While the world may have just recently noticed UMBC, Retriever fandom goes way back.
Storied Career
This is not the first time the men’s team has danced at March Madness. Having bested Binghamton to become 2007-08 America East champions, the team — along with former coach Randy Monroe — made it to round one of play, falling to #2 Georgetown, but bringing UMBC its first real taste of the national spotlight. The 1978 – 79 and 1979 – 80 men’s teams also went to the NCAA Division II Championships, and the 1978 – 79 team made it to the quarter-finals and finished the season ranked No. 6 in NCAA DII.
Seasoned Fans
For some, the combination of opening the new Event Center plus the excitement of this historic season will mean an introduction to UMBC athletics fandom. But many others, including some retired faculty and staff (pictured below with the team) and longtime season ticket holders, have been Retriever Believers for years.
“I think one of the reasons this team impressed the country so much is because they’re smart and they’re engaging kids. And they have charisma,” said former staff member Charles “Tot” Woolston. Emeritus professor of sociology William Rothstein, who like Woolston already has his tickets for the 2018 – 19 season, agreed. “They’ve proven this wasn’t a fluke.”
To purchase season tickets for the 2018-19 season, visit tickets.umbc.edu or call Seth Nagle at 410-455-8425.
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