Take the opportunity of postseason to root on the herd

If you haven't heard already, Marshall University's men's basketball team made it to postseason action for the first time in 22 years. The loss to Tulsa on Sunday in the Conference USA Tournament was heartbreaking, but hopes were not dashed. The Herd will be No. 1 seed in the College Insiders Tournament, and with the win against Western Carolina on Tuesday, will be on the road to hosting the championship game.

While the College Insiders Tournament has only been in existence for two years, it's a great start for a team that hasn't seen this kind of action in a long time. Fans may be discouraged about the Herd not getting into the NCAA and NIT Tournament, but we need to remember the team has still accomplished a great achievement.  

Head coach Donnie Jones said about 200 teams aren't playing right now. How great is it that the Herd is among a select few that still gets to continue its season? Some of the games have packed the Cam Henderson Center this year, but it's probably a good assumption to say that most students still have not come to a single game. This postseason play is like a second chance for Marshall fans to come and root for their team if they haven't been able to already.

Come join the energy and momentum this team certainly has after its win against Western Carolina with the score of 90 to 88. We should support the team no matter if it is winning or losing, but nothing should stop us now with the winning the men have been doing lately to get to this point.

Fans should follow this mantra for all Marshall athletic teams. We need to be there for all our athletes who put so much energy and work into training and playing for these games.

If you've ever been to a game, you'll see the enthusiasm of the players, their looks of concentration and huge smiles after a win. Some may think back to the moving scene of former basketball player Markel Humphrey, who knelt to kiss the gym floor after the game ended on senior night.

The games are the athlete's show of work, just like the art students have their galleries and music students have their performances. We need to acknowledge what they do and show our support.