EDITORIAL: Congratulations!

Wednesday's Palestra triumphWednesday's Palestra triumphwas not only a victory for the team,Wednesday's Palestra triumphwas not only a victory for the team,it was a win for the UniversityWednesday's Palestra triumphwas not only a victory for the team,it was a win for the University_____________________________________ The consistent effort throughout the season truly paid off, as the team brought home its second Ivy League title in a row and is now set to explode onto the national scene by winning its first NCAA tournament game since 1980. But Wednesday's win was not only a tremendous victory for the players -- it was a triumph for the student body as well. For many months, students have dealt with the negative press of the "water buffalo" incident and the controversy surrounding the confiscation of The Daily Pennsylvanian. Now, however, for the first time in over a year, the University is receiving favorable national attention. The media has recognized us for our athletic accomplishments -- our national ranking, our second consecutive Ivy crown and our 27 Ivy League victories in a row. We are a university that prides itself on academics, but our on-the-court victory has shown that we are a school that can be successful in many other endeavors as well. We can excel while maintaining high academic standards and without athletic scholarships. We do not exhaust budgets to woo recruits, and we do not turn our heads if athletes fail their classes. And yet, we still emerge victorious. The combination of athletics and academics at Penn is truly special. This is why we must be proud -- proud of our athletes and our school. The determination, hard work and perseverance of these athletes has given the entire student body reason to cheer, smile and support their school. For this, we must thank them. So, as we leave for spring break, think about schools that only produce professional athletes and schools that only churn out bookworms. Then think about our school, a university that has found a way to graduate well-rounded individuals prepared to succeed in any task they wish to take on. We leave school on an emotional high. Take the emotion of Wednesday's packed Palestra with you and enjoy the time off. But make sure you return to school safely to watch the tournament draw Sunday and find out where our basketball team will be seeded for the Big Dance.