It has been three weeks since we played host to the New Jersey Institute of Technology in the semifinals of the CIT Postseason Basketball Tournament and I still have not fully wrapped my mind around what took place in the Skydome that evening.  Nearly 6,000 fans packed the Dome to cheer on their hometown Lumberjacks.  There were students packed in with professors, parents, grandparents and of course kids of all ages.  For some people this was their first introduction to NAU Basketball or maybe even NAU Athletics and what an intro it turned out to be.  Like many of our other March contests we got behind and seemed to be facing insurmountable odds, trailing by 12 points with 16 minutes to play, but on this evening we heard the crowd and felt their energy.  We knew if we kept plugging away, playing unselfish and together, that we wouldn't fail.  Pushed towards success by those thousands of fans who packed the Dome, arriving with curiosity and leaving with life long memories.  To all of those in attendance or following from afar thank you!  Thank you for creating an environment that was the talk of college basketball from Flagstaff to Indianapolis.  Thank you for being in the building even though not all of you had a clear view of the court.  Thank you for believing in us and for celebrating with us, when we showed the nation what it means to be NAU Strong.  Now its back to preparing for next year, we hope to see you in the Dome ready for the next magical run.

Go 'Jacks!

Jack Murphy