Congratulations to the Virginia Union University Lady Panthers and the Virginia State University Trojans men’s basketball teams!

The teams, both CIAA Tournament champions, represented themselves, their universities and Virginia well during the NCAA Division II regional games. Both teams suffered close losses in being eliminated during the second round.

Lady Panthers Coach AnnMarie Gilbert and VSU Coach Lonnie Blow deserve to be proud of their players. Their coaching efforts have helped their student-athletes achieve and learn the importance of goal-setting both on and off the court. 

We are happy for the young people whose dedication, hard work and commitment to the team and their goals have paid off. You have made us proud! Keep up the good work in your studies and in life!

We also want to extend good wishes to Virginia Commonwealth University, the University of Virginia, Virginia Tech, Old Dominion University and Liberty University as March Madness continues. All five teams won berths — with U.Va. the No. 1 seed in the South Region — in the NCAA Division I Tournament. High five!