ASHWAUBENON, WI (WTAQ) – It wasn’t the big dance, but at the Bar on Holmgren Way Thursday night, the excitement was not any less.
Hundreds of UW-Green Bay fans joined together to watch the Phoenix in the CIT Championship against Marshall.
Ryan of Green Bay came out to celebrate his birthday and cheer on the Phoenix.
“It feels awesome that they made it to the CIT Championship.”
Brothers Mitchell and Matthew LaBarge of Green Bay were taking the whole experience in. “It’s there One Shining Moment,” Mitchell said. “It is such a big deal for UW-GB and is like a Super Bowl for them.
Both of the LaBarge boys spend time going to games at the Resch Center. Matthew says he considers this a big stage and their success caught him by surprise. “I honestly did not know that they were doing so well until last week. I think the program is really growing. I think for a smaller program like UW-Green Bay, this is a bigger deal.”
The Bar streamed the game knowing that there would be a strong interest in Green Bay. It also helps draw interest when you have guys like Sandy Cohen and Cody Schwartz on the team. Cohen played high school basketball at Seymour while Schwartz played at conference rival West De Pere at the same time.
“I have been watching Sandy Cohen his whole career,” Erik said as he had a front-row seat for the game. “I just think it is good for the program to be playing in these type of games to get more experience for next year.”
During the game, a familiar voice was heard. Steve Noel, has been the PA announcer for the Phoenix for years and said he was not surprised to see the support.
“There is always support for the team, that is why everyone wants to come out and watch.” Noel says officially, UW-Green Bay survived the longest in the tournament season. “It is still after the regular season, it’s Tournament time.
After the Phoenix fell to Marshall 90-70, fans left disappointed but excited for what this can do for the future of the program.
