Knight Time
FDU BELIEVE IT!
A Fairytale Season
Experts call it the “greatest upset in college basketball history.”
Broadcasters and commentators bestowed the monikers “bracket busters” and “Cinderella story.”
For FDU, it was the moment the nation bled burgundy and blue.
As the final seconds of the game clock ticked down, sportscaster Andrew Catalon shouted from the broadcast table in shock and awe at this historic moment — “FDU Believe It!”
The No. 16 Knights shocked the world in March when they defeated No.1-seeded Purdue University in the NCAA men’s basketball tournament’s first round — only the second time ever that a 16-seed beat a 1-seed. It was the Knights’ 21st victory of the year, a remarkable turnaround, under then head coach Tobin Anderson — from just four wins the previous season.
The smallest team in the tournament — and smallest of the 363 Division I teams in the country, with an average team height of 6’1″ — played big. The backcourt duo of Demetre Roberts (5’8″) and Grant Singleton (5’9″) propelled the Knights with quick offensive and defensive moves, while forward Sean Moore netted a season-high 19 points in a game. Chants of “F-D-U, F-D-U!” rang through Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio.
“We did something special, something that people didn’t think we would do in year one and that is something they won’t ever forget,” says Roberts.
With that, the Knights became America’s team, capturing the nation’s attention and heart, with their dedication, perseverance and tenacity. Floods of congratulations and well wishes came from across the country as well as from influential brands, celebrities and professional athletes.
And the crowd goes wild! FDU players and fans cheer F-D-U for the Knights.
FDU President Michael Avaltroni saw firsthand how the team enthralled the nation. “The inspiring story of the Knights well reflects the history and identity of FDU, which has long provided students from all walks of life with the opportunity and the support needed to enable them to seize the moment and change their world!” says Avaltroni.
Catalon’s calls during the historic upset — “the Knights of Columbus” and “FDU Believe It” — circulated around social media like wildfire.
Fairleigh Dickinson University had more than 1 million website hits in 24 hours and 4 billion impressions on social media — no longer was FDU a well-kept New Jersey secret. Sports Business Journal reported that the FDU Knights was the most searched men’s team for the 2023 NCAA Tournament.
Demetre Roberts, right, gets ready to take it to the hoop against Purdue University.
The Knights’ historic run ended against Florida Atlantic University, who went on to reach the Final Four. Avaltroni looks ahead to next season and beyond with great optimism as assistant coach Jack Castleberry takes the helm as head coach. “We are filled with hope for the future of FDU Knights men’s basketball, as we told the world what FDU is and in so doing, have created new opportunities and a bright path forward for athletics and for our institution.”
Castleberry reflected on the team’s tournament journey during the press conference announcing his appointment. “Sports can be romantic sometimes. And our story is. What these guys did is unbelievable. There were plenty of people who maybe last week had no idea what FDU is. Now the entire nation does. They’re America’s Cinderella story, and they should be unbelievably proud.”