I graduated from Davidson in 2005 and I now teach 7th through 9th grade math at the Greenwich Country Day School in Connecticut. Today was our first day back from a two week Spring Break. I am not exaggerating when I tell you that these kids, tanned and tired from their extravagant weeks in Antigua, the Dominican Republic, Paris, Cabo San Lucas, London, and Aspen, took the time last night to root for Davidson every single second of that Kansas game. Since I had not seen the kids since before Selection Sunday, I had not told them to watch, I had not pressed them about their interest in the tournament, and I had not gabbed on and on about my amazing College.

They figured it out on their own.

I was hesitant to take this job in Greenwich...I was told that the students could never be on my level; their interests and cares were way above my own. These kids have proven this wrong countless times this year...but never more so than today. Over the past week, they saw a team from a college they had heard a little something about (thanks to the "oh, you mean Dickinson? No...?" conversations at the start of the year) grow into a powerhouse that they wanted to know everything about.

Today, I made a presentation on inequalities for my 7th grade class, and on the corner of each slide, in honor of Davidson, was a different picture from each game of the tournament. I had Curry, Lovedale, and Coach McKillop. I had the team sitting, cheering, and scoring. And with every slide, before getting to the actual mathematical lesson on it, I had to answer questions about each game...and, to my surprise, they were the ones who reminded me of the points I missed. "Oh, but you forgot to mention that Richards leads the NCAA in assists" and "But what about when Lovedale grabbed those rebounds?"

Later, a 9th grader overheard me talking in the hallway about the end of the game. He ran up to me and said, "Ms. DeBord, are you talking about Davidson? I really wanted them to win! I couldn't get over how exciting that was!" After a discussion, we both agreed that a two-point, last second loss to a #1 seeded team in the Elite Eight was probably the best kind of loss anyone could ask for. He ran to his class with a smile on his face. So did I.

I was moved on Friday night at a New York City bar surrounded by Davidson alums, graduating between 1970 and 2007. Through tears, I cheered, high-fived, and celebrated with people who understood the importance of Davidson's win over Wisconsin and the incredible, well-deserving school that the victory boosted.

But today...today was something different. To feel that same pride and interest and support from people who not only don't know the school but also are years away from even applying to college really demonstrated the importance of our success in this tournament. Sure, a team could be seeded incorrectly and pull out all the stops to pummel the big name teams of the season and show that they truly are a talented program. But if that team is Davidson, a college that is so deserving of the recognition, the victories become much more meaningful...life-changing, really.

How amazing all of you are. I understand the pressures of the College. But competing in a realm of such great heights is hard for me to grasp. You were flawless. You were inspirational. I felt the passion and excitement and love from every single one of you.

And, what is truly the most wonderful of all, I'm not the only one who noticed. You've got a great group of kids in Greenwich already waiting for next season.

As always, but with a special little bit extra today, I am proud to be a Wildcat.

Claire DeBord '05