Great post Medler, as I indicated in this previous thread we all have memories of OU sports that we would rather forget, but it just makes us appreciate this all the more.
http://www.bobcatattack.com/messageboard/topic.asp?FromPage=3&ForumPID=1&PID=63335
Those schools who who consider it a tragedy if their school hasn't made it to the Sweet 16 in the last ten years don't realize that the last time the bobcats were there, most people on this board weren't born. All of this makes us stronger, dedicated and joyful fans. We need to soak in this week and perhaps sing, to young Bobcat fans, a few bars of the old Ringo Starr song, "It Don't Come Easy." I never forget watching the MAC tournament nearly twenty years ago with a bunch of Bobcats in Washington DC and we were mocked by some ACC alums for getting all fired up about the chance of actually going to the Big Dance. They can never know the joy we are feeling right now!
I certainly hope this is the Genesis of a golden age in OU sports. Let's be honest, it shouldn't be this way but athletics does raise the profile of a school, especially in other parts of the country. I can't remember what small East Coast school it was, but some school that made it into the torunament a few years ago experienced a three fold increase in applications for next few years following their tournament appearance. It shouldn't be that way, but it is. Now obviously our university has several national and internationally known academic strongpoints, but every little bit of positive publicity helps in the long run (and probably does wonders for fundraising too!)