Kennesaw State University alumni, students, and supporters gathered at Portland’s Moda Center on March 20 as the Owls men’s basketball team faced Gonzaga in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament’s West Regional. The event marked another milestone for KSU athletics, following their recent Conference USA tournament championship.
The presence of KSU fans in Oregon highlights the growing reach and enthusiasm of Owl Nation. According to the Office of Alumni and Constituent Engagement, more than 3,000 Kennesaw State alumni live on the West Coast, with over 300 residing in Oregon and about 240 in the Portland area. This strong turnout was evident as cheerleaders, pep band members, student super fans known as the KSU Bananas, and many others supported their team during March Madness.
Forest Callaway, a 2017 graduate and director of event production at Moda Center, said he was excited to welcome his alma mater to his home venue. “We have a lot of Gonzaga fans around here, and me being one of the few KSU people out here – when he told me that, I was like, ‘That’s awesome!’ I knew that I’d make sure I’m working that game so I can see everybody,” Callaway said.
Longtime supporter Mel Clemmons noted how much confidence has grown within the program since its first NCAA Tournament appearance in 2023. “We have a lot more confidence this time – the players, the fans, Coach Antoine Pettway,” Clemmons said. He also pointed out that former player Chris Youngblood—now with an NBA two-way contract—met with current team members during their visit.
Despite a narrow loss to Gonzaga (73-64), optimism remains high among Owls supporters. Senior marketing major Collin Sheppard reflected on how other teams’ fans recognized KSU gear this year compared to previous tournaments. Sheppard said he prepared for the matchup by watching videos of Gonzaga during his flight west.
Since joining Conference USA in July 2024, Kennesaw State has won five conference championships across various sports. Clemmons believes these achievements signal a bright future: “We’ve been here twice in the past four seasons, which is great for a program our size,” he said. “But we’re not done building.”
