Issue: SDSU women’s basketball is going to the Final Four in the Women’s National Invitational Tournament. 

Every March is the beginning of postseason basketball on college campuses across the country. These large-scale tournaments act as a catalyst of school pride across the college campuses participating in them. The spotlight has been on SDSU’s men’s team for the past number of years, and this year, it’s finally shining on the women. 

While the women’s team has successfully participated in the Summit League Tournament in the past, earning five straight championships and advancing to the NCAA Tournament in each of those years, the SDSU women have never made it this far along in a college tournament at the Division I level. Even after a loss in their first game at the Summit League Tournament, they have since won four games in the WNIT. 

It is impressive that it is now into April, and women’s basketball is still playing. The same cannot be said for the USD women’s team that beat SDSU in the Summit League Tournament. 

For the last four games, SDSU has won the bid to play at home in the Frost Arena. A major influence on the decision of where the teams will play in the tournament is ticket sales. Due to our large fan-base for basketball games, both for the men and the women’s teams, we have had the opportunity to draw a great number of people to Brookings to watch the women play these nationwide NCAA games. Not only is this good for our school recognition, but it is also good for the community of Brookings.

Aaron Johnston, the women’s basketball head coach, has led the team successfully this far into the tournament and through this season overall. He is a veteran coach, who has been working here at SDSU since 2000. 

Collegiate athletics are one of the many fulcrums in contemporary higher education. There are a lot of moving gears in sports and they make a name for a particular university if they have a strong program. Sporting events also bring students together and show the campus unity to see the Jacks win. 

To have such skilled, dedicated athletes team up together, and to work hard to go this far in a tournament speaks volumes not only about SDSU, but also these athletes themselves. It’s important for a campus to remain united at all times and sports give us something we all can enjoy, watch and cheer for. It is always a great day for a jackrabbit win.

These games create moments and memories that will last, not only for students but also for that staff and athletes across campus. Having a great basketball team means that people will want to watch, especially during the month of March, and having people watch brings awareness to SDSU and creates a greater community. Community is always something a college campus needs, and popularity with sports, among other factors, does that here at SDSU. It is great to see the campus come together to support the Jackrabbits on their run for the WNIT championship.

 Stance: The success of our women’s basketball team is great for the spirit on campus, as well as the national recognition of SDSU. Having something to support, especially in sports, shines a bright light on our school, and opens up more chances for community in Brookings.