The Salve Community and March Madness

By: Danielle Cort
Posted In: News

NEWPORT, R.I. – This is one type of insanity that won’t leave you confused,

disheveled, and paranoid about what time to take those “crazy pills.” You

won’t find yourself in a small room with white walls, as your mind slowly

becomes your entertainment. The only “madness” you’ll experience, is that in

March.

The NCAA basketball tournament, known as March Madness, is an annual event that

unites sports fans of all kinds. College students and office-workers are the

prime suspects of a hobby that has seemingly become political.

With its frequent gambling, various predictions, and unexpected results, March Madness has become popular among newscasts such as CBS, gained popularity nationwide,

and to this day, continues to be a hot discussion at Salve Regina University.

Kate Ober, a sophomore at Salve, has strong opinions when it comes to the

tournament. “I’m friends with guys, and during this time, they are practically

glued to the television,” Ober said. Wanting to be “one of the guys,” Ober said, “I try to get involved.

I fill in a bracket and pick names that sound promising to

me. I go by seeds and occasionally toss in an upset.”

Ober admits that she wants it to seem like she knows what she is talking about. “I think that’s the case with a lot of people,” she said.

That may be the case, but regardless of one’s motives, March Madness is

definitely a time in the year that consumes a lot of thought, money, and time.

“Since I’ve been to college, I’ve participated in four brackets, usually just

for fun,” Ober said. “I think it’s cool that college students make such a big

deal about other college students playing basketball.”

Although she would not put a significant amount of money into the brackets, Ober does know people who would, her favorite team? Gonzaga. “I like the name. The fact that they are good is a bonus!”

Not all students have enthusiasm when it comes to March. Freshman Lines Millord never really thought about the pools or brackets.

“I don’t really have time to watch the games,” she said. Millord, an avid basketball fan in high school, didn’t know much about the tournament, but said her favorite sports teams come from New York.

Aside from student opinions, the faculty has some opinions of their own. Professor Norma Bailey knows a thing or two about the tournament, even though she never engaged in picking brackets herself.

“I only know about it [March Madness] because I watch the 6 o’clock news. I shut it off after the weather.” With a bit of

humor, Professor Bailey spoke about the tournament’s interests at the office.

“Men across the country in offices are using computers to watch March Madness, unless of course the office is blocking it.”

A fairly new concept to Professor Bailey, she doesn’t see this type of gambling

as addictive.”I only know about the office pools. In that sense, I think it

is innocent.”