Moraga Goes Ga-Ga over Gaels

Brenda Mossotti got her family up very early on the morning of Wednesday, March 24^th to be on the Saint Mary’s College (SMC) campus in time for the “send-off” of the men’s basketball team as it began its journey to Houston to take on Baylor last Friday, March 26^th, in the NCAA championship playoffs.  SMC had not seen a team advance to the “Sweet 16” since 1959, and Moraga is rallying around its players.

“The kids really wanted to come,” says the Moraga mother of three school-age children, “it was the highlight of their day, they got to see Omar (Samhan), they talked to him, had pictures taken, and were so excited to go back to school and tell all their friends.” 

At 7:30 a.m. the Mossottis were among about 200 people from Moraga and beyond that came to cheer the team as it departed. “There were five or six media trucks from all over,” says Moraga Mayor Ken Chew, who was also there.  “This is great for the college and for the town,” he adds, “it will increase Saint Mary’s visibility and enrollment and it can be good economically for the town as well.”  All over Moraga, banners supporting the team are hanging proudly.

For the players too, the community fervor brings a new feeling of belonging. “It’s just unreal,” said Samhan in an interview for Saint Mary’s, “you’re so happy to see the media and your friends and family and they welcome you with open arms and are so proud of you. There’s such a sense of community. The community feels like they’re in the Sweet Sixteen. It’s such a bond we have with such a small town, you know people come up to me in the streets and say, ‘Do it for us!’”

Many celebrations have taken place of over the last several days.  On the morning of Saturday the 20^th and in the afternoon of Friday the 26th community members, alumni, and students gathered at the college to watch the televised games.  On the night of Saturday the 20^th, when the team came home at 11:30 p.m. after its victory against Villanova, police and fire department vehicles escorted the team bus and hundreds of supporters gathered at the campus in a boisterous and festive atmosphere. 

On Friday the 26th, Moraga School District Superintendent Rick Schafer (a Saint Mary’s alum) encouraged staff and students to wear red and blue to show their support for the team.

Even if the team got defeated by Baylor, residents offered them a warm welcome-home when they returned on Saturday morning.  Deafening sirens and supporters of all ages brought a lot of excitement to a campus that had been mostly deserted due to the beginning of Spring break.  “I have been following the basketball team since 1978,” said Rossmoor resident and former Moraga resident for 37 years Fred Cady, “it’s the best they’ve ever done, and I’m sure they’ll do just as well next year.”

Moraga Mayor said that the town would organize a great civic celebration for the team in the coming days.  The date has not been set yet, but the event should take place at the Moraga Commons at the beginning of April.