Lots of excitement on campus as UWM hosts pep rally

MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- The UW-Milwaukee Panthers are doing more than the two-step as they head to the "Big Dance!" The team beat Wright State on Tuesday night, March 11th, 69-63. In the victory, the team clinched the Horizon League tournament title -- and is launched into the NCAA tournament for the first time since 2006.

On Thursday, March 13th, the university held a pep rally to cheer on the men's basketball team. There was a lot of excitement on campus -- especially since the team was not expected to make it this far.

There was no need to curtail the excitement at UWM's pep rally on Thursday -- or the Panthers pride!

"It`s a good feeling to have on campus. You know, the winter`s been horrible. To have something exciting with our black and gold effort -- it`s just a really good time for us to celebrate," UWM grad student Melissa Marthol said.

"There was a lot of times this year when people jumped off the bandwagon -- but young men, you guys stuck together and believed in yourselves and this is what happens when you believe in yourself," Milwaukee Alderman Willie Wade said.

Jordan Aaron is UWM's senior guard. He says he's amped up for the NCAA Tourney.

"(The pep rally) was amazing. I mean, the support this school gives the program and every other program is just amazing -- and I'm so proud to be a part of this basketball team," Aaron said.

"As they go into this tournament, I have great confidence that this Cinderella story is going all the way," Milwaukee Common Council President Michael Murphy said.

The UW-Milwaukee Panthers are gearing up for Selection Sunday, March 16th -- when brackets and seeds are released to the public -- and the team learns who they'll next face on the court.

CLICK HERE to learn more about the UW-Milwaukee Panthers.

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