From the Desk of Stan Morrison:

Dear Highlander Fans,

As an institution, UCR took a major step forward last week with a real live Homecoming Week with all the trimmings. From the decorated offices throughout campus to the bonfire and fireworks next to Parking Lot #30, the campus just came alive with alumni, students and friends enjoying more Blue and Gold than any of us have seen during my 7 years here in the Highlands. The real coup de grace was the campus concert in a massive tented area next to the Bell Tower. Wow! I have heard the crowd estimated at between 3,500 and 5,000! Who knows? All I do know is that the place was packed . . . SRO . . . and they thoroughly enjoyed the entire HEAT concert that concluded with Lupe Fiasco bringing down the house, or tent, beginning around midnight. The event began at 7:00 p.m. and no one left early.

Meanwhile, earlier in the same afternoon, our Women's Basketball Team secured the Big West Conference Championship by beating perennial champion UC Santa Barbara, on the home court of the former dynasty. When I received the score, I phoned and asked Coach John Margaritis to get his team on the bus ASAP and get them back to campus right away. I told him that we had rounded up a "few friends" to honor his team . . . the concert! Arriving around 8:20 p.m., we escorted the team to the stage and at 8:45 p.m. the students went nuts honoring our Big West Champions! Chancellor Cordova took the microphone and encouraged the huge crowd to show their appreciation and to support the team in the upcoming Big West Post-Season Tournament in Anaheim on the weekend of March 9 and 10. The crowd roared their approval. Then Coach Margaritis took the microphone and introduced our coaching staff and the team. The entire event was short and sweet. But, it was truly significant because we had FUN!!! Everyone!!! And, for a few moments, we celebrated together. I want to congratulate Vice Chancellor Jim Sandoval and Dean of Students Susan Allen Ortega and her colleagues for working so very hard behind the scenes to create a truly memorable experience for our Highlander students. ASPB and student groups around campus need to be congratulated for participating and working to bring their classmates to the many activities during the week featuring athletes, Scotty the Bear, Cheer Leaders, battles, eating contests, arm wrestling, posters, and a myriad of activities that simply built a crescendo that culminated with the concert.

The momentum of the Homecoming carried over to the next week with a campus concert featuring Ludacris at the Student Recreation Center that was sold out! Two of our women basketball players, Seyram Gbewonyo and Tainoisouti Lott brought down the house with their routine that included inviting all of the campus to support the Women's Basketball Team at the Big West Tournament in Anaheim.

Let's talk about momentum. We have it and hope that Big West Coach of the Year John Margaritis, and his staff can continue with their magic as they work to devise game plans for the Big West Tournament. This young team, dominated by sophomores, and led by Big West Player of the Year Kemie Nkele, has positioned itself to make a run at the NCAA Tournament which begins the week after the BWC Tourney. Only the winner from the BWC Tournament will go to the NCAA's so there is no time to dwell on the accomplishments of the season to date. We got a taste of it last year when UCR faced #1 seed North Carolina in a memorable game. More mature as a result of playing the Tarheels, UCR wants another crack at "The Dance" and their work this year demonstrated that vividly. It will take two more "W's" to get the invitation. Nothing changes, so here we go! Major keys will continue to be: strong rebounding, taking care of the ball, earning and making the open shot, and defending strongly as a team. We continue to grow in the game and more than once UCR has demonstrated the "grit" to earn the invitation to play in the ultimate tournament for any college student-athlete.

Buy a ticket to Anaheim. Friday, March 9, 2007 at 12:00 noon for the Semi-Finals. With a win, it will be Sunday, March 10, 2007 at 1:00 p.m. for the Championship of the Big West Post-Season Tournament. To the victor goes a trip to somewhere in America where basketball causes people to go crazy for a few wonderful hours, on hardwood, with 2 hoops just 10 feet off the floor. Paint your face Blue and Gold and hang out with the Highlanders for a wild ride. Thanks.

"Take Pride in R-side!"

Stan