Lander University’s run to the NCAA Division II Men’s Basketball Championship has left an unmistakable mark on campus -- a surge of pride that continues to ripple through the Bearcat community. In classrooms, residence halls and gathering spaces across campus, students are reflecting on a season that brought them together and elevated school spirit to new heights.
Many students say the team’s journey has been nothing short of inspiring. They point to the players’ resilience and unselfish style of play as qualities that mirror the very best of the Lander experience. For others, the national spotlight offered something just as meaningful: a chance to see the University they love recognized on a larger stage.
Braylon Barbour, a senior business major, traveled to Indianapolis, Indiana, with the student convoy to support the team. “Being part of this season as a student has meant so much to me because it’s not often you get to see your school make it all the way to the national championship,” he said. “The excitement around campus was unreal, and it really brought everyone together in a special way.”
An assistant to the basketball team last summer and fall, Barbour said he felt a strong sense of pride being part of a community that supported the team so passionately. “Getting to cheer on the team at the National Championship was an unforgettable experience. The atmosphere was electric, and being surrounded by so many fans made it even more exciting and meaningful.”
Team Inspires Success
As he watched the game at a Lander watch party, Lander junior James Docherty said he enjoyed seeing team members – many of whom he sees regularly on campus and at basketball games – on national TV. “This is what you see with professional athletes,” he said. “It’s quite exciting to see our team in the same arena.”
A member of the Lander men’s soccer team, Docherty, of London, England, said the University’s athletes “are here to support each other. We’re a family.”
Archie Farquhar said the basketball players’ success is a motivating force for others.
“It’s inspiring to see people who are in your classes achieve their goals,” said Farquhar, a junior from Manchester, England, who also is on the Lander soccer team. “It’s inspiring for us to see a team from our university in the national championship game. Everyone is so proud of them. There’s a really good feeling around campus because of what they have achieved.”
Beyond the Scoreboard
Olivia Carbone, a junior from York, described the team’s trip to the National Championship as “just really awesome… it’s so cool that we are able to have the spotlight on our campus because of our basketball team.”
Carbone, who writes for Lander’s student newspaper, The Forum, had the opportunity to interview some of the basketball team players during a media availability last week. “I’m so proud of the team,” she said. “I can’t imagine the pressure of playing in the games and pushing through to get to the championship.”
She’s looking forward to the team’s future. “Next year is going to be crazy.”
For Barbour, the campus spirit generated by the pride that students have is not fleeting. It is part of their story and the University’s future. “Lander making it all the way to the National Championship honestly means a lot more than just sports,” Barbour said. “Even people who don’t usually watch games start paying attention, and it gives everyone something to get excited about together.”
That energy, Barbour said, will be found in “more school spirit, more people talking about Lander and just a better overall vibe on campus. It just makes college life a lot more exciting, especially for me since I graduate in May.”
He sees the team’s success as a win for the University. “Going that far puts Lander on the map and gets people who might’ve never heard of it to start noticing,” Barbour noted. “That can lead to more students wanting to apply, more support from alumni and donors and just a stronger reputation overall. It shows that the University can compete at a high level, which reflects well on everything else too.”
And, in the end, “it’s not just about winning games, Lander’s championship game boosts pride, brings people together and gives the whole University more recognition,” Barbour said.
Lander’s team returned home Monday night to the cheers of students, faculty, staff and alumni, who welcomed them with support and gratitude. The support is recognition that greatness isn’t measured in numbers on a scoreboard or the outcome of a season.
It lives in the effort that no one sees, the belief that holds a team together and the pride that carries far beyond a single moment. It’s found in the way players represent their university, the way a campus rallies behind them and the way a community feels inspired by what they’ve built together. In those ways, greatness endures -- long after the final buzzer sounds.