Of the eight locations that served as NCAA Tournament First and Second Round sites, none are further away from Indianapolis than San Jose, CA. For many schools similar in size to Butler, being placed more than 2,000 miles away from you home city results in sparse attendance, and many school administrators acting as their team's "fans."
While there are plenty of Butler staffers cheering their hearts out for the Bulldogs, they've certainly rallied the troops. Surely there are many fans that have made the trip to San Jose from Indianapolis and locations even further away, but there is an incredible contingent of "Bay Area" Bulldogs that are making their voices heard as Butler competes in the NCAA Tournament.
For the diehards though, the place to be each and every night during this trip is simply in the lobby of the team hotel here in San Jose. By most accounts, Butler alums are taking advantage of the opportunity to simply be around other Butler alums, and soaking up the entire experience associated with the "Big Dance."
I made my way down to the team hotel Friday night, to see for myself just how Butler's fans were spending their time between basketball games. Of course, everyone who made the trip is a basketball fan at heart, but it doesn't necessarily define who they are. Much like my colleague, Adam Coppinger, experienced last year in Miami with the Cleveland State Vikings, it makes for an interesting night when you're surrounded by people who care as passionately about a basketball team as the players themselves do.
One of the first people I ran into was Jim Disney, a 1967 graduate of Butler University. Our conversation — from beginning, middle, to end — was all about Butler basketball. He knows his stuff, and has plenty of experiences to draw upon. We determined Friday night that there's a good chance he and I will be on the same flight back to Indianapolis, so I'd imagine I'll have the opportunity to continue my conversation with him on Sunday. For now, however...here's what Jim had to say:
Many people in the Butler community will find my next interview subject to be a very familiar face... one that's too good to pass up. Levester Johnson is Butler University's Vice President for Student Affairs, and a mainstay at Butler basketball games — especially the big games, like the ones taking place here in San Jose. His perspective on this event, and how it relates to the university, is fantastic. Oh, and we definitely talked some hoops as well.
Next up on my list was someone who's also a mainstay at Butler basketball games... someone that has always has a phenomenal view of all the action. His name is Dan O'Reilly. He's a senior at Butler University and a member of the Butler cheerleaders. This group follows the Bulldogs virtually everywhere they go, but Dan agrees that there's still something special about the NCAA Tournament, even though this is his 4th trip in four seasons.
As I continued making my way around the hotel lobby, I was lucky enough to be introduced to a former Butler basketball player, Clarence Crain. His player career as a Butler Bulldog concluded in 1973, but he's followed the program very closely ever since. His love for Hinkle Fieldhouse, as you'll see and hear, is very evident.
I found Jerry and Patsy Shultz as they were entering the hotel lobby after what I assume to be a very enjoyable night in San Jose. How much do they love the Dawgs? Well, for one, both were clad in Butler clothing. There are more answers that can be found in the interview, but it's safe to say that these two are incredibly passionate Butler fans.
The final person I spoke with was Julia Joshel, and her story — to me — really sums up what it's like to be a part of this Butler community. Julia is not a graduate of Butler University, and has been employed by the university for less than a year. Yet, here she is, the Residence Life Coordinator at Butler's Schwitzer Hall, in San Jose cheering on the Bulldogs. OK... so maybe she's originally from the Bay Area, but still — work with me here! It wasn't long ago she was just beginning to understand what made Butler basketball special, but once she did... she was hooked. Now, here in San Jose, she's fitting in perfectly with the rest of fans and alums, and even acting a bit of a tour guide as well.
