10 years ago today:
“Move over, Butler. Virginia Commonwealth University is crashing the Final Four.
Two weeks ago, the 11th-seeded Rams so doubted they would get an NCAA tournament invite that they watched Cartoon Network and went out for burgers instead of watching the selection show. Now, all of America will be watching them in the Final Four.
The 11th-seeded Rams are heading to Houston, and final No. 1 seed Kansas is heading home after the biggest March upset in years.
VCU stunned the Jayhawks 71-61 on Sunday, becoming just the third 11th seed to make the Final Four. The Jayhawks had been the last top seed standing, but what looked like an easy path to the final weekend ended in a stunning collapse.”
Sad to say, but I attribute the recent collapse of my once beloved hometown to this moment.
Before VCU beat Kansas and made it to the Final Four, Richmond was a pretty insular, gritty, tattoo’d hipster enclave.
Those who lived there knew how special it was.
But VCU making it to The Show brought a whole new level of attention to the city.
It became a destination.
A place to be.
And that brought visitors.
Who stayed.
And who changed the politics of the city.
It was an amazing moment for those of us who loved the city.
But it was probably the worst thing that could ever have happened to it…
Song Of Ajax 
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