Raising Hell: From the desk of Nathan Hellman

We’re the champs. The best. Number one. Head honchos of the Big Sky. The finest. Top dogs. Cream of the crop.

For the first time ever Portland State can utter those words without any ifs, ands or buts. That’s because there is no question. It’s the truth. There’s nothing else to prove. And nobody can doubt it. The Big Sky title and a berth in the NCAA Tournament belongs to the Vikings.

And it should feel spectacular for all Portland State fans. When the students rushed the floor following the final buzzer, jumping around with the players at center court and soaking up the moment, it was magical, surreal and even unbelievable.

Who would have ever thought–a championship and NCAA berth at Portland State? That would have sounded like a pipe dream a couple years ago. Heck, who are we kidding?

Making that statement would have landed someone in an insane asylum less than two weeks ago, or even earlier this week. And that is rightfully so, because it’s been well publicized that Portland State has endured a losing tradition.

But this all changed Wednesday night. The Blazers pinwheel logo at the center of the Rose Garden floor became the official Portland State doormat, where fans and players alike wiped, and beat, that vicious losing spirit off of their shoes.

They exterminated it. It’s gone. The losing, sneering at the program and underestimating of Portland State has vanished. The Vikings were legitimized as soon as head coach Ken Bone and co. touched the Big Sky Championship trophy.

“It puts us on the map,” said athletic director Torre Chisholm. “It shows that athletically Portland State is starting to mature.”

Bone will be praised for the victory. And senior guard Deonte Huff and junior guard Jeremiah Dominguez will receive the pats on the back they deserve for a job well done. But this victory is for the Viking fans, no matter how many or few of them there are.

When you are walking to grab a bite to eat today or driving to campus for class this afternoon, let this thought cross your mind: We’re headed to the NCAA Tournament. Portland State is part of March Madness.

It’s an exciting notion. It’s a thrill-inducing thought. It’s a chilling reality.

And that’s the beauty: it’s a reality. Things are finally coming together in the South Park Blocks. While it might be easy to look ahead to predict how many conference championships this team may have in five, six or seven years, it is not advisable.

Let this victory really set in for a minute. Let the mentions of “Portland State is headed to the Big Dance,” on Sports Center resonate. Let chants of “Go Viks” and “Let’s go Vikings,” that reverberated around the Rose Garden Wednesday night ruminate before the feeling disappears forever.

Just like Dominguez, we’re a society that prides itself on moving quickly. We want to travel from Point A to Point B, without taking a break to check out what’s cooking at point PSU.

And, for anyone who’s interested, there’s a lot happening. It’s an exhilarating time at PSU, and Viking fans are caught right in the middle of all the action.

Stop and enjoy the history, because it only happens occasionally. Right now, there is plenty of history surrounding this Portland State team. The Vikings have 23 victories. Played in and won their first Big Sky Championship. And Portland State is headed to the school’s first NCAA Tournament.

You’re probably thinking of playing Georgetown, Kansas or Duke in the opening round. You’re probably envisioning what it would look like to see the green and white Portland State jerseys on CBS. You’re probably considering the Vikings’ chances of pulling off a colossal upset.

But I just have one word for you: stop.

Try it, and you’ll realize all excitement and enjoyment you desire from seeing the Vikings on the big stage is already brewing in the South Park Blocks. You just have to stop and look for it.