When the women’s basketball team arrived back on campus Saturday night, nearly 300 AU fans circled the turnaround by Kates Gymnasium to welcome them back and congratulate them on winning the national title.

A sea of purple and gold filled the area with the majority of the crowd proudly sporting their AU gear in support of the team. The team arrived back on campus at about 6 p.m.

Some people even created signs that featured sayings such as “We heart our Eagles” and “Champs.” Other signs were more personalized with specific players’ names and numbers on them. 

Besides signs, a few fans had purple and gold AU flags that they triumphantly waved through the air.  Some members of the crowd also held balloons and flowers for their special players.  A group of AU cheerleaders stood at the front of the sidewalk with their gold pom-poms providing additional spirit for the players’ return.     

While anxiously waiting for the bus to arrive, fans reflected upon the monumental achievement of winning a national championship and how proud they are of AU. 

Laura Moore, Debbie Wine, and Nancy Smith, who all work at Convo, were there in support of the Eagles. 

“We love the girls and the coach,” Moore said. “We see the girls every day, so they’re like our family.”

“They did so wonderful,” Wine said. 

Head AU Men’s and Women’s Track Coach Jud Logan commented on the success of the team and how the school and community rallied behind the Eagles.

“Around campus, there is great support of the team,” Logan said. “We have programs that pull for each other.”

When it was announced that the bus was only a few miles away, members of the crowd hurriedly searched for an open spot along the sidewalk and unpacked their cameras, prepared to capture the excitement and emotion of the moment. 

Escorted by two police cars flashing their lights, the charter bus slowly made its way around the turnaround as the crowd erupted with shouts and cheers. 

When the bus stopped, the players excitedly jumped out and lined up along the side of the bus.  They waved, laughed, smiled and shouted back at the enthusiastic crowd.  Many players wore their tournament t-shirts and hats that they received in San Antonio. 

Once all the players had lined up, coach Sue Ramsey addressed the fans and thanked them for their loyalty and support all season.  After one final round of applause, family and friends began hugging and congratulating the players for the success they achieved this season. 

 AU students Sydney Tenyak and Dianna Tenyak gathered at the turnaround waiting to see their sister Lindsay Tenyak, who is a senior on the team. They had recently returned from San Antonio where they had watched the Eagles play.

 “It was crazy how many Ashland people came to Texas,” sophomore Dianna Tenyak said.  She indicated that the refs even commented about Ashland’s strong fan base in San Antonio.

 “It was crazy how it wasn’t even close,” freshman Sydney Tenyak said.  “The seniors ended their basketball career in a good way.”

 Other AU supporters voiced their pride as well and discussed the significance of winning a title for the school. 

 “It was an amazing year,” AU fan Kathy Hiner said. “Not too many Division II schools can say that they got a national championship.”

Another Ashland fan, Dave Kindell, expressed similar sentiments. 

“I came to honor them and all the great things they have done. They played an outstanding game,” Kindell said.