Although many students had already left campus for Easter break, Buffalo Wild Wings was packed with Ashland community members cheering on the Eagles as the team became national champions Friday night.    

“They’re very exciting,” Don Bowman said, who was enjoying the game from BW3’s.

Bowman is a resident of Ashland and a graduate of AU.  He has been following the team all season and is proud that they advanced and were playing for a national title.

Bowman discussed the ability of the Eagles to bounce back from adversity throughout the season.

“They look like they want this one,” Bowman said as he saw the players warm up during pre-game on the wide screen TV at the restaurant. 

Recent AU alum Liz Patrick was also at BW3’s with her family watching Ashland compete for a national title. 

“We love women’s basketball!” they said.

Liz played soccer while at AU and had classes with some of the players on the current team when she was in school. 

They thought it would be a great idea enjoying the game at BW3’s with other fans and experience the atmosphere and thrill of the Eagles playing in the championship.

“It’s exciting to be here with all the screaming and yelling,” her dad said.

Other people expressed these same sentiments and enjoyed cheering on the Eagles with their family.

Ashland resident Elizabeth Webb was there with her family.  They are all avid AU fans and have been following the Eagles this season. They are also close friends with coach Sue Ramsey and wanted to show their support for her and the players.

Overall, they were impressed with how well Ashland played as a team and how the players care about one another.

“They just play together all time,” Webb said. “It’s all for each other.”

The Latham family—Bill, Barb, Jennifer, and Matthew—agreed about the talent on the team.

“They’re all very good,” Jennifer Latham said. She said the Eagles were a fun team to see play and has been keeping track of the team’s success throughout the season.

Bill Latham has even attended some of the games this year, giving his family updates about team when they cannot attend.  He has been following AU the last three or four years.

Matthew Latham commented on the importance of the Eagles recent success for the city as a whole.

“We came out to support the AU girls,” Matthew Latham said. “It’s good for the community.”