Iona College Holds Party to Celebrate Gael's Championship

Sean Armand, junior guard for the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference champion Iona College Gaels, strolled into the Mulcahy Gym on the campus in his Iona basketball sweats for the team’s “Selection Sunday” viewing party that welcomed faculty, alumni, students and fans.

One of the fans of the MAAC’s seventh-leading scorer Armand was shy, little 7-year-old Gianna Verrier.

He walked over to her, gave her a high-five, embraced the young Gael fan and took a picture with her.

That’s how all the basketball players acted. They signed posters and basketballs, high-fived all their young fans and took countless pictures with them as they waited to hear who they will play in the first round of the NCAA tournament.

Brian Beyrer, associate athletic director at Iona, said the event happened after a couple of meetings with athletics, alumni and advancement and office of student development.

It brought everyone together to celebrate Iona’s championship season, said Beyrer.

The packed gym celebrated with the team after they found out they will play Ohio State in Dayton, OH, this Friday.

When Armand was asked if he was worried about going up against the No. 2 seed Ohio State in their backyard, he replied, “I’m not worried about nothin’. I’m just ready to play.”

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