The torch has been passed.
The Brad Soderberg era has officially begun.
In his 19th game as Billiken head coach, Soderberg has put out any remaining embers that remained from Lorenzo Romar’s tenure. Last night, Soderberg’s Billikens upended the second-ranked Louisville Cardinals in front of the most electric crowd the Savvis Center has seen since a nail-biting loss to Missouri last season.
For the Billikens it is a stepping stone, and something to hang their seasons on. For Soderberg, it is his validation as the coach of the Billikens.
Three years ago, most people didn’t know who Lorenzo Romar was. Then, in the Conference USA tournament his Billikens upset the No. 1 ranked Cincinnati Bearcats and went on to win the C-USA tournament and qualify for the NCAA Tournament. That was the validation of Romar. The Billikens became his team and no one else’s. People across the country saw the face of Romar on highlight shows and began to associate it with a small Jesuit university in downtown St. Louis. Romar’s team became giant killers, and a team that others became weary of when they saw the Billikens on their schedule. There was no more talk of Charlie Spoonhour, only of Romar.
After Wednesday night, there will be no more talk of Romar, only Soderberg. For one night at least, the Billikens are the center of attention across the country. Forget Duke, forget Kansas, forget Arizona, they all take a back seat to the Billikens. And that fact is very important.
Last night, kids across the country watched SportsCenter and took notice of Saint Louis University as the team that ended the nation’s longest winning streak. This one win is all it takes. SLU has re-emerged as the thorn in the side of every national title contender.
For those three minutes that Marque Perry slashed across the screen nationwide, the children will took notice and will remember the Billikens. Trust me, those three minutes will change the complexion of this campus and the makeup of the Billiken basketball team. In 1994, the Billikens went to the NCAA tournament and made a name for themselves as bracket busters.
People take notice of things like that–I know, because that was the first time that I had ever heard of Saint Louis University. Prospective students and prospective players will remember Louisville coach Rick Pitino rubbing his temples in frustration on the sidelines when they think back to Wednesday night.
As Perry’s finger roll dripped through the net, the Billikens rose from the ashes. At the same time, Soderberg emerged as the only face that coaches the Billikens. He is here and he is here to stay. He may now be wholeheartedly accepted by fans, alumni and prospective players.
It is time to welcome Soderberg to the list of successful Billiken coaches, and this is just the beginning. He is no longer the coach that took Wisconsin to the Final Four, he is the coach that upset No. 2 Louisville. He is coach Brad Soderberg, and he is a Billiken.
