Final Four Fever Hits Bridgewater

With the college basketball season coming to a close, folks headed out to bars throughout New Jersey Saturday to watch college teams compete in the NCAA basketball finals.

As Virginia Commonwealth University took on Butler in a semi-final matchup, a VCU alumna watched the game with interest. Warren resident Nancy Sapanara, a graduate of VCU Medical College of Virginia, joined others at the , watching the game with interest.

“We never thought we’d be affiliated with a school in the Final Four,” said Sapanara, who graduated in 1996. “It’s nice to be on the map. It used to be VC Who.”

Across the bar, Michigan State alumni Gerry Prentki, of Bedminster, and Gary Jackett, of Princeton, watched the game. Prentki said he favored VCU because Butler beat Michigan State.

Basking Ridge David Cutler, a graduate of the University of Kentucky, placed a University of Kentucky gnome he named “Baby Rupp” on the bar in a place of honor.

“I’m very excited, of course,” he said. “I love my Wildcats.”

Fellow Kentucky graduate Faye Britsch, of Bridgewater, was also excited about the Wildcats.

“They’ve done well for a young team,” she said.

Joe DiChiara, owner of the Green Knoll Grille, said a lot of people come out to the bar to watch the games.

“It’s always a good crowd, especially for the Final Four,” he said. 

Matt deWolf, of Hillsborough, said he was routing for  “everyone but UConn.”

“My brackets are shot,” he admitted.