Pride: What is a Bonnie?

Photo courtesy of
Madison Thieman

          Coming in as a freshman to St. Bonaventure, I received a t-shirt with “What is a Bonnie?” written across the back. For weeks before starting my first year at college, I wore that shirt to let others know where I was going to school.

          I wasn't wearing it because I was proud of SBU or because I wanted people to be jealous of where I was going. I just wanted people to know where the next part of my journey would be taking me.

          I can't even begin to count how many people asked me throughout those few weeks what a Bonnie was.

          Every time someone asked, I never had an answer.

          Well, today, after the men's basketball team completed their phenemonal basketball season, I do.

          A Bonnie is someone with heart.

          A Bonnie is someone with passion.

          A Bonnie is someone with a never-give-in attitude.

          A Bonnie is someone who is a team player.

          A Bonnie is someone who is dedicated.

          I'm not talking just about the men's basketball team, the women's basketball team or the Bonnie fans – I'm talking about the whole Bonaventure community.

          I spent today covering the men's basketball team in their first NCAA game since 2000. As a fan,      I'm always proud of my team. I'm always proud of the hardwork, the determination, the comradery and the heart the team puts out every single game.

          Today, I had that experience and so much more.

          As a reporter, you're supposed to be unbiased, but as a Bonnie, that is absolutely impossible.    Sitting on the outside, looking in on the world of Bonnies fans helped me reflect on who we are.

          The amount of Bonnies fans who showed up to Bridgestone Arena this afternoon is a number I could not have counted.

Photo courtesy of
Madison Thieman

          Splotches of brown stained the crowd. Everywhere you looked, you saw posters, face masks, friar habits and brown galore.

          With all the cheers, you would have thought that every person in that arena was a Bonnies fan. Within seconds of an FSU chant beginning, the sounds of SBU chants and the famous “Bona clap” drowned FSU out. We wanted people to know we were here.

          The sights and sounds were enough to show the nation whose territory they were in and who had the greatest fans, but the stories of the fans only adds to that story.

          Personally, myself and three other friends drove 713 miles to Nashville, Tenn., spent at least $100 on gas and a hotel room and just about 12 hours in the car for a two-day trip.

          Although myself and another friend came to cover the game, the others who took over the arena came for pure support. They took days off from work, skipped school, paid money they might not have had to get themselves here to show the men how much they care, how hard they think the team has worked this season and how much they all love being Bonnies.

          Was the drive, the money, the hours worth it?

          Definitely.

          If I could find everyone who had previously asked me what a Bonnie is, I would tell them about today. I would tell them about the thousands of fans cheering so loud I couldn't help but crack a smile every time a chant began. I would tell them about the fans who couldn't make the game but showed their support through Twitter, Facebook and other means. I would tell them about how each member of the men's basketball worked, sweated and played with the heart of a champion. I would tell them about the coaches who have spent hours, days, years dreaming about a moment like this and finally having it happen.

          But most importantly, I would tell them about how even though we lost the game, we still won.

          How can I figure that?

Photo courtesy of
Madison Thieman

          Because of everything I just wrote. Without fans, without players, without coaches who are all passionate, determined and dedicated, we would have truly lost that game.

          But a number on a scoreboard is only half of the story. The other half lies in the hearts of every person who calls himself or herself a Bonnie.

          To quote Coach Schmidt at the post-game press conference, “We have the best fans in the world … looking at them, people coming down, driving down 12 hours, it's a special thing. It's a special place.”

           I am proud to be a Bonnie. Win or lose. Today or tomorrow. A Bonnie is a Bonnie forever.