As the final buzzer sounded on Mar 22, Iowa City exploded into a raucous celebration. Beers were flung, shirts were stripped off and whipped recklessly above heads, and high fives slapped together. For the first time in 39 years, the Iowa men’s basketball team had advanced to the Elite Eight in the NCAA tournament.
Although the game against Illinois that followed ended the exciting run, it was unmistakable that Iowa City had been lit ablaze from the breaking of their drought. Hawkeye basketball had the city in a firm grasp – students buzzed with excitement, the downtown scenery was packed to the brim, and the fans had become strongly united.
“You could tell everyone came together in one big community supporting the team, all with the goal to win. Everyone was going crazy with every shot. Just high-fiving each other and having a good time,” Jimmie Ware, second-year UI student, said.
The Sweet Sixteen battle against Nebraska had generated a massive showing of students, filling bars to capacity in support for their Hawkeyes. The buzzing energy and undying school spirit swept through several establishments, setting the tone for what it means to stand behind the team.
Similarly to Ware, UI first-year student Dominic Channon was in downtown Iowa City during the game.
“Everyone just felt connected. You could feel every shot was making the energy rise, it was insane,” Channon said.
After the electrifying victory, plans and preparations from students and businesses were already being made for the next game. The culture fostered in the downtown scene was undoubtedly only going to grow as the Hawkeyes advanced through the tournament.
As Saturday and the Elite Eight game rolled around, several bars and other local downtown areas with ample television screens and entertainment setups swelled. Students split up, finding spots and tables wherever they could manage. Joe’s Place, a popular bar among Iowa City residents due to its rooftop feature and fun atmosphere, found itself acting as a hotspot for several eager game spectators.
Lauren White, a Joe’s Place bartender and manager, was on duty for both games, describing the crowd in the bar as “shoulder to shoulder” and “crazy packed.” Though every square inch seemed to be filled, White said everyone was in good spirits and stayed polite to the staff.
“Even after the Sweet Sixteen win, there was a huge celebration that didn’t clear out until around one,” White said.
It was busy enough to keep her and the other employees constantly hustling around, so much so that they could hardly watch any of the game themselves. Even still, she said it was made perfectly clear when there was something worth celebrating.
“I was barely able to watch the game because of how busy it was, but I didn’t feel like I was missing out. I understood every time we scored or made a good play because of everyone’s reactions around me and the cheering,” White said.
Though the celebrations weren’t as grand after the loss on Saturday, White said there was still a crowd. Downtown Iowa City as a whole was nonetheless swimming with activity, brushing off the loss and quickly replacing it with gratitude.
“I honestly hadn’t bet on us making it this far into the tournament. It was a super fun time, regardless of how it ended or how much it messed up my bracket,” Anna Moschella, second-year UI student, said.
Thirty-nine years – that’s how long it’s been since the last Elite Eight appearance made by the Iowa men’s basketball team in the NCAA Championship. No matter how disheartening the loss or how many excuses can be made for the game, there’s an important achievement at the forefront of it all.
UI students proved something this weekend, as they’ve done time and time again when their teams do well. They stand together in school spirit, united as one front to support Hawkeye sports through whatever means they can.
Editor’s Note: Lauren White is a former employee of The Daily Iowan.
