It’s easy to ignore sports at Portland State. The Vikings teams, the events and the fans have long been, and continue to be, an undercurrent at this school.
Even now, as players from the men’s basketball team walk the halls of Smith with pride after landing a berth to the NCAA Tournament, many students have little idea of their victory or their record-breaking season.
But this team deserves recognition. They’ve done what few other athletes at PSU could accomplish. And as they head into March Madness, they bring to PSU a certain national recognition that rarely, if ever, graces our halls.
The eruption of Vikingism we saw after Wednesday night’s victory may have been short-lived, as Portland State students and fans resume work, school and life. But with this season, the men’s basketball team has ushered in a new era of sports at Portland State.
As they head to the NCAA Tournament to compete against the nation’s best teams, this Vikings basketball team must remember that they are among the elite in the nation. And if not the best ever, they certainly are among the most talented athletes to study at Portland State.
For entertainment, for recognition and for renewing our love of the game, we thank them.