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Retriever Fan MailFans from UMBC and beyond have written in to congratulate the team and compliment the team, pep band and UMBC students on their spirit and behavior at the America East games. “My wife and I just returned home from Binghamton and the America
East basketball tournament. I am an alumni of UVM and attend the tournament
when possible. We felt that we had to write and commend your players
and coaches for a wonderful experience. We met Jay Greene's family at
our hotel and although we rooted for UVM we were so happy for the Greenes
and your team. We had encountered the UMBC team a few years back when
we stayed at the same hotel... and were impressed with their demeanor
and grace. Congratulations to a wonderful organization; my wife loves
the band and the spirit which they bring to the tournament. I am a cancer
survivor, retired educator and coach who appreciates the standards that
your university sets. So thank you for a wonderful experience...Because
of my condition, it is often difficult to attend the tournament but when
I do, I find it one of the highlights of my year. Your team plays a great
brand of ball with sportsmanship and skill....thank you again...” “As always, the Down and Dirty Dawg Band was first rate this past
weekend.
On top of that, your students were their usual classy and friendly selves.
Special acknowledgements go out to Matt Basch, who is one of the most
gifted drummers I have ever heard, and Curt on the tuba, whose presence
was always obvious and appreciated. If this is their senior year, they
will both be missed up here. As disappointed as I was not to see Binghamton
advance, seeing UMBC get another title and knowing you guys are once
again a part of March Madness would be great to see. Enjoy the ride and
thanks again for making the atmosphere in the Events Center super during
your games this weekend. See you next year.” “I wish I could be there Saturday, but you can be sure I'll be
wearing my RAC in Black t-shirt and cheering on the Retrievers from Fort
Lauderdale. I may be the only person in Champps who wants to watch the
America East final, but I don't care -- I've waited a long time
for this. Only sorry I can't be there in person….While I've
always been proud to be a UMBC alum, I'm especially proud now. I've tried
to do my part over the years to make sure people know about the wonderful
things happening on campus -- academic, athletic and otherwise. Now I'm
leaving that mission in the capable hands of Randy Monroe and one hell
of a team. I know the RAC will be rockin' -- probably in a way it hasn't
since the old UMBC-Cheyney State games back in my era on Loop Road. I'll
do my part from 1,000 miles away! Please pass my congrats to Charlie,
Randy and the team -- and keep up the good work!” “It is early Sunday morning and I will be going to the semi-final
basketball game in a little while. I wanted to write this before we know
the outcome of today’s game. My son, one of the students
who helped organize the spirit trip to Binghamton, told me of your concern
about how the students would behave at the game. You should be
proud of your
students, your band, your cheer leaders and of course your team. They were
all spirited and well behaved. Even in the face of a couple of
particularly egregious calls against UMBC the chants of the students
were nothing more than Doggie Doo! Doggie Doo!” “A curious thing happened in the second game to decide who UMBC
would play in
Today’s game. The fans decided that they would rather face Vermont
than Binghamton, consequently they started cheering for Vermont. Vermont
did not have a band or a student support group that I could detect. There
was a significant contingent of adult Vermont supporters who seemed to
confuse watching basketball with watching the sap flow from their beloved
maple trees. The Vermont cheerleaders could not evoke a response. Then
some of your students tried to help the cheerleaders by going into
their section trying to inspire them (all done politely), but to no avail.
Then your students, the UMBC band, and the Vermont cheer leaders combined
to provide support for the Vermont team. At the end of the game,
when it became apparent that the Vermont team was going to win, the chants
returned to cheering for UMBC. Now that we got what we wished for,
let’s hope we are happy with what we got. Anyway, have a good day
and thank you for leading a school that is giving my son a good education.” “Although I will be in Italy with a group of UMBC students, my
heart will be here with all the Retrievers from the players to the pep
band, dancers, cheerleaders, Stacy, the dog, the fans, and all
the people in athletics who made this possible. It starts at the top.
Congratulations!”
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