanova and commenting on the Davidson victory said, “I’ve watched Wisconsin play all year. They’re a great team! NOBODY beats Wisconsin by 17 points!” No doubt he spent the next 48 hours watching films of Davidson.

The tour company had probably not expected Davidson to win, so nothing had been planned for Saturday. Most of the travelers were content to read, play card games, watch basketball on TV, knit (Patty), visit family (Cary), or nap (everybody). Sunday afternoon came soon enough and the group assembled courtside again. Those who had voices left chanted and screamed and all pounded on the seats in front of them. This action when performed by a large number of people sounded like an army marching with drums! The arena rocked! Davidson fans stood throughout with numbers now enlarged by reinforcements from home. Kansas blue was out numbered by Davidson red about four to one, and all the local Michigan folks joined us in cheering. One of the most amusing hand made signs carried by a student who ran up and down beside the Kansas fans read, “I know where Davidson is, but where is Kansas???” Even some of the Kansas supporters laughed at that one! Alas, victory was not to be, but every fan left with a feeling of overwhelming pride that David almost slew Goliath and with the realization that McKillop, Richards, Curry, Barr, Sander, Lovedale, Gosselin, and the rest had given their all.

An all night ride home awaited the group which pulled into the Baker parking lot at 9:15 Monday morning. The adventure had come to an end, but everyone agreed how glad they were to have been part of it.