Providence Friars men's basketball team gets note of congratulations from Taylor Swift

Count Taylor Swift among the many fans of the Providence College men's basketball team. 

The pop superstar who owns a house in Watch Hill may not have watched the team in person this season — as far as we know — but her 2008 hit, "You Belong With Me," was regularly in attendance at the Dunkin' Donuts Center last season. The song became a fan favorite at home games and helped inspire the Friars to a 27-6 record and play deep into the NCAA Tournament.

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On Tuesday, the Friars players were surprised with a note of congratulations on their historic season.

“Hi Friars! What an amazing 2022 season! Congratulations to you all on your incredible and inspiring success,” the note stated. “Sending you all hugs!” Along with the note were "Class of 22" T-shirts, which Nate Watson, Justin Minaya and Al Durham, donned in a photo on Durham's Twitter feed, with the headline, "@taylorswift13 we appreciate it look forward seeing you at the dunk!!"

"They were excited. They really were," Providence College spokesman Arthur Parks said of the players getting the note from Swift.

Parks explained that Swift's fan club — Taylor Nation — had reached out to the program during NCAA tournament, saying they wanted to send something for the team's great season. But with the team's schedule being what it was, by the time the letter had arrived, much of the team had dispersed.

On Monday, the program held a party for season-ticket holders, and many of the players had returned. It was then that the letter of congratulations was presented, Parks said.

"It was a nice part of wonderful season that no one expected," he said.

Providence's season was truly one for the books, as the team won its first Big East regular-season championship, and secured wins against South Dakota State and Richmond in the NCAA Tournament before falling to eventual national champion Kansas in the Sweet 16 — the first time in 25 years that Providence had reached that round.

Head coach Ed Cooley was named both the Big East and Naismith College Coach of the Year, and also took home national honors from The Sporting News and The Field of 68. He recorded a 300th career win — his 200th win at Providence and 100th league win along the way.

This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Taylor Swift congratulates Providence Friars on historic season