Binghamton is Dancing for the First Time

Here’s another one of those cool stories about a team getting invited to the Big Dance for the first time.

It’s great to watch all those long-suffering players, coaches, students, fans and alum rush the court after knowing they will play with the big boys for a day or two for the first time. Tears of joy all around from the fans, to the players and the coaches.

That’s what it was like today for the Binghamton Bearcats as they defeated defending conference tournament champs, the University of Maryland, Baltimore County 61-51 for the American East Conference title.

The Bearcats (23-8) have won 11 straight and the 23 wins is a school record since joining Division I in the 2001-2002 season. It was also the first championship of any kind in the school’s 63-year history.

According to a story on ESPN.com, Binghamton The Bearcats were ripped in a recent story in the New York Times that criticized the school administration and coach Kevin Broadus, the conference Coach of the Year for his recruiting.

Come on! Who pays attention to the New York Times these days? The paper is on the verge of bankruptcy and the Sunday edition costs more than its stock.

Now the joke’s on the Times and everyone who has come down on the Bearcats, Broadus and the rest of this small school in New York State.

Congratulations on the win. And here’s hoping that your first trip to the Big Dance provides you with some memories that will last a lifetime!