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The camera was live. The microphones were hot. But a silence hung in the air as Marietta head coach Jon VanderWal reflected on what Saturday evening's advancement to the team's first Final Four meant for the program.
"Obviously, before the game you come out and you see all the people and the environment, and you think back to 14 years ago when there was 5 people in the stands," VanderWal said. "I just take solace in looking around and thinking no matter what happens, this is really special."
Special indeed. After an incredible decade of being one of the nation's most consistent winners, Marietta kicked in the last door holding them back this past weekend. A trip to the Final Four. Marietta's 81-79 win against No. 4 Christopher Newport sends the Pioneers to the NCAA National Semifinal Friday night in Fort Wayne, Ind., for a rematch against No. 1 ranked Randolph-Macon (the Yellow Jackets defeated Marietta 82-74 at Ban Johnson in November at the Great Lakes Invitational).
There are multiple stakeholders that this success can be pinned on. It starts with the community. I've watched and seen a lot of basketball at all levels of competition. Few have the relationship between program and community that Marietta does. Ban Johnson Arena is the envy of Division III programs across the country. Whether it's a sectional championship game in mid-March or a Wednesday night in January against Muskingum, the "BanJo" is filled to the rafters with townspeople supporting their local student-athletes. That noise and support doesn't go unnoticed. The atmosphere at Ban Johnson has impacted game outcomes, been a boost to recruiting, and attracted eyeballs from across the country of people wanting to hear what this amazing gym in tiny SE Ohio is all about.
Next, are the players. This senior class has left zero doubt about who the program's greatest team ever has been. A 106-24 record, four OAC Championships, two OAC Tournament Championships, and four NCAA Tournament appearances including an Elite Eight (2019) and this year's Final Four. Spend any time around this group off the floor and it's easy to see why success has come.
"This team possesses a ton of confidence, that's what makes us special. We know what we can do, and we possess everything in our power to make it next week," said Pioneer senior Lukas Isaly.
The Pioneers have no worries about needing any team in the country to have an off night for them to have a shot to win.
There's a belief that their "A" game is enough to win a national championship and that confidence has been validated with a 29-2 record, a perfect combined OAC regular season and tournament championship (20-0), and a No. 2 national ranking.
No moment is too big for this group, and they'll let it rip next weekend in Fort Wayne with the expectation of the National Championship trophy making the trip home with them back to Marietta.
Finally, there's head coach Jon VanderWal. Both coach and school took a chance on each other in the summer of 2007. Marietta on a young coach in his 20s with zero head coaching experience. Jon on a program that had been left for dead and called a "coaching graveyard" by many peers.
While what's transpired since many would call a minor miracle, Coach VanderWal envisioned this success from Day 1 and has worked tirelessly building this program brick by brick into the national powerhouse it has become today.
"We've built something really special here. It's a unique thing that we've built, and we take a lot of pride in it. It feels good," said Coach VanderWal. "He should feel good, and the community should too. What a special thing this era has been."
As for Fort Wayne and what happens next?
The Pioneers will be itching to even the score with Randolph-Macon in the No. 1 vs. No. 2 game in the semifinal and either team would be the favorite against either Wabash (Crawfordsville, Ind.) or Elmhurst (suburban Chicago) in the other semifinal. Vegas will absolutely be busy this weekend with that "other" tournament at full tilt, but one bet I wouldn't make would be one against the Marietta Pioneers.
Ryan Whitnable is a Marietta College graduate and the creator of the Great Lakes Invitational.