Fans of the Augustana Vikings traveled hundreds of miles to support the Men’s Basketball Team on their trip to the Final Four. After defeating the Babson Beavers in the Semi-Final on Friday, March 20th, Augie went up against the Stevens-Point Pointers from Wisconsin.
Despite the Vikings’ loss to the Pointers on Saturday, March 21st, the fans proudly wore their blue and gold all the way to the end.
“You watch the intensity with what these guys play, with the spirit, and you know they never give up. They never get down,” said NFL legend and 1971 Augustana Alum, Ken Anderson, who also played Vikings Basketball for his first three years at Augie.
Eric Rowell, an Augustana Graduate who also played Vikings Basketball was also at the games.
“I think a lot of folks have at the beginning of the season has championship goals, but only two teams are actually going to try to play for one when they get to the end,” Rowell said. "So a lot of hard work and determination and a little bit of luck has to go into that as well."
Rowell was part of the last Augustana Team that made it to the Final Four in 1993. The Vikings took 2nd Place that year as well.
"It wasn't necessarily a dream come true, because I don't know that when we started out if we had anticipations of getting that far, so it was sort of a whirlwind that experience so when we got there we were extremely excited."
Alum like Rowell say this weekend was about more than just the games. It put Augustana on the map.
"Augustana College is extremely important to Rock Island, Illinois, but also to the Midwest as well and now we're on a national stage so having an opportunity to show not only we're a great academic school, but we're also a great athletic school and also a school where you can showcase your talents."