JERSEY CITY, N.J. (1010 WINS) — Jersey City came out Friday to cheer for their hometown heroes, the Saint Peter's Peacocks, whose men's basketball team made history.
From sports fans to novices, their Cinderella story finish, in which they became the first number 15 seed to reach the NCAA Tournament's Elite Eight, drew national attention.
Proud alumni, fans, students and neighbors of the university lined the parade route on JFK Boulevard on Friday afternoon to show their support for their outstanding achievement and to celebrate now-outgoing coach, Shaheen Holloway.
Members of the Saint Peter's Peacocks men's basketball team make their way down the parade route on JFK Boulevard on Friday afternoon.Roger Stern
"We made history!" said Holloway, who has since been named Seton Hall's men's basketball coach.
Denise, a fan who works for the school, said the recognition for the small Jesuit school is incredible.
"[The] best part of it is that a small school like this is blowing up all over the map," she said. "These kids did extraordinary."
One of the school's most famous alumni, Sen. Bob Menendez, told the crowd he loves bragging to colleagues in the Senate and saying, "How about those Peacocks?"
The coaches and team were presented with a key to the city in front of the university for their glory.
Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop hands out keys to the city to the Peacock's coaches and players during Friday's celebration.Roger Stern
Team forward KC Ndefo said all the fanfare was "a great moment."
"This is just a great moment," he said. "It was a great moment. Thank you for everything. Thank you guys."
