By Mia Parise, Sports Management ’26.

Dayton Flyers Men’s Basketball Team fell to the Arizona Wildcats on Friday, March 23 to end their amazing 2024 season.

This season, the Flyers were ranked in the top 25 for most of their season and won the first round of the NCAA March Madness Tournament. Through injuries and upsets, the Flyer Faithful backed the team up and cheered them on from all over the country. With alumni communities in over 35 cities, the Flyers were able to feel all of the love and support. Alumni continue to support their alumni through cheering on their teams in participating in various campaigns to continually better the university. 

During the amazing 17-point comeback over Nevada on March 21, many large gatherings of Flyer fans were seen on social media from all over! The comeback was the largest March Madness comeback since 2018. Below is a viral clip posted on the famous Barstool Sports page. 

One of the main reasons why so many people love Dayton is the overused word, community. Although it is so fitting and accurate in every way possible. Fans fly all over the country to see the men’s basketball game compete. It is a community I am lucky to be a part of. Dayton’s amazing Athletic Department is one of the many reasons why I chose to be a Dayton Flyer. 

Another iconic part of the Flyers is our beloved Pep Band. The Pep Band is seen at all athletic events and travels with the men’s basketball team on many occasions. They have seen an abundant amount of attention on social media and have been named “stars of March Madness”. The band is a well-rehearsed musical machine that elevates the game-day experience above and beyond that of your typical cheer band. They provide a wide variety of musical styles to their performances, with members who are skilled in brass, woodwinds, percussion, and other instruments. Their repertoire includes both modern hits and classic fight songs, all of which are meant to energize the crowd and inspire support for the side. Dayton’s Pep Band is unique because of their everlasting passion and dedication. Rain or shine, victory or defeat, they are there in the stands supporting their team and boosting the morale of supporters with their tunes. They are a treasured component of the Dayton basketball experience because of their unwavering dedication to perfection and love for what they do. The Pep Band raised their level of performance. The pep band’s presence intensified as Dayton advanced through the tournament, electrifying the audience and transforming the arena into a thrilling place to be. The band was there to give the soundtrack to every moment, energizing the players and the fans equally, whether it was a game-changing defensive stop or a pivotal three-pointer. The photo below is a quick glance at one of eight different hats the band wore during the game against the University of Arizona. 

However, their influence went beyond the actual games. Everywhere they traveled, The Pep Band became a symbol of happiness and unity for the institution. They united individuals and fostered a sense of pride in being a member of the Dayton Flyers family, whether they were playing at pep rallies, community gatherings, or even simply on campus. One of the incredible aspects of March Madness is being a nationally televised event, many smaller schools are getting extreme publicity they do not always have the opportunity to have. Many people know of the University of Dayton due to our success within the men’s basketball team or the Pep Band. Social Media and television have given the incredible opportunity to provide more coverage and promotion of the university itself. Opposed to typical routes of recruiting new students, previous studies have shown more enrollment or interest when schools are successful in March Madness. 

Even though the Dayton Flyers were eliminated in the second round of the March Madness, the team’s supporters and fans showed tremendous gratitude for head coach, Anthony Grant and each player for their consistent hard work and success this season.