As a sophomore at Washington and Lee University, I knew of three certainties in life: death, taxes, and a lot of empty seats at campus sporting events.
But all that changed on March 6 of this year.
For me, the day started like any other Friday, with class during the day and a planned fraternity event during the evening. I knew the No. 1 seed women’s basketball team was hosting an NCAA tournament game, but with the 8 p.m. tip off, I wasn’t sure if I could make it.
Fortunately, one of my friends persuaded me to accompany him, so we left our off-campus house and found ourselves walking into Holekamp Gym around 7:40 p.m. As I ascended the steps on the parking deck side of the gym, my jaw dropped as I saw students pouring into the ticket line through the glass doors.
After braving sensory overload and somehow finding a seat in a sea of blue T-shirts, I began to look around to take it all in. When the ball was tipped and the crowd roared, three words popped into my head: This. Is. Awesome.
In the bleachers, I saw people that I hadn’t seen since my time in Gaines, I heard chants that I hadn’t heard since high school. It was something that I never thought I would see at Washington and Lee.
And the Generals didn’t disappoint. They dominated St. Mary’s 73-44, to the point that trash talk felt cruel. Twenty-four hours later, the team took care of business against Christopher Newport University and advanced to the Sweet Sixteen.
Following these victories, Washington and Lee students had a week to digest the most anticipated sporting event in the history of Rockbridge county — at least according to my intuition.
Part of the anticipation came from the sheer surprise at how much interest the women’s basketball team had generated.
“I was shocked at how many people wanted to show up and support the women’s basketball team and how many people knew that it was going on,” said Elizabeth Zimmerman, ’28. “I know for other sports, not that many people know when their games are. But the fact that students, faculty and community members all came out to support was awesome.”
“I had never seen Holekamp that packed before,” said Ishaan Bhadouria, ’27, a player on the men’s basketball team.
During the days between the second and third games of the tournament, everyone could feel a difference on campus.
“I could definitely feel the excitement, especially online, Instagram and Fizz. I was hearing more about the basketball team and their opponents than ever before,” said Will Wright, ’28.
Casey Arkoette, ’28, agreed. “I could feel excitement, especially with all the women’s basketball shirts. It seemed like there was an air of anticipation.”
When Friday rolled around, students mobbed the Richard L. Duchossois Athletic and Recreation Center.
The Sweet Sixteen matchup exceeded its high expectations. The Generals overcame a 10-point first-half deficit to beat the Bethel Royals in an all-time classic.
Stoked by an incendiary comment by the Royals’ coach, students yelled passionately and made life miserable for every player and coach in navy blue.
The next day, Holekamp was packed again for the Generals’ Elite Eight matchup against Denison. Despite the game taking place during Saturday night parties, it might have been the rowdiest game yet.
Forced to sit in the Denison section during the first half, I heard an opposing fan describe the Generals’ shooting as “trash” among other insults. On the other hand, Washington and Lee students took a more sophisticated approach — I even heard that one Washington and Lee student asked the Denison coach on a date.
After falling behind early, the Generals slowly chipped away at the Denison lead and tied the game in the third quarter. The crowd went wild. The game was up in the air until the final few minutes when Denison took control. While the Generals’ run came to an end, the impact of the past two weekends still remains.
“I think [the games] brought everyone together, increased school spirit and brought awareness to sports, specifically women’s sports, to our school,” said Zimmerman.
The games “gave us all something to talk about and rally around,” Arkoette said. “It gave students and their friends another place to hang out together.”
“I think it made everyone closer together, and it made people want to support all for one goal,” Bhadouria added. “School spirit was through the roof!”
“I really enjoyed how packed it was,” said Jack Clayton, ’28. “I think that supporting the women’s basketball team on a stage like that was super cool, and it was fun to see the gym that packed.” Clayton said he hopes the momentum can carry over to football season.
For students like Bhadouria, Clayton and Zimmerman, these games show the potential of what Washington and Lee athletics can be. Sure, the stars aligned in many ways — including 31 victories and having Mary Schleusner, ’26, the top player in Division II — but the community’s support wasn’t based entirely on the team’s excellence.
Much of what made the weekend so special is repeatable. The school can continue to promote athletics, distribute T-shirts for teams that host NCAA tournament games and rally student support. Whether it is an event for the football team, a fraternity or a sorority, all of these things are repeatable. But it is up to the student body to show up and student organizations to support each other.
For example, the entire football team came to the games. Maybe other teams and student organizations should follow their lead and come to football games.
Hopefully the Washington and Lee community will continue to carry this momentum into future competitions, because it made the university a better and more unified place. To the women’s basketball team, thank you for showing us what is possible.
