History in the Making

By Jim Gazzolo

Just as McNeese pulled off the first big upset in this year’s NCAA Tournament, Will Wade raced across the floor, looking for somebody to hug. He wanted to celebrate on Thursday in Providence, Rhode Island and he found plenty of takers.

First, he leaped into the arms of McNeese Athletic Director Heath Schroyer, then school President Dr. Wade Rousse. After brushing his way past the media table, he went into the Cowboy section, where fans all took their turn. 

The party, 52 seasons in the making, was on.

“This is just amazing,” Wade shouted. “We did it.”

The Cowboys stunned college basketball with a 69-67 victory over Clemson inside Amica Mutual Pavilion. They took center stage on the biggest of stages. 

It’s the first time in program history McNeese has won a tournament game. Three previous tries ended quickly. 

“This feels great,” said guard Quadir Copeland. “This is why I came here, for this moment. I wanted to have a chance to play in March Madness.”

The response to the victory was so great that McNeese’s website was broken. Fans nationwide wanted to learn more about the school.

“Biggest day in our school’s history,” said McNeese President Dr. Wade Rousse. “One of them, for sure.”

Rousse is more concerned about getting students to the university than winning games, and he knows what exposure like this can do.

“I want that marginal student from Jennings to take a look at us no matter what attracts them,” Rousse has said. “That way, maybe somebody who isn’t interested in school very much becomes interested. We want to change lives, and if winning basketball helps, I’ll use it.”

Wade knows it’s about way more than basketball.

“This is just huge for our school,” said Wade. “Enrollment is up three percent; applications are up 10 percent. Our stuff is going to go through the roof.”

Saturday, the Cowboys will kick off the second round on CBS at 11:10 am Lake Charles time. 

“To be able to be in this spot is amazing,” said Copeland. “We aren’t done yet. We want to keep winning.”

The Cowboys came out swinging against Clemson, the 12th ranked team in the country. They led 31-13 at halftime and by 24 in the second half. Only a late Tiger rally made this look even close.

“We had a strong mindset from the start,” said senior Brandon Murray, who led the Cowboys with 21 points. “We threw the first punch, and they didn’t handle it.”

Copeland added 16 points, while Christian Shumate picked up the 40th double-double of his career, scoring 13 points and grabbing 11 rebounds. Sincere Parker added 12 for the winners.

McNeese (28-6) will now face Purdue, which finished as the national runner-up last season. The Boilermakers (23-11) are ranked 22nd in the country. 

The Cowboys' win over Clemson was the first time in history that they Had beaten a top-25 team or one from the Atlantic Coast Conference. 

“This still feels like a dream,” said Shumate.

For now, the dream lives.

Jim Gazzolo is a freelance writer who covers McNeese athletics. He is the host of Poke Nation on CBS-Lake Charles.