(Letter to the Editor - Graphic Illustration/MetroCreativeConnection)

Once again, the other national college basketball bracket is here. For those of you who are not aware, West Liberty University near Wheeling is once again playing in the Division II Men’s National Basketball Tournament. As a member of the Mountain East conference, they have won the Atlantic Region, and have once again played their way into the Elite Eight, with a 31-3 record. Think about that. There are only eight teams remaining and West Liberty University is one of them!

Once again, they have been averaging over 100 points a game! Why should we care? Well, first of all, the Mid-Ohio Valley has many students, from many sports, who choose West Liberty to further their education. Second, the men’s head basketball coach, Ben Howlett, is from Marietta, played his college ball at West Liberty where he averaged 23 points per game as a senior, was an assistant coach under former coach Jim Crutchfield, and is a two-time MEC coach of the year award winner; and third, the assistant athletic director at West Liberty, Brad Forshey (by son-in-law) is a Williamstown High School and Marietta College graduate.

I could go on and on about the local ties, but there is another interesting note, if you believe in possibilities. The former head basketball coach Crutchfield, a Clarksburg native, is now the head coach at Nova Southern University of Florida, where they are undefeated at 33-0, and a No. 1 seed. For those of us who are dreamers, the possibility exists that West Liberty and Nova Southern could meet for the D-II National Championship on March 25.

Whatever happens from here on out in the Division II National Men’s Basketball Championship, we here in the Mid-Ohio Valley should be proud. I know I am!

John Fansler

Vienna