WOW - WOW - WOW - WOW! That is quite simply the best way to describe not only how I feel personally, but also what it feels like to be a Bobcat fan during this emotionally charged time. What happened Saturday night at Bobcat Stadium was magical. The overtime victory over Sam Houston State capped a 9-2 regular season (a first at the I-AA level for Texas State), a share of the Southland Conference championship (also a first), and then about 18 hours later, we learned we had been selected to the I-AA playoffs (again…a first!). From the time our fans and players launched into the post-game victory celebration on the field to the roar in the Sac-N-Pac Room when our name was called as the no. 4 national seed on Sunday, I have savored every second of this. I am writing this late in the day on Monday, and the phones are still ringing, voicemail boxes throughout our department are still being checked, and the buzz surrounding the interest in Texas State football has engulfed our campus. Students, faculty and staff have adjusted holiday schedules, our residence life staff and campus caterer (Chartwell's) has agreed to re-open and accommodate our students who wish to return early from the break, and alumni from all over the state are making ticket reservations to get here for the game. So, with our first I-AA playoff game on our home field, an ESPN2 national audience tuning in, and a groundswell of support for the Bobcats, I have one simple message: BE AT BOBCAT STADIUM ON SATURDAY AFTERNOON! As I rejoiced in our selection on Sunday and began delegating responsibilities to my staff, I also hopped in my car with O.C. Haley, one of our incredibly loyal supporters, and headed up to Arlington to watch our volleyball team in the Southland Conference Tournament championship game. By about 5:45 on Sunday evening, I was in the middle of my second conference championship celebration in less than 24 hours, as we defeated UT-SA 3-0. The victory qualified us for our second NCAA Tournament appearance in as many seasons. Again, wow. Karen Chisum's group dominated play in their three tournament matches, winning 9 of 10 games, including the semi-final victory over SFA. The Lady Jacks were 19-0 during the regular season and were the favorites to win the tournament. We will be finalizing plans for a Sunday watch party in the Maroon and Gold at Strahan Coliseum to see where our ladies will be headed for NCAA Tournament play, which begins the weekend of December 2-3. The show begins at 1:30 p.m. on ESPN News, so join us at Strahan for that. As if football and volleyball don't give you enough to be excited about, let me tell you that our women's basketball team provided an exciting glimpse of the possibilities for an electric winter in Strahan Coliseum. With Saturday's 77-69 road win over Oklahoma State - yes, I said Oklahoma State - Suzanne Fox's group got off to a roaring start. What a terrific road win and confidence builder for our ladies. Be sure and make women's basketball part of your holiday plans this weekend in San Marcos as well. A complete CenturyTel Classic schedule is available here on the site. If you are a Texas State student (or, former student, for that matter), I implore you to do all in your power to not only get back for the game this weekend, but bring a friend - and make them bring a friend - and then knock on your neighbor's door - and make them bring a friend…well, you get the drift. Start your holiday weekend with basketball home games - the women face UT-Permian Basin on Tuesday at 7 p.m., while the men also face UT-Permian Basin on Wednesday at 7 p.m. See you all this week! Eat 'Em Up Cats!!!
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