Summer 2005 - John Brown University

National ChampsBy Jonathan VerHoevenJBU radio announcer Phillip Moreshead’05 described the final seconds,screaming so loudly that his deep voicecracked repeatedly. Cole threw theball high into the air with both handsstretched skyward and was immediatelyembraced by Pat Smits. Soon, the entirebench joined them, jumping andshouting. Only De Gracia was absent.The Panama native was face down onhis knees at center-court, too overcomewith emotion to move.Fans in Kansas City and SiloamSprings celebrated raucously. Theirteam had become the first team fromArkansas and the third unseeded teamin NAIA history to win the tournament.Brandon Cole finished the night with 25points, earning him the tournament’sMVP award. Smits joined Cole in beingnamed on the All-Tournament team.The Days After—The Golden Eaglesreceived a warm welcome as theyreturned to campus the following day.Because it was spring break, the crowdwas relatively thin. But the returningteam received a police escort throughtown, and television and newspaper reportersstayed around for more than anhour interviewing the champions.A bigger celebration was plannedfor the next week when vacationingJBU students returned. The team enteredthe gym that day to an extendedstanding ovation from more than 400fans.Former JBU presidents John BrownJr., John Brown III, and Lee Balzerjoined current President Charles Pollardin congratulating the team beforethe crowd of students, faculty, staff,community friends, and media representatives.Siloam Springs MayorMoose Van Poucke was on hand to declareMarch 30th “JBU Golden EaglesDay.”Coaches John Sheehy and DonnieBostwick ’92 shared their appreciationfor the team’s character as well as theirperformance. And the NAIA championshipbanner was raised to hang inMurray Sells Gymnasium that day.Without a doubt, the John BrownUniversity men’s basketball programhas soared to new heights. And certainly,the 2005-2006 season, whichpromises the return of Brandon Cole,Alex Terry, and other seasoned players,will be one to watch. ■You too can watch the gameand celebrate with JBU!Videos of the championship game canbe ordered through the NAIA. And youcan get your own championship T-shirtwhen you send a donation of any size toJBU’s Fund for Student Financial Support(FSFS). For more information aboutthese offers, and to read an extendedplay-by-play of the tournament, visitwww.jbu.edu/giving/champsTo honor MVP Brandon Cole, Buffalo Funds presented a$1,000 scholarship check to JBU in Cole’s name. John Brown Bulletin Summer 2005 17