There is a special connection between Greenwood residents and their local university, and that connection has proudly been on display for the last few weeks. Between social media posts, marquee signs, watch parties and more, Greenwood has shown out.
Lander University’s men’s basketball team played for the NCAA Division II National Championship for the first time ever and the community stood behind the Bearcats in a big way. Even though the Bearcats fell short in the championship, pride in the team continues beyond the game.
Many Greenwood residents and Lander employees traveled across states to watch the Bearcats play in the championship game in Indianapolis, cheering for the “Men in Blue” from the stands. Greenwood County Sheriff Dennis Kelly even rode a motorcycle flying the Lander flag all the way to Indianapolis. Meanwhile, Greenwood Mayor Brandon Smith cheered right alongside Lander students and alumni inside Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
It wasn’t just current Greenwood residents who made the trip—one Greenwood native living in Chicago even made the trip to Indianapolis to cheer for the Bearcats.
Back home, multiple establishments held watch parties around town.
One was Sports Break Grill and Bar, where general manager Stephen Harrington said there was a great turnout of people to watch the game.
“We’re little ol’ Greenwood, man, we made national television yesterday,” he said.
“These guys should be proud that they made it as far as they did. I hate the game ended the way that it did and it wasn’t any closer, but they still need to be proud of what they accomplished this season and I don’t think they’re done. I think they’ll be back next year and hopefully make another run at it.”
He said it was nice to see alumni and regular customers rally around watching the game.
“We had people that were here pulling for the Bearcats, so it was awesome to watch.”
Along with game day events, in the days leading up to the game, businesses, nonprofits and local government agencies made social media posts and supported Lander at on-campus events, spreading blue and gold across the city. And, in Columbia, state senators and representatives cheered for the Bearcats in their respective chambers, led by Greenwood Senator Billy Garrett (himself a Lander alumnus) and Representative John McCravy.
Men’s basketball head coach Omar Wattad said the support at Lander from administration down to students pushed the team in a “major way.” He echoed that the support has been felt from the community and local businesses.
“Greenwood’s really been supportive,” Wattad said.