Evansville Purple WHO? Oh, and where’s Evansville?
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The Purple Aces: a family affair.
I know I’ve mentioned it before, but I grew up a fan of the Purple Aces. Some of my earliest sports memories include going to Roberts Stadium with my parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles, and watching the University of Evansville men’s basketball team. We would usually walk from my grandparents’ house on nearby Franklin street. Grandpa would bring his little radio and listen to the broadcast of the game while watching the game live. He said the radio announcers (including Bob Buck) had a better perspective of what was happening on the court.
I don’t know if he was right or not. I’ve never tried doing that. But I have always enjoyed listening to radio broadcasts of college basketball games. I usually enjoy those announcers more than the television announcers.
My family was intensely engaged in the game. I remember one time when I was really young and didn’t really have any idea what was going on, my Grandpa was yelling at the ref. “Oh, come on! He was walking!” I didn’t know he was talking about the opponent traveling. I thought he was complaining about our guy who was slowly walking the ball up the court. He was commenting about the officiating. I thought he was commenting on the team’s effort.
I remember another game (or maybe it was the same game – I doubt it, though) when the refs were “letting them play” a.k.a. missing blatant foul calls. In a moment of frustration after a ref missed yet another call where the opponent had thrown our beloved Aces onto the floor, Dad stood up and raised both hands in the air.
“TOUCHDOWN!”
He shouted it so loud, it felt like all of Roberts Stadium could hear him. I’m pretty sure the refs heard him. The ladies in our family definitely heard him. They were embarrassed. They should’ve been embarrassed by the lame attempt at refereeing that was happening on the court. But that’s another story.
I don’t know how many Purple Aces games I attended growing up. Sometimes it was just me and my brother. Other times it was a whole family affair.
Needless to say, I grew up a fanatic of the Purple Aces. So did many other people in our community.
Although I haven’t lived in Evansville in almost two decades, my fanaticism for the team has not waned.
A program with history.
There’s a long history of community support for the Aces. I’m sure it wasn’t too hard to support them when they won their five national championships, including an undefeated run to the NCAA crown.
You read that right.
Five.national.championships.
This upset of number one Kentucky is a big deal. It’s definitely the biggest win for the Purple Aces since the 1970s. But the University of Evansville is no stranger to success.
Back before the days of Division II basketball, there was the College Division. And the Aces, led by Basketball Hall of Fame inductee Arad McCutchan, dominated the College Division landscape.
I remember the success of Jim Crews’s teams that included appearances in the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Tournament, including an overtime win against Oregon State before they lost to Seton Hall. Had they defeated Seton Hall, they would have played second-seeded Indiana in the Sweet Sixteen. They also came within a shot of defeating Indiana to win the Preseason NIT back when that tournament meant something. A few years ago, Marty Simmons coached his Purple Aces to a CIT tournament championship.
I get it, though. None of their Division I success has ever come close to an upset of the AP #1 ranked team on the road. It’s a big deal that the Purple Aces beat the KY Wildcats.
A.big.deal.
A.HUGE.deal.
A.big.HUGE.PURPLE.deal.
All hail to our Evansville!
Also known as the Pocket City and River City along the Ohio River in southwestern Indiana, Evansville has produced some well-known athletes, including Andy Benes, Don Mattingly, Calbert Cheaney, Walter McCarty, and Lilly King.
And, once again, Evansville is known for its basketball success.
This has been a long time coming. The time is ripe for Walter McCarty and Company to take the next step and build upon this point that shook the basketball world. And we are here for it.
In the meantime, I think you’ll understand if we take a few moments to celebrate…
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