Coming together on the sidelines
The inviting and electric feeling you get when you step into UD Arena? It's available to all, not just the Flyer Faithful. Just ask those immersed in March Madness.
As the first games of March Madness tip off in Dayton, UD Arena becomes more than just a basketball venue — it becomes a gathering place for families, fans and communities. It is a place where kids, adults and alumni alike are able to share in the excitement of basketball.
One family who came to enjoy the fun was Jonathan Rose ’16 and his daughter, Andy, along with his sister Sara Johnson, and her children, Brooks, 4, Camden, 3, and Carter, 10 months. Rose said that this is the second year the family has attended the First Four at UD.
When asked if they had a favorite team, Brooks and Camden were more than excited to answer. Brooks pointed to the court and said, “This one! NC State.”
Johnson also asked her children who their favorite player was. Brooks replied, “The Frenchie!” meaning Amaël Le’Tang, while Camden said his favorite was Javon Bennett.
A former cross country coach for UD from 1983 to 1990, Pat Miller and his wife, Pam Miller, came to enjoy the atmosphere. Miller said it felt nice coming back to Dayton and supporting the community.
When asked why he came back, Miller said, “Because of the environment. Dayton loves their basketball.”
While UD families and alumni filled the stands, fans of other schools came to support their teams as well. One family in particular had a special interest in the Miami (Ohio) basketball team and its success. Ashleigh Bethel came with her two children, Jude and Jonathan, and her father, Jonathan Weaver, a former basketball player for the Miami Redhawks, making the tournament especially meaningful for the family.
“It’s absolutely fantastic and extremely inviting,” Weaver said of the environment UD Arena provides.
Although March Madness is full of opposing teams and rivalries, there is a bond formed at Dayton. Walking through the stands, you can feel a sense of family and community, with excitement and enthusiasm spreading from fan to fan. It is much more than basketball — it is tradition, connection and a celebration of generations coming together.
Photography by Maggie Endres '26, Ava McConnell '28 and Mo Anwari '27.