Florida Gulf Coast University. Sounds like a great school to attend if you're looking for fun in the sun and a party school curriculum, but in terms of sports? You'd do better to root for Florida, Florida St., or Miami, right?
Not so fast. This Cinderella story is almost too good to be true. The 15-seed Florida Gulf Coast University Eagles pulled off a massive 78-68 upset of 2-seed Georgetown Friday night in the opening round of the NCAA tournament, but it's the path that they've taken to get there that's more impressive than anything else.
For starters, back when Georgetown was in its heyday with the likes of Patrick Ewing in the frontcourt and Coach John Thompson at the helm, FGCU wasn't even an idea. It wasn't until May of 1991 that legislation was signed allowing for a university to be built in the southwest region of Florida. That university would eventually become known as the Florida Gulf Coast Eagles.
Even five years ago the campus wasn't much to look at. This university isn't just young, it's barely a toddler. Fifth-year senior Eddie Murray remembers.
"It was actually pretty strange," he said. "There were a couple dorm rooms and that was it. You'd see wild animals - wild boar, bobcats, alligators - crossing the road. It was unbelievable."
The first student wasn't accepted there until 1997, and they weren't able to attain a Division I standing in basketball till a full decade later. After going through the mandatory four year probationary period the Eagles were finally eligible for the NCAA tournament last year and almost got in their very first year, losing in the Atlantic Sun championship game.
Enter Andy Enfield. Years ago he left his cushy job at his Wall Street firm that is now worth over $100 million. He left because more than anything else, he was determined to become a head coach, and two years ago he was finally given that opportunity. Not a bad choice, considering Enfield also happens to hold the all-time Division III record for free throw percentage while playing at Johns Hopkins. He also has a supermodel wife, but I digress.
Before this year, few people outside of hardcore college basketball circles even knew FGCU existed. That started to change earlier this year when the Eagles beat a current 2-seed in the University of Miami, 63-51. Even then, few cared to take notice, and even fewer dared to pick them as a Cinderella team in their bracket.
After tonight's impressive performance against Georgetown, FGCU is sure to gain more than it's share of fans rooting for the underdog. A patchwork group of athletes from a no name school wins against one of basketball's most storied programs with their unconventional new head coach who has a supermodel wife? Now that's a story we can all get behind. They even have the prerequisite quirky humor down.
"I'm not really nervous," says forward Chase Fieler, "other than the fact we're from Florida and they're putting us in a hockey rink against a team from up north. Just kidding."
