March Madness hits Swarthmore College

March Madness has come to Swarthmore College. The men’s basketball team (28-3) defeated Nichols 69-65 Saturday in the Elite Eight on the campus of Amherst College, which put the six ranked Garnets in the NCAA Division

3 Final Four. This is the first time in the history of Swarthmore College Men’s Basketball that they have reached the NCAA Division 3 Final Four.

Saturday’s win continued Swarthmore’s 14game win streak. Wednesday the players were feted outside Lamb-Miller Field House as they set out from campus for Saturday’s semi-final game in Fort Wayne, Ind., against number nine ranked Christopher Newport University.

While most students are on spring break, fans, staff and Phineas the Phoenix, the school mascot cheered the players as they finished practice at the field house and boarded a charter bus to Philadelphia International Airport and a flight to Fort Wayne. The bus was escorted by police and a fire truck from Swarthmore Fire Department.

“It’s pretty special for a school like ours to get here,” said Adam Hertz, athletic director at Swarthmore. “Coach Landry (Kosmaiski) has really done a good job building a culture of success.”

“In 2017 they made the Sweet 16 of the NCAA’s and last year the quarter finals. We seem to advance a level each year,” said Hertz. Hopefully we skip a year and bring home a national championship.”

PETE BANNAN - MEDIANEWS GROUP Above, Swarthmore men’s basketball coach Landry Kosmalski acknowledges supporters as the team heads for the Final Four in Fort Wayne.

PETE BANNAN - MEDIANEWS GROUP A young fan and Phineas the Phoenix cheer Swarthmore players as they head for the Final Four.

At left, Phineas the Phoenix greets Swarthmore players as they leave Lamb-Miller Field House on Wednesday.

PETE BANNAN - MEDIANEWS GROUP While most students are on spring break, fans, staff and Phineas the Phoenix, the Swarthmore College mascot, cheered the players as they finished practice at LambMiller Field House on Wednesday.