Ashland University’s women’s basketball has officially made it to St. Joseph, Missouri, to compete as one of the best teams in the country. While some made the treacherous 12-hour trip, others stayed back in Ashland and rallied with one another to cheer on the Eagles.

Heading into the Elite Eight, the team sat with a 34-0 overall record and was placed as the No. 1 seed. Their first game came up against UT Tyler at the Civic Arena on March 20.

For the first game of the series fans gathered from all around the community to watch the Eagles compete. At Ashland University the campus held a watch party in the Student Center Auditorium.

President Carlos Campo asked the director of Student Activities Liz Keller to set up the campus event to help bring students together and support the team.

“The hope for this event was to create a sense of comradery among the community on campus,” said Keller.

Several students attended the watch party and had lots to say about the team’s impact on the campus and community this season.

“I came here to support my roommate who is on the team and all the other girls because they are just great people and amazing to watch,” said student-athlete Klaira Paramore.

While there are connections to the players on the team, other students who just enjoy watching the team play attended the party.

“I came because the team is fun to watch and they are really good at what they do,” said student-athlete William Rassat.

The students gathered together for pizza and cheered the team on from home as they performed in typical AU fashion, winning 81-72.

With the students holding their own watch party, other members of the community followed suit. Some members of the community gathered at O’Bryan’s Pub in Ashland, Ohio.

Former AU women’s basketball player Renee Holt attended the watch party at O’Bryan’s and was very excited to see her former team and coach compete. She was a member of the team from 2016 through 2020.

“I loved coach Picken’s competitiveness, she would play with us during practice and just brought a new level of competitiveness to us she was our ultimate competitor,” said Holt. “I just love the family atmosphere and sense of togetherness when I played, it was my home away from home.”

Many other community members were seen at the pub.

Marty Schmitz, a member of the community, was asked about why he attended the restaurant to watch the game.

“Well we have gone to most of the games this year, I remember watching Kari as a player and she was very competitive and fun to watch. The girls are really fun to watch and the fans are just as fun to be around,” said Schmitz.

Former mayor of Ashland, Glen Stewart, was also at the pub with his wife of 60 years, Judy Stewart. They have been following the team all season and gathered with the rest of the community to watch the game.

“I love that the team brings the community together and has great enthusiasm, you can just see the love of the game they have when they play,” said Judy. “As a known member of the community seeing the people come together, its something the community looks forward to, and as a parent, I love watching them because I know they are having fun.”

The Eagles will continue to the Final Four in Missouri on March 22nd to play the No. 5-ranked Glenville State Pioneers, the defending Division II National Champions.