The Washburn University men's basketball team was on display to the nation last month, playing on national television in the NCAA Division II championship game. Although the Ichabods lost to Kentucky Wesleyan, the university is banking on the exposure and success of the team to pay dividends in fund-raising projects to improve and strengthen its overall athletics program. I heard from people that I know personally or alums from across the country who either wrote or e-mailed or called saying they saw Washburn on TV and how great it was for the school and the program. They were so happy and proud. You know how important the exposure is, but when those responses start coming back you really do understand the impact.
Success breeds success, in sports and in business.
And sports, even on the small-college level, is a business. The exposure of our basketball team helps fund raising, not just athletics but fund raising across the board at the university. People like to see their alma mater have success. Making the national championship game is pretty special. In the past two years, Washburn also made improvements to the tennis and softball complexes.