From the editor: Fayetteville State basketball might make a sports fan out of me yet
I'm not what you’d call a sports fan. It’s just not my thing.
Because of that, my exposure to Fayetteville athletics has been, to put it mildly, limited. I’ve caught a Woodpeckers game or two, but even then, I spent more time talking it up at Healey’s than I did watching the game (my loss).
Last week, I learned I was missing out. I really should’ve been paying attention.
I had the opportunity to go with our sports crew — editor Monica Holland and reporter James Moore — to Baltimore as they covered the Fayetteville State University men’s and women’s basketball teams in the CIAA tournament at CFG Bank Arena.
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We weren't alone. Bronco fans — including alumni, current students, family members and FSU Chancellor Darrell T. Allison — were out in full force to support the two teams. It felt like a homecoming and made for a celebratory atmosphere in the arena.
I had a blast, and — this is the crazy part — I actually watched the games. The Broncos are so much fun to watch, even for this sports novice. Did I always know what I was watching? Absolutely not. But I know getting a ball in the basket is good, and both teams did plenty of that.
Go Broncos
The men’s and women’s teams won their semifinal games Friday night to advance to the championship the following day, and let me tell you, I was invested at that point.
I was thrilled for the Lady Broncos when they were victorious over the defending champions, Elizabeth City State University.
And I was heartbroken for the men who came so close to the championship and fell to Pennsylvania's Lincoln University.
Regardless of the outcome, both teams did FSU — and this city — proud. I’m grateful I was there to see them in action.
I’ll have to keep paying attention. Maybe they’ll make a sports fan of me yet.
Go Broncos!
News Director Beth Hutson can be reached at bhutson@fayobserver.com or 910-486-3533.
This article originally appeared on The Fayetteville Observer: Fayetteville State University basketball thrills at CIAA tournament
