Colonials Celebrate NCAA Tournament Berth

By James Irwin

A tired smile, the kind that comes when a sliver of good news brightens a tough experience, stretched across Mike Lonergan’s face Saturday night inside the basement-level interview room of Brooklyn’s Barclays Center. The George Washington University had just been eliminated by Virginia Commonwealth in the semifinal round of the Atlantic 10 tournament, and yet the Colonials’ season, Mr. Lonergan was reminded, wasn’t over yet.

“I told the guys before the game, if we win we had to prepare for Sunday; if we lose, I’m going to be miserable for a few hours, and then I’ll wake up tomorrow, and it will be a great day in my life,” Mr. Lonergan said. “We’re getting into the tournament—unless, you know, everybody’s wrong.”

It turns out "everybody" wasn't wrong: The Colonials still have basketball left to play. They just had to wait a day to learn the details.

GW secured an at-large berth to the NCAA tournament Sunday evening, and celebrated its bid at the Charles E. Smith Center in front of its fans.

“I’m just happy for GW,” Mr. Lonergan said. “This program has great tradition and history, and I’m glad we have something to show for our hard work. We’re really happy for our fans, the dance team, cheerleaders, the band. We have a lot of support.”

Mr. Lonergan’s smile Sunday was much bigger than the one Saturday night. The third-year GW coach, who has taken the Colonials from 10 wins in his first season to 24 this year, said he and his players are ready for the next phase of the season.

“It’s been a long time coming,” he said. “Our fans and students stuck with us through some tough times, and we have a great opportunity ahead of us.”

GW head coach Mike Lonergan leads his players into the club room prior to Sunday's selection show.

Isaiah Armwood greets a young fan.

The GW band entertains the crowd.

Patrick Nero, director of athletics and recreation, delivers welcoming remarks.

Lonergan addresses the crowd prior to the selection show. "We're really happy for our fans, the dance team, cheerleaders, the band. We have a lot of support," he said.

The GW cheerleaders entertain the crowd.

The GW dance team entertains the crowd.

A full GW spirit squad, including cheerleaders, dance team and band, was on hand to entertain the crowd.

Lonergan and sophomore forward Patricio Garino, left, relax for a bit during a commercial break.

The Colonials, with their fans behind them, wait for word of their NCAA berth.

GW had to wait for 54 other teams to be announced before learning its seed.

The Colonials joke around during a commercial break.

After nearly 30 minutes of waiting, the Colonials were informed of their NCAA draw: a Friday game in Raleigh, N.C., against Memphis.

The Colonials jumped out of their seats when they were announced.

The Colonials celebrate their NCAA berth. "This program has great tradition and history, and I'm glad we have something to show for our hard work," Mr. Lonergan said. "Our players worked hard, and they bought in."

More than a dozen media outlets covered GW's selection.

A smiling Maurice Creek fields questions following the selection show.

Though the announcement was expected, it was an emotional moment for the Colonials, who lost 21 games two seasons ago. "This has been a long time coming," Lonergan said.

A full GW spirit squad, including cheerleaders, dance team and band, was on hand to entertain the crowd.

GW qualified as a No. 9 seed. The Colonials, making their first NCAA trip since 2007, play Memphis on Friday in Raleigh, N.C.

A crowd that filled the Smith Center’s Colonial Club celebrated GW's NCAA bid. For many, it was an opportunity to celebrate the entire season.

“This event tonight is a blast," said season-ticket holder Mike Herczfeld, B.A. ’04, M.A. ’07. "All year we’ve been so excited to watch this team. And to hear them call GW’s name again on Selection Sunday for the first time since ’07, I couldn’t miss it.”

Many students, like sophomore Julia Tesoro, the events director for the Colonial Army, started making travel plans the second the Colonials appeared on the tournament bracket.

“I’m definitely going no matter what,” she said. “We’re so happy we’re close; we’ll be able to get more fans there. This is great.”

Ms. Tesoro, who was in Mexico over spring break last week, flew back late Thursday night to help set up Sunday’s event.

“We’ve been hard at work today,” she said. “It’s well worth it to be here for this.”

As for the players, many are making their first NCAA appearance. Veterans Maurice Creek and Isaiah Armwood, both transfers, have played a handful of minutes in the tournament. The rest are in it for the first time.

“It’s a new experience for a lot of us,” sophomore forward Patricio Garino said. “I’m sure we’ll learn a lot. We’re going to leave everything on the court.”