Lincoln Chafee: “yesterday, many in America honored St. Patrick--but all week long in Rhode Island--veneration belongs to the University…”

“yesterday, many in America honored St. Patrick--but all week long in Rhode Island--veneration belongs to the University of Rhode Island Rams basketball team. The so-called experts said it couldn't be done--and, admittedly, the odds were against them. After all, the little Rhodys of the world just aren't supposed to beat the college basketball powerhouses like the Jayhawks of Kansas. But somewhere along the way to Oklahoma City, someone forgot to tell that to the Rhode Island Rams. Someone forgot to tell Tyson Wheeler--the same Tyson Wheeler who was once told he was too short to play college basketball at all--that the Davids of Rhode Island couldn't beat the Goliaths of Kansas. Someone forgot to tell that to Cuttino Mobley, who always gives his best whether it is in Keaney Gym or in the national spotlight, that Rhode Island couldn't beat one of the best teams in the nation. And clearly, someone forgot to tell Antonio Reynolds-Dean and Luther Clay that they weren't supposed to be able to compete with the much taller and perhaps stronger inside presence of the Kansas All- Americans. There's a word on Rhode Island's state flag that these Rhode Island Rams have come to symbolize--that word is ``Hope''. It's a sentiment we hold dear in my home state--and one which was displayed for all the world to see. We may be the smallest state, but we know that means: we must always try harder. It's a philosophy to always give your very best, and to never give up.”