Dear Friends of Tribe Athletics,

The last two weeks were so momentous that we are sending you two Mannuscripts this week!

Coming as a surprise to no one, today's edition is all about our fantastic, history-making Women's Basketball program and its heroics on the hardwood, starting during the CAA Tournament and ending in the NCAA's March Madness tournament.
 
Our team was the Cinderella everyone loves to root for, and the media coast to coast made that clear. Stories about our beloved Tribe appeared in the Associated Press, ESPN, Yahoo!, Fox Sports, Houston Chronicle, ABC News, the New York Times' Athletic ... and you get the drift! Our colleagues in University Communications have collected many of them, so take a look. Tribe Scribe Dave Johnson also chronicled this historic journey; his articles will give you an authentic flavor of this unbelievable run!
 
Since I will never get tired of telling our story, and our fans love to hear it, here are the reasons our team rightfully earned its spot in the national spotlight:

• They entered the tournament as the No. 9 seed and became the first 9-seed to advance to the CAA Championship game. 
• They won the school's first CAA Championship and advanced to its first Division I NCAA Tournament. 
• They won W&M's inaugural March Madness game vs. High Point in a First Four contest.
 
Our Head Coach Erin Dickerson Davis, or "Coach E" as she is affectionately now known to thousands of basketball fans, took her club that was 8-10 in CAA play, and reeled off four straight wins in the CAA Tournament.  Along the way, the Tribe had to go to overtime to beat the #1 seed NC AT&T, and then started the championship game down 14-0. It didn't matter, though, as Coach E's team cut down the nets after the tilt! Thank you, Coach E, for always believing.
 
Thank you to every woman who suited up during the season. You never gave up as you competed with everything you had, inspired us with your grit and passion, and made us unbelievably proud! Your teammate, CAA Tournament MVP Bella Nascimento, pictured below, may have earned the coolest tournament nickname, "Bella Buckets," but each of you contributed that helped make history! 
 
Many thanks must go to our fans who have been on this historic journey with us. We heard you at the conference tournament, on campus as you welcomed us home and sent us off to Austin, and when we returned to campus. President Katherine A. Rowe, recuperating from a foot injury, decorated her walking boot in green and gold and lead our fans every step of the way as they supported the Tribe.  And what can I say about our Pep Band and Dance Team, who showed awesome Green & Gold spirit.
 
Our season may be over but take a look at this highlight video, which will help those terrific memories last forever! If you would like to congratulate the team in person, head to our baseball game vs. Hofstra this Saturday, March 29, at 3 p.m., where Women's Basketball will throw out the first pitch at Plumeri Park. The coaches and players will stick around until the end of the second inning with the CAA trophy. Make sure to purchase your ticket today!

A photo with the players AND the trophy is a sure memory-maker!

Can't make it to the ballgame? There will be plenty of additional opportunities to engage with the team, including a banner-raising ceremony this fall. Stay tuned to the Mannuscript for more details.
 
Go, Tribe!

Brian D. Mann
Director of Athletics